In photos: Treehouse-inspired venue under construction in Metairie
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Bird's Nest Learning Pavilion is expected to open in January 2024. Rendering: Courtesy of Jefferson Parish Council
Jefferson Parish officials broke ground this week on a treehouse-inspired venue at Bucktown Harbor on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.
- They also started construction on a "paddle canal" to help kayakers and canoers enter the lake easier.
Driving the news: The Bird's Nest Learning Pavilion will be a two-story outdoor classroom that overlooks the new marsh boardwalk and the lake, according to a statement from Councilmember Jennifer Van Vrancken.
- It will include multiple tree sculptures that tower over the observation deck.
By the numbers: The pavilion project is expected to cost $1.4 million, funded by grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Van Vrancken says.
- Principal Engineering and Joseph Furr Design Studio designed the pavilion and Cobalt Construction is the builder.
Meanwhile, the Bucktown Harbor Paddle Canal is also under construction.
- It's designed as a protected launch for paddlers to enter the lake and use the milelong recreational blueway when that's finished.
- The blueway will be a 20-foot-wide water path that connects Bucktown Harbor with the Bonnabel Boat Launch.
By the numbers: The paddle canal is expected to cost $1.6 million.
- It's funded by a federal grant from the National Park Service with a 50% match from Jefferson Parish's Council District 5, GOMESA and the parish's Department of Parks & Recreation.
- It was designed by Digital Engineering & Imaging and Joseph Furr Design Studio. LA Contracting Enterprises is doing the construction.
What's next: The two projects are expected to be finished in January 2024.
- Read more about the master plan for the Bucktown Harbor.
