New Orleans City Park Annual Report Fiscal Year: 2013-2014 "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." – William Shakespeare
Nature is the common thread in City Park's mission to preserve and improve our park for recreational, educational, cultural, and beautification purposes. Whether it's the dancing, sprawling shade of our mature live oaks or the unique sculptural elements found at every turn or the distinct rallying cry of a team scoring on the field, City Park's 1,300 acres of outdoor space provides a magnificent backdrop.
As one of the nation's oldest urban parks, City Park is a beauty growing stronger and more vibrant by the year. History whispers from the 800-year-old grand oak, the dancing platform of the Peristyle, and the antique Carousel's hand-painted, wooden "flying horses." The present beckons visitors to experience the blooms of the Botanical Garden, to traverse miles of biking, jogging, and walking paths, and to explore modern art in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
Today's City Park is a testament to the strength of our community and our commitment to preserving and improving this vital resource. From the serenity of Couturie Forest to the camaraderie of sportsmanship to spirited live music, City Park offers something for everyone. Drop by to discover this gorgeous live performance, 160 years in the making. We are pleased to present the New Orleans City Park Annual Report covering the fiscal year which began on July 1, 2013, and ended on June 30, 2014. The Park continued its recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the implementation of its Master Plan. We celebrated the one year anniversary of our miniature golf complex, City Putt, inaugurated a new concert program on the Great Lawn- The Happy 3rd of July celebration, finished converting the lights at Celebration in the Oaks to 100% LED fixtures, and held our first Earth Day event in the Botanical Garden, as well as holding all of the other great events, festivals, and races which are part of our normal activities. The Park received a 2014 Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor for consistently rating 4.5 stars out of a possible 5, took home five Best of Awards from Gambit readers, ranked in the top ten Amusement Parks in the country by Mensa, and received AARP’s “Great Places in Louisiana” award. The attached report highlights these, and other activities, and gives an account of our financial performance during the fiscal year. We hope you find the information useful and informative.
William D. Hoffman Robert W. Becker Ph.D. President Chief Executive Officer JULY 2013 to JUNE 2014: What a year! City Park knocked it out of the park on so many levels ...
More than 3,900 volunteers clocked 11,745 hours of planting, cleaning, and Park beautification.
"Best Place for a First Date" was just one of the five Gambit Best of Awards City Park scored in the coveted annual list. (In case the romance doesn't pan out, we also picked up "Best Place to Break-up.") City Park's stunning coffee table book, Magnificent Balance of Art, Nature & Play, by writer and photographer Kerri McCaffety, was published in November 2013.
Eco-friendly LED lights launched at Celebration in the Oaks – every single strand of bulbs supports our ongoing efforts to keep the Park green.
Every day is Earth Day at City Park, and our official, inaugural celebration was a resounding success.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl Track & Field Meet brought 2,100 students from 89 schools and 7 states to City Park.
City Park picked up a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, and the Park ranked #4 out of 643 New Orleans attractions.
Shutterbugs swarmed City Park with more than 750 entries submitted to our first photo contest. The smart folks of Mensa ranked Carousel Gardens #6 in a list of Top 10 Amusement Parks in the country. New Orleans City Park Mission Statement:
Preserve and improve City Park spaces for recreational, educational, cultural, and beautification purposes. Preserve and improve City Park spaces for recreational, educational, cultural, and beautification purposes.
Visitors love to pedal and paddle! Wheel Fun City Putt hosted more on Big Lake had an excellent year of boat and than 100K rounds of mini bike rentals. golf by its 1 year anniversary in May 2014.
Golf meets gorgeous: a wildflower field added a touch of colorful whimsy to City Park’s breathtaking, City Park’s range. historic grove of mature live oaks—and the cool shade they provide— continues to top lists of the best spots in New From a distance, you Orleans. can hear the roar of Friday night football crowds at Pan American Stadium. Soccer fans and players had a ball on the soccer fields near the Matt Savoie Soccer Complex. In the swing of things: free-spirited fun is the cornerstone of recreational fun at City Park.
Tourists and locals alike love to raise a racket at the City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center, which features 26 lighted courts, a practice court with two backboards, and a locker room with showers for players.
A world-class Park inspires community service. More than 3,900 volunteers pitched in at City Park between July 2013 and June 2014. Preserve and improve City Park spaces for recreational, educational, cultural, and beautification purposes.
Not just another pretty face—the New Orleans Botanical Garden offers classes for kids, lectures for adults, and tours for everyone.
The Louisiana Outdoors Outreach Program (LOOP) offers life-changing, vital outdoor The Grow Dat Youth Farm empowers and experiences to the youth of the Greater educates young leaders through the rewarding New Orleans area. work of growing good-for-you food. Earth Day?! It happens 365 days a year at City Park. On April 22, we hosted our first Annual Earth Day event.
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about City Park— City Park knows that the best from tree tops to bayou bottoms to stories classroom in the world is in the past to the revitalized present—is delivered to great outdoors. Learn about you in a new, easy to navigate website. flowers, food, composting, and NewOrleansCityPark.com more while you're at the Park. Preserve and improve City Park spaces for recreational, educational, cultural, and beautification purposes.
There’s always music in the air at City Park! The Singing Oak chimes ring a melodic scale at the slightest breeze at Big Lake.
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s free springtime concert series at the Peristyle and Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn is a seasonal tradition.
Some of our favorite words: Hot. Beignets. Everyday. All day. Celebration in the Oaks is one of New Orleans’ most iconic holiday traditions. The month-long lights spectacular attracts visitors from all 50 states.
Our 100-year-old hand-carved and hand-painted Carousel is one-of-a-kind in Louisiana and the crown jewel of the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. New Orleans’ distinct culture is woven into everyday experiences of City Park, from public art and historic architecture to live music series and festivals.
Our Happy 3rd of July musical event brings the Marine Corps band’s patriotic tribute and a striking display of fireworks from the top of the Peristyle.
We love being neighbors with the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
Jazz, blues, brass, swing, you name it and it’s at the Park. Thursdays at Twilight draws music lovers of all types to enjoy some of New Orleans’ best musicians. Preserve and improve City Park spaces for recreational, educational, cultural, and beautification purposes. The famous Peristyle is one of the oldest and most recognized architectural structures in City Park. Built in 1907, as an elegant platform for dances, the Peristyle is a popular wedding ceremony destination in New Orleans.
Picturesque Spanish moss drapes many of City Park’s 25,000 trees.
City Park’s nature trails and thriving City Park’s wildflower fields burst with blooming color and waterways are home to myriad provide a gorgeous backdrop to delight visitors. varieties of trees, fish, and birds. WPA sculptor Enrique Alferez’s leaping dolphin sculpture is a dynamic, aquatic centerpiece to the magnificent Popp Fountain.
“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Popp’s Bandstand is a popular and unique site.
One of many old stone bridges in City Park, the Langles Bridge is a favorite photo subject for many visitors.
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” -John Muir
New Orleans City Park 1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124 #iheartcitypark
For more information on the Park, or on how to volunteer or donate, please visit NewOrleansCityPark.com or call 504-259-1509.