New Orleans opens the first phase of the Riverfront for All park tomorrow, completing a project that's been in the works for more than a decade.

• Audubon officials gave us a first look before it opens to the public.

Why it matters: The Audubon Nature Institute, which manages the public-private partnership, hopes to build on the momentum and add a second phase along the Mississippi River.

The big picture: Leaders will cut the ribbon tomorrow on the Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, making it one of the country's longest contiguous riverfront parks.

• The 2.25-mile path connects Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park.
• The project was originally budgeted at $15 million, but Audubon president and CEO Michael Sawaya says costs ballooned to $30 million during the pandemic.
• The city picked up the difference using bond proceeds, Sawaya says. For the original $15 million, New Orleans & Co. paid $2 million, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center contributed $9 million, and Audubon put in $4 million.

State of play: The park is part of a larger vision to make the waterfront more accessible to residents and visitors.

• Recent examples include the redevelopment of Spanish Plaza, the conversion of the World Trade Center into the Four Seasons hotel and the opening of the Canal Street Ferry Terminal.
• The Riverfront District further upriver is in the works, with plans for Shell's Gulf headquarters, apartments and a civil rights museum.

Zoom in: The first phase of the riverfront park converted the Gov. Nicholls Wharf into a green space with a covered event space, according to Jackson Kerby, Audubon's vice president of construction.

Zoom out: Audubon has begun visualizing phase two, which would redevelop the Esplanade Avenue Wharf by the end of 2030 into an entertainment district.

• It could look like South Market, with a space packed with restaurants, bars and shops.
• "Everything's on the table," Sawaya says, adding that Audubon is talking with developers already. Public meetings will come next to get input.

By the numbers: The second phase could cost $40 million to $50 million, Sawaya says, but the budget won't be set until plans are finalized.

• The plan should be ready by the end of next year.

Gator playground photos

The park is built on top of Gov. Nicholls Wharf's concrete deck, with the Mississippi River flowing underneath.

• Audubon trucked in heaps of dirt to make reinforced lawns, which use small fiber strips to make them more resilient for festivals, Kerby says.
• Crews released 1,500 worms into the lawns to help with soil health, she says.
• They also planted trees that can tolerate strong winds.

Zoom in: The covered event space has public bathrooms and can hold several hundred people.

• Audubon plans to open a concession stand there within the next six months. Until then, food trucks will be at the park.

If you go: The multi-use path is open for walkers, runners and cyclists.

• The dog-friendly park has a marsh-themed playground, water misters, swinging benches and shade structures.
• Plus, there's a grove where poles are installed for users to hang their own hammocks.
• An obelisk lights up at night to match the Crescent City Connection bridge.

What's next: The park opens to the public at 11am tomorrow. The main public entrance from the French Quarter is at St. Philip Street.

Event space photos

🎓 Sterling K. Brown will give Tulane's commencement speech next month. He's known for his roles in "This is Us" and "Paradise." (Press release)

• Meanwhile, Dillard will give honorary degrees to New Orleans Tribune co-founder Beverly Stanton McKenna and retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russell L. Honoré at its May 9 commencement ceremony.

🙏 A driver crashed into a crowd at a New Iberia parade, injuring at least 19 people. He faces several charges, including driving while impaired. (KATC)

✈️ Airport security lines appeared to be moving faster yesterday than they have been at MSY, based on updates from Reddit. Sundays and Mondays are the airport's busiest departure days.

• Officials say TSA agents got backpay last week, so callouts have improved. ICE agents continue to assist with security too.
• The New Orleans airport has had among the highest callout rates in the country in recent weeks, meaning agents were calling out sick instead of working without pay.

⛴️ The Algiers Ferry is running again. It was closed last week for a construction project. (Facebook)

🏃🏽 Rolando Ortiz, a recent McNeese grad, won the Crescent City Classic. Annie LeHardy of New Orleans won the women's division. (Fox 8)

Happy Bananas Foster Day!

Fun fact: Ella Brennan invented this dessert in 1951 when she reached for the rum to impress a breakfast patron — Richard Foster, who was about to be the city's crime commissioner.

• The dish is now recreated by chefs across the globe.

Zoom in: Brennan's goes through 45,000 pounds of bananas annually and makes 250-300 servings each day, we're told.

• It's the most-ordered dish on the menu.

What's next: The French Quarter restaurant celebrates all day with specialty banana cocktails.

• The courtyard party starts at 4pm with free tastings for the first 75 guests, celebrity hosts, a flame competition and the crowning of the Banana King.