Oh, The Places You’ll Play

OH,

THE PLACES

YOU’LL PLAY

What do local parents want when looking for a new playground? Is it how many swings or slides it has? What about location and safety? According to our Best Playgrounds survey, parents say it’s less about equipment and more about comfort level.

Of the total parents we asked, how safe the playground felt (factoring in fenced-in areas, gated access, and neighborhood) was the No. 1 choice, far outpacing proximity to school or their own neighborhoods. Cleanliness of the grounds and bathrooms came in second, but actually providing bathrooms nearby came in fourth after the elusive shaded areas.

Tying with bathrooms at fourth were the types of equipment or activities offered, just above seating areas/picnic tables for adults. The least-mentioned factor when looking for a playground was whether or not accessibility options are provided for children with disabilities.

Which playgrounds live up to these standards? New Orleans is arguably full of contradictions, and it’s playgrounds are no different. Alma Peters Playspot, the most mentioned playground in our survey doesn’t have bathrooms or even a moderate variety of equipment. But it does have community. It’s right in the middle of a huddled Uptown neighborhood. A compact play structure and a row of swings are the only permanent equipment. Two City Park playgrounds, Stanly Ray and Sir Cumference, came in a close second. Two Northshore playgrounds, Koop Drive/Kids Konnection and Bogue Falaya Wayside Park took the next two spots over New Orleans’ Danneel Playground, Washington Square Park, and Wisner Playground.

Percentages represent the number of times an amenity or playground was chosen compared to the total number of survey respondents.

AMENITIES

Alma Peters 27.5%

Stanley Ray Playground, City Park 20%

Sir Cumference Playground, City Park 20%

Koop Drive/Kids Konnection 17.5%

Bogue Falaya Wayside Park 7.5%

Danneel Playground 5%

Washington Square Park 5%

Wisner Park 5%

PLAYGROUNDS

Safety 37.5%

Cleanliness 27.5%

Shade 20%

Variety of Equipment 17.5%

Bathrooms 17.5%

Seating/Picnic Tables 10%

Convenient Location 7.5%

Accessibility 2.5%

HEALTH FAMILY & SERVICES

ADOPTION

for additional resources, please visit: adoptnola.com adoptionservices.org americanadoptions.com adoption.state.gov adoptioncouncil.org

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Family Behavioral Health Centers Metairie, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette locations familybehavioralhealthcenter.com Families can find professional understanding and practical solutions to a wide spectrum of behavioral, physiological, emotional, and educational challenges. Services include: psychological evaluations, ADHD and other learning disorders, developmental evaluations, coping with chronic pain, family support during medical crisis or adjustment periods, marriage and family therapy, and more.

COUNSELING SERVICES

Pat Blackwell, Ph.D.

1539 Jackson Ave., Ste. 300, New Orleans 504.581.3933 pelts-kirkhart.com/clinicians/pat-blackwell/ Psychologist Pat Blackwell provides consultation for parents and evaluation for infants, children and adolescents.

Family Behavioral Health Centers

Metairie, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette locations familybehavioralhealthcenter.com Families can find professional understanding and practical solutions to a wide spectrum of behavioral, physiological, emotional and educational challenges. Services include: psychological evaluations, adhd and other learning disorders, developmental evaluations, coping with chronic pain, family support during medical crisis or adjustment periods, marriage and family therapy, and more.

PARENT, FAMILY AND CHILD EDUCATION

Learning Through Play

5 Monplaiser Pl., New Orleans 504.323.5432 Learningthroughplaynola.com LTP provides a playful, supportive and nonjudgmental space for parents & families of all ages to share struggles, ask questions and learn how to manage challenging behaviors and transitions through educational workshops and private coaching.

PEDIATRIC AND FAMILY DENTISTRY

Uptown Pediatric Dentistry

Susan Fallahi, DDS 3715 Prytania St., Ste. 380, New Orleans 504.896.7435 uptownpediatricdentistry.com Comprehensive dental care for infants, toddlers and older children, including those with special needs.

FERTILITY/REPRODUCTION

Vivere-Audubon Surgery Center & Fertility Laboratory

2701 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans 504.564.7965 viverehealth.com/audubon Lindsay Wells, MD, and Eric Laborde, MD, specialize in comprehensive male and female reproductive care.

HOSPITALS

Children’s Hospital

200 Henry Clay Ave., New Orleans 504.899.9511 chnola.org

East Jefferson General Hospital

Woman & Newborn Services 4200 Houma Blvd., Metairie 504.503.5555 ejgh.org

Ochsner Medical Center – Multiple Locations

Main Campus 1514 Jefferson Hwy, Jefferson 1.866.624.7637 Baptist Campus 2700 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans 504.899.9311 Kenner Campus 180 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner 504.468.8600 Northshore Campus 100 Medical Center Dr., Slidell 985.649.7070 Westbank Campus 2500 Belle Chasse Hwy., Gretna 504.392.3131 ochsner.org

Touro Infirmary

1401 Foucher St., New Orleans 504.897.7011 touro.com Known by locals as “the place where babies come from,” Touro is a hospital offering comprehensive health care services.

Tulane Medical Center

1415 Tulane Ave., New Orleans 504.988.5253 tulanehealthcare.com

Tulane-Lakeside Hospital for Women & Children

4700 S. I-10 Service Rd. W., Metairie 504.780.8282 tulanelakeside.com

West Jefferson Medical Center

1101 Medical Center Blvd., Marrero 504.347.5511

LICE REMOVAL

The Critter Cure

504.598.6084 thecrittercure.com The Critter Cure provides effective head lice treatment and nit removal services in the privacy of your own home.

Nitpicking in NOLA

504.258.6091 nitpickinginnola.com South Louisiana’s first lice removal company, in business since 2010. We come to you! Discreet. Confidential. Guaranteed.

PET CARE

Metairie Small Animal Hospital

101 Metairie Rd., Metairie (Main Hospital) Multiple clinic locations (Freret, Kenner, Lakeview, West Esplanade, and Marigny) msah.com

Southshore Animal Hospital

213 Live Oak St., Metairie 2221 Transcontinental Dr., Ste. B, Metairie 504.831.7724 (Live Oak), 504.887.1770 (Transcontinental) southshoreanimal.com We provide your pets with the most advanced medical care a large hospital can with the personal attention you deserve.

PARENT/CHILD CLASSES

The Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital

938 Calhoun St., New Orleans 504.896.9591 chnola.org/theparentingcenter Family resources, two drop-in centers, parenting guidance, coaching and classes, resource library and referral services, parent-child enrichment activities.

PEDIATRIC SERVICES

Collins Pediatrics

2017 Metairie Rd., Metairie 7211 Regent St., Ste. B, New Orleans 504.832.8022 collinspediatrics.com

Hales Pediatrics

3525 Prytania St., Ste. 602, New Orleans 504.897.0744 halespediatrics.com Hales Pediatrics provides medical care from infancy through adolescent years. We provide the highest quality care in an environment that keeps children feeling happy and safe.

Lake Vista Pediatrics

6517 Spanish Fort Blvd., New Orleans 504.283.7306 lakevistapeds.com

Napoleon Pediatrics

3700 St. Charles Ave. Ste. 707 504.897.4242 chnola.org/Pediatrics/NapoleonUptown

Tulane Pediatric & Adolescent Clinic

4740 S. I-10 Service Rd. W., Ste. 300, Metairie (504) 780-8282 tulanelakeside.com/service/pediatric

PRIMARY CARE

Touro Clinics

Multiple Locations 504.897.7197 touro.com/CrescentCityPhysicians Touro Clinics has over 70 providers in 25 clinic locations throughout New Orleans and the surrounding areas, providing services in eight specialties. Our goal is to provide comprehensive quality care in a friendly and comfortable environment.

THERAPY

Gulfsouth Autism Center

7252 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans, 504.323.3450 3013 27th St., Metairie, 504.291.6200 9063 Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge, 225.294.1600 gulfsouthautismcenter.com Providing comprehensive treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders. Our early intervention program incorporates one-on-one ABA services with group speech and occupational therapy.

Therapeutic Learning Center

3329 Metairie Rd., Metairie 504.565.7300 tlcnola.com TLC is a pediatric occupational therapy clinic dedicated to improving the well-being of children throughout the New Orleans area. TLC Nola supports all children to enhance learning and development from infancy through high school.

URGENT CARE

In & Out Urgent Care – Old Metairie

100 N. Labarre Road, Metairie 504.827.1717 inandouturgentcare.com Next door to Planet Fitness, In & Out Urgent Care – Old Metairie provides personable, affordable and convenient quality care to patients in need of non-life-threatening conditions. Feel Better Faster.

In & Out Urgent Care – Uptown

6225 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans 504.864.8080 inandouturgentcare.com

Across the street from Tulane University’s football stadium, In & Out Urgent Care – Uptown provides personable, affordable and convenient quality care to patients in need of non-lifethreatening conditions. Feel Better Faster.

LCMC Health Urgent Care

Algiers: 3801 General DeGaulle Dr., New Orleans, 504.362.2829 Clearview: 1105 S. Clearview Pkwy., New Orleans, 504.676.5550 Covington: 70340 Hwy. 21, Covington, 985.888.1117 Gretna: 2600 Belle Chasse Hwy. B-2, Gretna, 504.349.2273 Lakeview: 826 Harrison Ave., New Orleans, 504.309.7108 Marrero: 4945 LaPalco Blvd., Marrero, 504.301.2825 LCMChealthUrgentCare.com LCMC Health Urgent Care is convenient walkin care for minor injury and illness with 6 locations to serve you.

WELLNESS

Learning Through Play

5 Monplaiser Pl., New Orleans 504.323.5432 learningthroughplaynola.com LTP provides a playful, supportive, and nonjudgmental space for parents and families of all ages to share struggles, ask questions, and learn how to manage challenging behaviors and transitions through educational workshops and private coaching.

Women’s Health – OB/GYN

See “Pregnancy” category