The site is where New Orleans was born: a portage point between the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain for Native Americans, the “batture” riverbank during the earliest French settlement, and a bustling commercial wharf for nearly two centuries until the 1970s. Reclaimed for the public as Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, the site now connects five surrounding neighborhoods and creates a unique gathering place for the city to celebrate and reconnect with the mighty river. Through its partnership with Audubon Nature Institute, Crew will re-energize the riverfront, bringing back a civic treasure for locals to enjoy and creating a must-see destination for visitors. 

The Pincus brothers’ winning proposal for Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park draws on over ten years’ experience revitalizing the New York City waterfront. Collaborating with city leaders, municipal agencies, and major non-profits, Crew has developed and operated transformative waterfront destinations in Hudson River Park, Governor’s Island, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. 
Their celebrated restaurants include Grand Banks, The Yacht Club, Fireboat, Drift In, and Montero’s in New York, plus Seaworthy and the recently opened Holywater in New Orleans. 

Raised along Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John, the Pincus brothers are lifelong sailors and have built their restaurants and bars to share the spirit of maritime adventure. Their latest partnership with Audubon represents a meaningful homecoming for them, combining their deep experience in creating world-class waterfront destinations with their bones-deep connection to New Orleans. 

“Like many New Orleanians, Miles and I grew up on the water, and ever since we were little kids, the Mississippi has called us to its banks,” said Alex Pincus, Crew’s CEO. “The opportunity to help bring this extraordinary stretch of riverfront back into the everyday lives of New Orleanians is incredibly meaningful to us. We've always believed that the best waterfront destinations are places where nature, culture, and history intersect, and that's exactly what we hope to do here. We want to create a place that feels like it belongs in the city and to the city, where neighbors from across New Orleans can get together, reconnect with the river, and be at home.” 

“Crew’s selection as Audubon’s partner for this space reflects its proven experience creating exceptional destinations across the country, combined with a deep appreciation for local heritage and an innate understanding of what makes New Orleans so unique,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Audubon Nature Institute CEO and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership. “Sweeping city views, passing ships, and cooling river breezes will make this an experience unlike anywhere else in the world. We are confident in Crew’s ability to create an extraordinary setting for food, drink, and connection along the riverfront, helping us fulfill our promise of creating a welcoming, vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike.” 

As part of the partnership, Crew will oversee hospitality operations at the park's pavilion and provide food and beverage service for festivals and events, bringing its experience in waterfront dining and large-scale gatherings to the park's cultural life. Together, Audubon and Crew envision a destination that encourages connection and enhances the park's role as a gathering place for residents and visitors from across the city. 

The partnership marks an important milestone in the ongoing transformation of New Orleans' riverfront. Through its Riverfront for All initiative, Audubon transformed the former Governor Nicholls Street Wharf into six acres of public green space, helping create a continuous, two-and-a-quarter-mile connection from Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park. Shaded seating, a marsh-themed playground, and the pavilion now welcome the public onto a stretch of the Mississippi that remained inaccessible for generations. More than an expansion of public green space, the park creates meaningful connections between neighborhoods and restores access to river views that have long been central to the city's identity. 

Audubon Nature Institute operates a network of attractions, parks, nature trails, and research facilities including Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, and Audubon Zoo. Its work spans wildlife conservation, protection of native Louisiana habitats, education, and public recreation. Crew brings a complementary commitment to sustainable seafood, historic preservation, and healthy waterways, including its longstanding partnership with Billion Oyster Project and its Save Our Stripers campaign to restore Atlantic striped bass populations. 

Together, Audubon and Crew are helping shape the next chapter of New Orleans' relationship with the Mississippi, creating a place where neighborhoods meet, communities gather, and the river once again becomes part of everyday life. 

Additional details about Crew's forthcoming waterfront restaurant and bar will be announced closer to opening. 
 

This morning, Audubon officials joined with business and City leaders to introduce the community to the park. Among them, former Mayor Mitch Landrieu who represented the Landrieu family in celebrating the new park and expansion of the Moonwalk, named for his late father Mayor Moon Landrieu who long championed the growth along the riverfront.

Mayor Helena Moreno spoke about the importance of the park for the city’s future.

“This is what progress looks like, turning underused spaces into community assets, strengthening our neighborhoods, and creating places where people can come together and experience the spirit of New Orleans every day,” said Mayor Helena Moreno.

The new park provides contiguous public access to the Mississippi River from Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park, spanning two and a quarter miles and making it one of the longest contiguous riverfront parks in the country.

“New Orleans has always been a riverfront city, and today, for the first time in generations, people can truly enjoy walking along this stretch of the river. This park not only reconnects neighbors and visitors with the river itself but also represents a long-awaited milestone for the city. We believe it will become a powerful driver for tourism and economic growth in the years ahead,” said Michael J. Sawaya, CEO of Audubon Nature Institute and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership.

Development of the park followed extensive research and public input on ways to best utilize the riverfront. Audubon Nature Institute worked with nationally recognized designers EskewDumezRipple and Hargreaves Jones to bring the park to reality.

Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park will be open Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Planning for the next phase of construction along the riverfront will begin later this year and will include the demolition of part of the warehouse at the Esplanade Street Wharf.

A ribbon cutting for this latest phase of Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park is set for April 7, 2026, highlighting what the new space brings to the community, and its role in connecting the riverfront with multiple New Orleans neighborhoods. The park will open to the public on April 16, 2026. 

The name Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park honors the lasting impact of the Goldring Family and the Woldenberg Foundations, whose support has been instrumental in transforming the downtown New Orleans riverfront into a destination of public green spaces and cultural attractions.

After extensive study and research on ways to best utilize the riverfront, Audubon Nature Institute worked with nationally known designers EskewDumezRipple and Hargreaves Jones to develop the six-acre park. It will provide New Orleans residents and visitors with access to the riverfront at Governor Nicholls for the first time in generations.

The new park provides continuous public access to the Mississippi River from Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park, spanning two and a quarter miles and making it one of the longest contiguous riverfront parks in the country. 

“Experiencing the river here offers a glimpse into the city’s earliest days when it served as the backbone of the local economy. Transforming former working warehouses into a vibrant, accessible green space will make a meaningful impact on our community. This park plays a key role in revitalizing the riverfront and creating lasting benefits for future generations. We look forward to welcoming local residents and visitors to this new space where they can connect with the city’s rich history, enjoy nature, and spend time together,” said Michael J. Sawaya, CEO of Audubon Nature Institute and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership.

Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park will be open Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. The new phase is the second of three planned expansions. Planning for the final phase will begin later this year and will include the demolition of part of the warehouse at the Esplanade Street Wharf.

Set to open this spring, the new park segment features lush landscaping, shade trees, river-facing seating, and a marsh-themed playground inspired by Louisiana’s natural environment. Play structures shaped like native animals — including turtles, alligators, and fish — invite exploration, while misting features create cooling, cloud-like effects for visitors of all ages.

For the first time in generations, the project will provide continuous public access to the Mississippi River from Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park, spanning nearly 2¼ miles and making it one of the longest contiguous riverfront parks in the country.

The entire riverfront carries the name Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, honoring the lasting impact of the Goldring Family and the Woldenberg Foundations, whose support has been instrumental in transforming the downtown New Orleans riverfront into a destination of public green spaces and cultural attractions.

“The Mississippi riverfront is the front porch of our city — an open, welcoming place for both residents and visitors,” said Michael J. Sawaya, CEO of Audubon Nature Institute and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership. “From the city’s earliest days, the river has shaped New Orleans’ history. This new linear park and space invites visitors to experience the rhythm of the river, connect with nature, and gather with friends and family, creating a shared space that links neighborhoods and celebrates our culture.”

Designed to maximize views of the Mississippi River, the park includes both swinging and stationary benches oriented toward the river, along with hammock stations that encourage relaxation along the riverbank. Shaded seating areas near the playground allow parents and caregivers to comfortably watch children at play.

This phase of Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park is scheduled to open in April 2026. The original section of the park adjacent to Audubon Aquarium opened in 1989. The next phase of construction will include the demolition of the warehouse at the Esplanade Wharf, with planning for that phase expected to begin later this year.