Photos: Jefferson Parish is home to fewer kids
Jefferson Parish's aging population
Ron Bertucci and Bonnie McGuinness, longtime volunteers at Delta Playground, walk through the underused west Metairie recreation site on Nov. 16, 2023. Bertucci, who moved to the area in 1960, and McGuiness, who came in 1968, remember when the neighborhood was crawling with kids.
Jefferson Parish's aging population
In its prime, Delta Playground attracted so many children that it could field multiple teams in every age group in?football, basketball, track, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer or cheerleading. These days, its gym is more likely to host adult recreation, as this pickleball game on?Nov. 16, 2023.?
Jefferson Parish's aging population
Mike Mailhos competes in a pickleball game at Delta Playground's gymnasium in Metairie on Nov. 16, 2023. Half the population of the Delta neighborhood was younger than 18 in 1970, but the playground no longer has enough children to field teams in football, basketball, track, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer or cheerleading.
Jefferson Parish's aging population
Bonnie McGuinness and Ron Bertucci, longtime volunteers at Delta Playground in Metairie, stand at the underused west Metairie recreation site on Nov. 16, 2023. Bertucci, who moved to the area in 1960, and McGuiness, who came in 1968, remember when the neighborhood was crawling with kids.
Jefferson Parish's aging population
Herbert Hooper, center, competes in a pickleball game at Delta Playground's gymnasium in Metairie on Nov. 16, 2023. Half the population of the Delta neighborhood was younger than 18 in 1970, but the playground no longer has enough children to field teams in football, basketball, track, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer or cheerleading.
Jefferson Parish's aging population
Mildred S. Harris Elementary School in Bridge City, seen Nov. 15, 2023, is one of six public school campuses that the Jefferson Parish School Board closed at the end of the 2022-23 academic year because of declining enrollment.
Jefferson Parish's aging population
Mildred S. Harris Elementary School in Bridge City, seen Nov. 15, 2023, is one of six public school campuses that the Jefferson Parish School Board closed at the end of the 2022-23 academic year because of declining enrollment.
Jefferson Parish's aging population
In a neighborhood of single-family houses in Old Jefferson, Peristyle Residences is building a group home for 16 older adults, a sign of how Jefferson Parish's overall population is aging. The home, in the 200 block of Central Avenue, is seen Nov. 15, 2023.
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Rajah Marks Jr., 2, plays at his home with Jori Frank, 6, right, in Harvey on Thursday, November 16, 2023. (Photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
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Christa Simpson, center, talks about living in Harvey as Ibrielle Francois, left, and her son, Channing Riley, 13, right, looks on Thursday, November 16, 2023. Francois and family are also Harvey residence. (Photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
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Rajah Marks Jr., 2, plays at his home in Harvey on Thursday, November 16, 2023. (Photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
Jefferson Parish's aging population
Kids jump up and down during a read and sing activity at the West Bank Regional Library in Harvey on Nov. 15, 2023.?