NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Hancock Whitney in partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) and KABOOM! revealed a new kid-designed playground at the Milne Recreation Center. Located within the Milneburg/Gentilly neighborhood, the playground ensures children have a safe and educational place to play. This new build marks the fourth playground project Hancock Whitney has built alongside KABOOM!, a national nonprofit organization working to end playspace inequity.
The project is part of Hancock Whitney’s continued purpose of creating positive opportunities for the residents of the communities the bank serves. Supporting the bank’s commitment to financial education, the new playspace features fun, playful learning experiences that incorporate elementary-level math and literacy concepts.
“At Hancock Whitney, we believe that kids can be the catalyst to building stronger communities and these play spaces are critical for physical and mental health, providing an outlet for imagination, creativity and just being a kid,” said Hancock Whitney Regional President Liz Hefler in a release about the playground. “This initiative is about creating opportunities for kids to imagine bright futures – and we hope they learn a little while they play.”
More than 125 volunteers from Hancock Whitney, NORD, and the local New Orleans community came together to transform the space, which now includes an ADA accessible swing set, imaginative play spaces, as well as math and literacy games to introduce important financial education concepts.
The KABOOM! playground planning began in February 2025, with design sessions including both local children and adults who shared their input and discussed goals for the space. Consistent with Hancock Whitney’s aim of introducing financial education concepts to children, attendees participated in a budgeting experience on Design Day, challenging students to “build” a playground while staying within budget.
“Children everywhere deserve a fun, safe, and robust area to play with their families and friends, said New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) CEO Larry Barabino, Jr. “We are thrilled to have this new playspace at Milne Playground and are grateful for companies like Hancock Whitney and KABOOM! for demonstrating just how much can be done when like-minded, mission-driven entities come together to better our communities.”
