HARD#1

The Hammond Area Recreation District No. 1 (HARD#1) was established in the mid-1990s by the Tangipahoa Parish Council and covers most of the City of Hammond and the Seventh Ward. It is bounded by the Tangipahoa/Livingston Parish Boundary on the west and the Tangipahoa River on the east, while its southern border connects with the Ponchatoula Area Recreation District. Its mission is to provide the finest recreational facilities and programs while offering an exceptional family environment.

The district is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Tangipahoa Parish Council. In November 2010, voters approved a 10-mill proposition, leading to the construction of its first park, Chappapeela Sports Park, which began in February 2011 and officially opened on January 31, 2013.

Funding for HARD#1 comes from taxpayer contributions, program and rental fees, sponsorships, and donations. Taxpayer contributions support repaying the bond that was taken out to build the park, maintenance, upkeep, and utilities.  

Chappapeela Sports Park's programs are self-sustaining with registration fees helping expand youth and adult programs. Fields and courts are available for rental, with proceeds aiding in improvements and accommodating the park's increased usage.  

Through this funding combination, Chappapeela Sports Park has thrived since its grand opening in January 2013 and continues to grow each year. In 2017, the park offered only 2 programs and had limited rentals. As of now, they serve 3,000 families and offer 14 youth programs, 2 adult programs, and over 80 events. They also host three community giveback events each year that aim to provide a fun opportunity for education and resources for the entire community. 

Chappapeela Sports Park hosts an estimated 850,000 plus visitors per year and drives approximately $60 million annually to the local economy making it the number one economic driver in Tangipahoa Parish. 

In 2019, HARD#1 partnered with the Tangipahoa Parish Government to restore C.P. Mitchell Memorial Park making it the second park under the direction of Hammond Area Recreation District #1. C.P. Mitchell Memorial Park is proud to serve a local community of over 1,350 children and adults.

Why the re-brand to HARD#1? 

With Chappapeela Sports Park (CSP) being the only park within the HARD#1 park system, all efforts and messaging came from CSP. Rebranding to HARD#1 within our park system will bring clarity and unity to our identity and allow us to foster stronger connections with our community. By streamlining our image and message under the HARD#1 umbrella, you are sure to experience a consistent experience throughout our park system. It will also provide a central location for you to know everything we have to offer. 

This clarity allows us to better meet the needs of our community while differentiating us from parks in the area. By aligning our parks and programs under HARD#1, we aim to signal growth, unity, and evolution. 

What does this mean for you?

 
With this change, you will have a unified experience throughout our park system and have one place as a source of information for everything the Hammond Area Recreation District #1 has to offer!