Lafreniere Park is the largest park in Metairie, Louisiana. The park is funded by local residents surrounding the park, and a few dollars are added onto their water bill every month. Nicolas Chauvin de la Frenière received a 5,000 acre land grant from Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, which he used to settle with his family. The plantation was t…Lafreniere Park is the largest park in Metairie, Louisiana. The park is funded by local residents surrounding the park, and a few dollars are added onto their water bill every month. Nicolas Chauvin de la Frenière received a 5,000 acre land grant from Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, which he used to settle with his family. The plantation was then passed on to Nicolas Chauvin de Lafreniere, Jr. who later became Louisiana's Attorney General. Nicolas Chauvin de Lafreniere, Jr. organized a revolt against Spanish rule in 1768. He was subsequently executed for his part in the conspiracy on October 25, 1769. The land was confiscated by Alejandro O'Reilly afterwards. On part of this 5,000 acre land grant, the Jefferson Downs Racetrack was eventually built. The Racetrack remained in operation until 1965 when Hurricane Betsy devastated the area. Upon destruction of the track, it was rebuilt near Lake Pontchartrain in Kenner, Louisiana. This left the old site vacant, and the idea of a park for Jefferson Parish was born. Construction started in 1977, and the park was substantially finished and dedicated in 1982.
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