November 3, 2025

District Attorney’s Office Celebrates Revival of Historic Hardin Playground Through Data-Driven Community Partnership

NEW ORLEANS — Wednesday, October 29, 2025, District Attorney Jason Williams joined by community partners and a dozen young athletes to celebrate the remarkable transformation of Hardin Playground, a historic Seventh Ward landmark plagued by violence and blight, which now stands as a thriving hub of recreation and hope.

Alongside DA Williams stood Councilmember Eugene Green, Lowrey Crews of the 18th Ward Organization, OPDA Director of Strategic Initiatives Daniel Shanks, Good Shepherd School leaders Thomas Moran and Romero Stewart, Chief of Screening Andre Gaudin, and law enforcement partners from the New Orleans Police Department. Together, they celebrated what DA Williams called “a momentous milestone in restoring life and dignity to one of New Orleans’ most historic communities,” as the group reflected on the collective effort that transformed Hardin Playground from a site of blight and violence into a space filled with opportunity, youth, and pride.

“When we first came here, there weren’t children in this park; there were needles and drug paraphernalia,” said Williams. “But when neighbors, NORD, law enforcement, and community leaders came together, we changed that story. Hardin Playground is living proof that public safety is about more than prosecution; it’s about prevention, collaboration, and giving young people a reason to choose a better path.”

Originally opened in 1941 as the first recreation facility for children of color in New Orleans, Hardin Playground had become a focal point of violent crime and decay by 2024. Through the New Orleans Data-Informed Community Engagement (NODICE) initiative, OPDA analysts identified the area as a priority hotspot after mapping concentrated gun violence in the 5th District.

May–June 2024: OPDA analyzed data showing Hardin Playground as a cluster for gun violence linked to blight, homelessness, and a lack of youth programs.

June 2024: OPDA hosted a NODICE meeting featuring Dr. Angela Chalk to connect data with cultural history, followed by a multi-agency walkthrough with NOPD, NORD, Code Enforcement, Sanitation, and the Health Department.

August 2024: A community town hall drew residents and former Saints player Tyrone Hughes to discuss next steps for revitalization.

Early 2025: Blighted houses along Hope and Allen Streets were demolished; unhoused residents were connected to services.

February 2025: NORD and the 18th Ward hosted an NFL Green tree-planting event with visiting players during Super Bowl week.

Spring 2025: OPDA, NORD, 18th Ward, Ubuntu Village, and other partners launched new sports leagues, employing 16 part-time coaches and enrolling 123 soccer players and 88 flag-football athletes.

“These young people are thriving because adults in this community didn’t just tell them what not to do, they gave them something positive to do,” Williams said. “That’s what prevention looks like.”

The celebration also featured remarks from Daniel Shanks, Director of Strategic Initiatives for OPDA and lead architect of the NODICE program, who underscored how quickly progress can happen when agencies align.

“When we first arrived, there were squatters, loose dogs, and decay,” Shanks said. “Today, there’s development, a championship soccer team, and over 180 kids playing here each week. That’s what partnership makes possible.”

Lowrey Crews, CEO of the 18th Ward organization, spoke about turning recreation into leadership development.

“A young man out here made an interception today, but one day, he’ll be coaching on this same field. Our goal is to hire these kids as teens, teach them to lead, and keep this momentum going.”

Thomas Moran, CEO of The Good Shepherd School, echoed that spirit of shared purpose:

“Good Shepherd is proud to be part of the communities we serve. What you see here today is the power of collaboration, mission-driven people and organizations, from the DA’s Office and NOPD to the 18th Ward, our political leaders, schools, and neighbors, all working together to create opportunity and access for our kids and families. The strength of our communities drives the success of our city, and we’re committed to continuing that work.”

Councilmember Eugene Green praised the effort as a model for how public funding and community partnership can restore pride to long-neglected neighborhoods.

“Just a few years ago, this area was defined by shootings and abandoned homes,” Green said. “Today, neighbors are talking about clean-ups, community associations, and the next season of youth sports. That’s progress worth investing in.”

Andre Gaudin, Chief of Screening for OPDA, added:

“Moments like this are about reclaiming dignity. The people of New Orleans deserve the right to walk their streets, send their children to school, and play in these parks without fear. Public safety is strongest when prosecutors, police, pastors, and parents all stand together.”

Williams emphasized that the Hardin Playground success will serve as a blueprint for other neighborhoods across New Orleans.

“NODICE is about more than data; it’s about people,” Williams said. “When we use data to drive collaboration, and collaboration to restore community, we prove that safety and opportunity can grow side by side.”

• Councilmember Eugene Green (District D)
• Lowrey Crews, The 18th Ward Organization
• Good Shepherd School CEO Thomas Moran & Chief Education Officer Romero Stewart
• NOPD Sergeant Boone & Officer Welch (5th District)
• OPDA Chief of Screening Andre Gaudin
• OPDA Director of Strategic Initiatives Daniel Shanks

Tel: (504) 822-2414 | Email: communications@orleansda.com