Facility Overview
Oakwood Center - JCPenney West provides extensive open-air surface parking positioned directly outside the JCPenney anchor wing of the renowned Oakwood Center in Terrytown, Louisiana. Located along Van Trump Street near the intersection of the Westbank Expressway, this spacious lot serves shoppers, diners, and visitors across Jefferson Parish and the greater New Orleans metropolitan area. Because the facility is entirely an open surface lot with wide driving aisles and standard stalls, there are no overhead height barriers or vertical clearance limitations. This makes it an ideal, stress-free option not only for standard sedans, compacts, and crossovers, but also for lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, service vans, and vehicles equipped with roof cargo boxes or bicycle racks.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Positioned on the vibrant West Bank of the Mississippi River, this parking area sits mere steps from Oakwood Center’s premier retail and dining lineup, including JCPenney, Dillard\'s, specialty boutiques, and a lively food court. Beyond the immediate shopping concourse, the lot provides convenient staging for exploring neighboring attractions throughout Terrytown and Historic Gretna. Gretna Green Covered Bridge and the German-American Cultural Center are less than five minutes away by car, while the bustling Gretna Cultural Center for the Arts regularly hosts community concerts and theatrical performances. Furthermore, thanks to its proximity to the Crescent City Connection bridge, major downtown New Orleans attractions—including the Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and the French Quarter—are easily reachable within an 8 to 12-minute drive.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Access to the lot is straightforward from Van Trump Street, Wright Avenue, and Terry Parkway, with direct feeder links off US-90 Business (the Westbank Expressway). Ingress and egress are smooth, even during holiday shopping seasons, thanks to multiple curb cuts and expansive perimeter access lanes that prevent bottlenecking. For transit riders, Jefferson Transit (JeT) operates regular bus service along Terry Parkway and the Westbank Expressway, providing direct connections to local neighborhoods and transfer points into downtown New Orleans. Rideshare pick-up and drop-off zones are readily accessible right outside the main JCPenney exterior entrance.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Spacious, open-air surface parking with generous drive lanes and marked stalls
- Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating tall trucks, vans, and utility vehicles
- Complimentary self-parking with no validation or payment meters required for mall patrons
- Dedicated ADA-accessible parking spaces located adjacent to the JCPenney mall entrance
- Overhead high-mast lighting illuminating the lot throughout evening hours
- Surveillance patrols and presence coordinated by Oakwood Center security
- Immediate walking access to mall entrance doors, indoor climate control, and restrooms
Ideal For
- Shoppers visiting JCPenney, Dillard\'s, and the retail stores at Oakwood Center
- West Bank diners enjoying nearby restaurants along Terry Parkway and the Westbank corridor
- Local commuters seeking convenient staging prior to crossing the Crescent City Connection
- Drivers operating oversized vehicles, large work trucks, or vans that cannot clear standard parking garages
Visitor & Driver Tips
Parking in the JCPenney West lot is complimentary for center patrons. During peak holiday shopping weekends and major sales events, spaces closest to the store entrance fill quickly; drivers looking for an easier exit often prefer parking closer to the Van Trump Street perimeter. If you plan to head into downtown New Orleans after your visit, check real-time traffic conditions across the Crescent City Connection bridge on US-90 Business to ensure smooth travels across the river.
