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A jewel of New Orleans City Park, Storyland plays a special part in the hearts of the children of New Orleans and is a part of the childhood memories of many adults.
In Storyland, children can climb aboard Captain Hook’s pirate ship, follow Pinocchio into the mouth of a whale or scamper up Jack & Jill’s hill. Delighting children since the 1950s, this charming themed playground is a child’s dream filled with larger-than-life storybook sculptures featuring classic fairytale characters. Children can have fun, play, and learn all while running under the shade of centuries-old oak trees. Nearly 35 years after the last major renovation, the revitalization will bring in four new exhibits and will update the existing beloved exhibits New Orleanians know so well. City Park temporarily closed the Storyland gates in July 2019 and worked through the summer months to have Storyland ready for Ghosts in the Oaks and Celebration in the Oaks.
City Park’s focus for the revitalization include: incorporating STEM and interactive-play for the whole family, increasing ADA accessibility for more exhibits, and increasing inclusion.
New exhibits include: Humpty Dumpty, Tortoise and the Hare, and Boudreaux the Zydeco Gator. The fourth new exhibit, Jack and the Beanstalk, will open later this fall.
Existing renovated exhibits include: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan’s Pirate Adventure, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Jack and Jill, Pinocchio and the Whale, Cinderella’s Pumpkin, Puff the Magic Dragon slide, Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Old King Cole, and the Storyland Castle. Large enhancements have been made to Alice in Wonderland, Hey Diddle Diddle, the Gingerbread Man’s Candy Lane, and the Little Mermaid, where children and parents alike will be able to drive motorized pirate ships around the pond. There will also be photo opportunities to become an astronaut or a mermaid and children can sit on Anansi the Spider’s back.
The enhanced Hey Diddle Diddle exhibit will now be ADA accessible and will display educational information within the space ship that features the history and diversity of NASA.
This incredible renovation and revitalization was made possible through private funding from individuals and local foundations, with lead support from Friends of City Park and Boysie and Joy Bollinger.
WHEN: Grand ReOpening: Saturday September 28th at noon
LOCATION: 5 Victory Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70124
PRICE: $5/person. Children 36” tall and under receive free admission with paid adult. Friends of City Park members receive free admission