7 Places Near New Orleans for the Perfect Summer Picnic

The Greater New Orleans area offers plenty of summer fun, and a New Orleans picnic is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Planning a family reunion potluck? A sun-soaked day or a romantic date? There are plenty of idyllic picnic spots in New Orleans to experience. Here are a few of our favorites!

Fontainebleau State Park

Residents of Grand Palms in Mandeville love having easy access to the natural beauty of Fontainebleau State Park. The nature trails offer hiking opportunities. Plus, the cabins and lodges are a great staycation getaway. Grab a spot under one of the ancient oak trees, or pick a picnic location overlooking Lake Pontchartrain.

Covington Trailhead

Having a picnic at the Covington Trailhead feels like taking a trip back in time. Located near downtown Covington and close to Artesia, our newest luxury apartment community, the Covington Trailhead resembles an old-fashioned railroad station.

The venue hosts community events, including the Covington Farmers Market every Wednesday.

There are restrooms and water fountains onsite. And the grassy knoll here is an ideal picnic spot.

Lafreniere Park

Conveniently located close to many of our Metairie apartments, Lafreniere Park is an urban oasis.

The apartment communities of Wildflower, Breckenridge, and White Water Creek are closest to the park. But, with its location just off of Veterans Blvd, the park is easily accessible for all.

Lafreniere Park offers 155 acres of outdoor fun, including plenty of beautiful picnic spots. You’ll also find a Frisbee golf course and a Spray Park, which is open Thursday through Sunday from noon-7PM.

New Orleans City Park

Just a short trip from Park Oaks, Breakers, and Surf Rider apartments, New Orleans City Park is one of the largest urban public parks in the country. With 1,300 acres to explore, there are plenty of quiet spots for picnicking. And there are covered pavilions available to rent for larger gatherings.

One of our favorite spots in City Park is Couturie Forest, which features trails perfect for bird-watching.

Laketown

For residents of Sugar Mill East and Sugar Mill West apartments, Laketown is just steps away. This gorgeous park is situated on beautiful Lake Pontchartrain in Kenner.

Laketown is also the home of Treasure Chest Casino and the Coconut Beach Sand Volleyball Complex, the largest sand sports complex in the United States.

Picnic shelters are available for rent, or you can find a spot along the lake shore. A lighted pier also offers the perfect location for freshwater fishing.

John Slidell Park

Just a short drive from Audubon Gates apartments is John Slidell Park. The walking trails in this park are dog-friendly, much like our apartment communities. Here you’ll find plenty of shade for a nice picnic, as well as playgrounds for family fun.

La Salle Park

Many of our apartment communities in Elmwood are close to the scenic La Salle Park, including Sawmill Creek and Walnut Creek. The park is located right next to Zephyr Stadium and features a nature boardwalk, a jogging path, and an outdoor environmental classroom. And there are lots of scenic spots perfect for a picnic!

Have a picnic at home!

Many of our New Orleans area apartments feature beautiful resort-style outdoor features onsite. So you won’t even need to leave home to have a relaxing picnic outdoors! Explore all of our available apartments to find your perfect fit.

---

Alluvia – COMING SOON!

Alluvia 

Welcome to The Alluvia info page! When completed, Alluvia will be a 260-unit luxury community located on Loyola Drive in Kenner near Ochsner Health Center. To learn more about Alluvia, visit our webpage here. 

---

Summertime Recipes

Elevate your summertime flavor with these easy, no-bake recipes! Ideal for those warm days when you want a delicious treat without all the work!

No-Bake Summer Recipes

Savory

Shrimp Cocktail — A spin on the traditional shrimp cocktail, this version calls for creamy, cool avocado and Cholula hot sauce (though we bet you could substitute with Crystal). It also happens to pair perfectly with frozen margaritas!

Ingredients:

• 10 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, and steamed
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup Cholula hot sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup pico de gallo
• 1/2 avocado, cut into chunks
• 2 cilantro sprigs
• tortilla chips to serve

Recipe: 

• Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, ketchup, and hot sauce.
• Add salt, pepper, pico de gallo, avocado, and shrimp. Stir gently to combine.
• Garnish with cilantro and serve with tortilla chips.

Panzanella — This no-cook salad is full of texture and pairs well with a variety of main dishes. You can serve it at room temperature or chilled.

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups cubed country bread
• 1 pound plum tomatoes cut into small pieces
• 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces provolone cheese, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Recipe: 

• Whisk together oil and vinegar; season with salt and pepper.
• Add all ingredients except basil and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (but no more than 8 hours).
• Stir in fresh basil just before serving.

Cantaloupe, Lime & Chili Soup — Complex flavors and a gorgeous color make this the most elegant dish on your summer menu. Plus, it only takes four ingredients!

Ingredients:

• 3-pound cantaloupe
• 3/4 teaspoon sambal oelek (Asian chili paste)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

Recipe: 

• Cut cantaloupe flesh into large chunks and puree with sambal oelek, lime juice, and salt until smooth.
• Refrigerate at least one hour until thoroughly chilled. Serve in a chilled bowl with more sambal oelek, to taste.

Sweet

No-Bake Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies — The recipe pretty much says it all. Yum!

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup Nutella
• 3 cups quick oats

Recipe: 

• Over medium heat, cook sugar, cocoa, milk and margarine. Boil one minute. Remove from heat.
• Stir in vanilla, salt, peanut butter, Nutella and oats. Stir until combined. Drop by teaspoon on wax paper and cool. Refrigerate until chilled, and enjoy.

Ice Cream with Honey-Poached Apricots — Fruity and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 strips peeled lemon zest
• 4 apricots, pitted and quartered
• 1/4 cup toasted coconut

Recipe: 

• Bring water, honey, and lemon zest to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, add apricots and poach until fork tender, about 2-5 minutes.
• Drain apricots, reserving the syrup (remove lemon peels)
• Serve apricots with vanilla ice cream and top with syrup.

No-Bake Strawberry Tart — This elegant dessert is deceptively easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 32 Oreo cookies
• 1/2 stick melted butter
• 7 ounces milk chocolate
• 3.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 7 ounces heavy cream
• 10 ounces fresh strawberries
• Chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, etc), optional, for serving

Recipe: 

• Place Oreo cookies into the bowl of a food processor and blend until crumbs form. Add melted butter and pour over the crushed cookies. Process until evenly moistened. Press cookie mixture with the back of the spoon or fingers into the bottom and edges of a rectangular 5×14 inch tart pan. Freeze until you prepare the filling, just for few minutes.
• In a small saucepan, place cream over medium-low heat for a few minutes to get hot. No boiling or simmering needed. Remove from heat, pour over chopped chocolate and let rest for 1-2 minutes. Stir until dissolved.
• Pour chocolate filling over Oreo crust, and top with fresh strawberries.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.

---

Why You Should Consider Moving to Elmwood Right Now

It’s no secret Jefferson Parish’s Elmwood neighborhood is a shopping destination for residents across the Greater New Orleans Area. Its large shopping center has a great selection of big-box stores, its movie theater boasts 20 screens, and its area attractions include an indoor trampoline park and laser tag venue. In addition to an abundance of amenities, Elmwood is an ideal place for those looking for a quiet and affordable alternative to downtown New Orleans living.

You Can Shop ‘til You Drop

Living in Elmwood makes shopping a breeze. Elmwood Shopping Center is a one-stop shop for all of the items on your shopping list. In one trip, you can find new shoes at DSW, a new dining table at World Market, a television at Best Buy, and more! Instead of having to drive all over town to get the items you need, you can make one trip to one central location and then head right on home! It will save you gas, time, and a lot of patience.

The Great Outdoors are Just Out Your Doors

Elmwood’s little corner of the Mississippi River is a quaint residential area with quick access to paved bike paths, public parks, and recreational spaces. La Salle Park is a well-kept multi-purpose recreational space for sports and nature explorations. Its nature boardwalk winds through native cypress trees, making it a scenic and calming spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

If you’re looking for some two-wheeled fun, the paved levee bike path is a great way to enjoy the action on the river while you get some exercise in. Pack a blanket and some snacks for a riverside picnic, or wind your way over to Oak Street on the outskirts of New Orleans for some good local eats and live music.

The Living’s Easy in Elmwood

Elmwood might be a shopping haven, but it’s also a secluded treasure. Many of our 1^st Lake properties sit tucked away on peaceful, open green areas which provide a feeling of escape and relaxation.

You can unwind poolside at Bella Ridge. You can share a casual and fun afternoon with your dog and your neighbors’ dogs in Clearwater Creek Premier’s gated pet park. You can go for an easy evening stroll alongside the flowing streams of Palmetto Creek. Every one of our Elmwood locations is designed to make you feel like you’re living in a remote luxury retreat.

If you’re considering a move, consider Elmwood as your new neighborhood. With great shopping, great outdoor spaces, and great living communities, you’ll find it easy to settle in and make yourself at home in Elmwood.

---

1st Lake is Eco-Friendly and You Can Be Too!

Here at 1st Lake, we work hard to make every day feel like Earth Day. Check out some of the steps we are taking to be environmentally friendly!

Landscaping

When creating our well-thought-out landscaping plans, we have the earth in mind!

We have over 10,000 trees across all properties.

Trees improve air quality, help with conservation, and more!

LED Lighting

At 1st Lake Properties, we use LED lights which are 80% more efficient than traditional lighting & use less energy.

Less energy usage = a more positive effect on the environment!

Storm Water Management 

Stormwater management reduces the runoff of rainwater in streets & lawns by regulating the collection, storage & movement of stormwater.

We have taken measures to recycle stormwater in our sprinkler systems and lawn care maintenance.

Energy Efficient Appliances 

We use Energy Efficient Appliances across our apartments.

They use technology that is less energy intensive & reduces the amount of electricity used per product.

Reduce Paper Usage

We are actively trying to reduce our paper consumption by providing more paperless options including; online housing & employment applications, work orders, rent payments & more.

We also print on recycled paper!

Looking for ways you can reduce your carbon footprint? Take a look at our tips below! 

1. Unplug your devices.

2. Bring your own reusable bag when you shop.

3. Start a compost.

4. Take shorter showers.

5. Drink from a reusable water bottle or coffee mug.

6. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

Like what you see? Move to a 1st Lake apartment today and together we can make the world a better place, one change at a time! 

---