NEW ORLEANS, LA — District B Councilmember Lesli Harris joined city officials, community partners, and the family of the late Barbara Lacen-Keller on Friday, October 10, to celebrate the grand opening of Barbara Lacen-Keller Park, a new green space honoring one of Central City’s most beloved community leaders.
Once a vacant, unused concrete lot near the Keller Community Center, the space has been transformed through funding secured by Councilmember Harris in the City’s capital budget. The new park features lush landscaping, benches, shade trees, and gathering areas designed to bring joy, connection, and recreation to Central City residents.
“Barbara Lacen-Keller was known as the ‘Mayor of Central City’ for good reason,” said Councilmember Harris. “She dedicated her life to uplifting her neighbors, advocating for youth, and making sure our community was cared for. This park ensures her legacy of leadership and love continues to thrive in the neighborhood she called home.”
“Barbara Lacen-Keller spent her life lifting up her community, and it feels right that this park carries her name,” said Larry Barabino, Jr., CEO of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC). “She believed in bringing people together, creating opportunities, and celebrating the culture that makes New Orleans special. This park will do the same. It will be a place where families can gather, kids can play, and the community can grow. We are proud to honor her legacy and excited for all the memories this park will hold in the years ahead.”
William “Liam” Kraus, PLA, of the Department of Parks and Parkways, and River Scrantz of the CAO’s office spearheaded the effort to secure funding, oversee project management, and assist Thrive New Orleans in the design process for converting concrete surface into green space. “Parkways is proud to contribute to Councilmember Lesli Harris’s vision, Thrive New Orleans’s tireless dedication, and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission’s steadfast commitment to revitalizing this neighborhood park.”
“This park is more than just green space - it’s a symbol of what’s possible when community, partnership, and leadership come together,” said Chuck Morse, Executive Director of Thrive New Orleans. “Barbara Lacen-Keller dedicated her life to improving this neighborhood, and now this park will stand as a safe and welcoming space where families, neighbors, and future generations can thrive.”
The celebration drew dozens of neighbors, city leaders, and community organizations who worked together to make the project possible. A staff member from Congressman Troy Carter’s office presented an official congressional proclamation honoring Mrs. Lacen-Keller’s lifetime of service.
The event also featured remarks from community and civic leaders who played key roles in supporting the project:
- Julius Feltus – Opening Remarks
- Councilmember Lesli Harris – District B
- Michael Karam – Director, Department of Parks and Parkways
- Larry Barabino, Jr., MBA – Chief Executive Officer, NORDC
- Chuck Morse – Executive Director, Thrive New Orleans
- Howard L. Rodgers III – Board member for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation
- Representatives from the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc
- Kelly Dixon, Dawn Bentley-Johnson, and Cantina Rankins – Daughters of Barbara Lacen-Keller, Closing Remarks
The Barbara Lacen-Keller Park project was made possible through collaboration between the Department of Property Management, Parks & Parkways, Thrive New Orleans, and the Office of Youth and Families.
Councilmember Harris specifically thanked her Director of Community Engagement, Matt Schoenberger, for his vision, persistence, and execution of this transformative project.
Barbara Lacen-Keller, who passed away in 2023, spent her life as a tireless advocate for Central City residents. A lifelong New Orleanian and City of New Orleans retiree, she was known for her compassion, dedication to young people, and steadfast leadership in improving the quality of life for families throughout the neighborhood. The ribbon-cutting concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque honoring Mrs. Lacen-Keller’s service and lasting impact.
“Barbara’s legacy is one of love, advocacy, and action,” Harris added. “This park is more than a green space—it’s a living testament to her work and a gift to the people she served so faithfully.”