NEW ORLEANS CITY PARK MASTER PLAN Vision for the 21st Century - City Park 2018 LETTER FROM OUR CEO AND PRESIDENT Dear Friends, ur master plan was approved in March of 2005 with the goal of returning a world-class urban park to the citi zens of Greater New Orleans in conjuncti on O with the city’s 300th anniversary in 2018. While progress toward implementi ng the plan was severely impacted by the devastati ng eff ects of Hurricane Katrina, we were determined to make lemonade out of a very sour lemon. We regrouped, made adjustments to the plan and are now over half way to our goal! We have raised more than $80 million toward our goal of $143 million. Guests to the park can see improvements virtually anywhere they look within our 1,300 acre boundary; The Goldring/Waldenberg Great Lawn, more that $7 million invested in the Amusement Park and Storyland, the brand new 26-court City Park / Pepsi Tennis Center, renovati ons to dozens of buildings, constructi on of NOLA City Bark Dog Park, major updates to Big Lake, the planti ng of more than 4,000 trees, the replanti ng of the Botanical Garden, and several miles of new jogging/walking/biking paths - to name just a few. No one wears rose colored glasses at the park. Despite our success in recent years, we face funding challenges at both the city and state level. We are working diligently to establish an appropriate level of funding by both enti ti es. Guided by a dedicated board, generous donors, enthusiasti c volunteers and a committ ed staff , we look forward to celebrati ng the fulfi llment of the master plan in 2018. In the meanti me, we invite you to come enjoy your park. Sincerely, Robert W. Becker Robert Edward Smith Lupo CEO President New Orleans City Park Master Plan Vision for the 21st Century - City Park 2018 1 STATE OF THE PARK WHY IS A PLAN FOR CITY PARK IMPORTANT? City Park is the heart of the region with an astonishing array of faciliti es and open space. The Park is incredibly important to the quality of life of everyone in the region and its health and vitality is important to every citi zen and employer. The Park has a signifi cant economic impact on the region which will be dramati cally threatened if the Park is not put on a sound fi nancial plan and if the faciliti es in the Park are not repaired, modernized and improved. According to the University of New Orleans (Pre-Katrina): • The Park accounted for a total spending impact of over $100 million dollars. • The Park supports directly or indirectly over 1,350 jobs • The Park creates a “halo” eff ect on surrounding property values. The Park increased the value of surrounding property by a total of nearly $400 million dollars. The Parks operati on creates approximately $11 Million in State and local government annual tax revenue Hurricane Katrina Reaffirms Importance of Plan The massive destructi on caused by Hurricane Katrina and the failure of the federal levee system in August of 2005 reaffi rmed the importance of the plan. While the recovery of other insti tuti ons and faciliti es were signifi cantly delayed because of the lack of a master plan, City Park 2018 immediately provided a blueprint for re- building and revisions to the Park. The Park has used the plan to guide restorati on eff orts, raise funds, marshal public and private support and to coordinate the eff orts of over 35,000 volunteers. MISSION OF THE PARK Preserve and improve Park spaces for recreati onal, educati onal, cultural and beauti fi cati on purposes. GOAL OF THE PLAN Make City Park the premiere urban Park in the nati on! Through 2018, existi ng Park faciliti es and infrastructure will be repaired and renovated with new faciliti es and uses introduced. The Park will be fi nancially self suffi cient, properly maintained and will off er an extensive array of programs and cultural educati onal experiences to the public to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the City of New Orleans. New Orleans City Park Master Plan Vision for the 21st Century - City Park 2018 2 INTRODUCTION CITY PARK VISION New Orleans City Park is one of the country’s oldest and largest urban parks. With the fi rst parcels The vision statement describes the community’s aspirati ons for the Park. It is writt en from the perspecti ve of acquired in 1854, its 1,300 acres dramati cally illustrate the challenges and successes of the city’s citi zens views in 2018. remarkable history. City Park is a vital urban park, recognized for its beauty, diversity, and stewardship of its resources. Its 1,300 The vision and plan for City Park was adopted in 2005, intended to guide development of the Park over the acres of lush parkland and waterways, crossed by a network of trails, contain a rich array of recreati onal, next decade and a half. The vision and plan were developed with extensive input from the public through educati onal, cultural, and environmental resources well-used by the neighborhood, city, region, and State. a process which included a regional telephone survey and an online survey through a redeveloped master City Park is a regional att racti on, an important part of the region’s economic development infrastructure plan web site, and two well-att ended public meeti ngs. Other great public parks such as Central Park and and contributes to the economic vitality of the neighborhoods. The Park’s historic landscape has completely Balboa Park were examined to learn about trends in park planning and current thinking regarding programs recovered from Hurricane Katrina and is the setti ng for contemporary programs and events that appeal to all and faciliti es appropriate to great regional park assets. ages. Through partnerships, public support, and creati ve fund-raising, the Park maintains att racti ve faciliti es, grounds and programs that add to the enjoyment, health, and enrichment of the community. Many ideas and suggesti ons were developed during the community needs and assessment process. The following represents highlights of that input. The vision is structured around fi ve themes. These themes are separated for clarity and emphasis, but are, in fact, closely related. Together, they describe the community’s vision for the Park in its land uses, design and programs. These are the basis for the Initi ati ves as introduced on page 5. • Additi onal museums/cultural faciliti es • Improve lagoons/fi shing/water quality “In 2018, we envision… • More concerts/festi val areas in the Park • Create a comprehensive forestry program • Increase the amount of undeveloped open • Walking/jogging/bicycle paths space available to the public • Improve the golf complex Expanded recreational opportunities where... • Programs for all age groups • Renovate infrastructure/bett er maintain • Healthy living is encouraged for all ages and abiliti es with places to play, compete, enjoy fresh air and • Children’s water play area and Skate Park the Park’s buildings and grounds nature. • Dog Park • New faciliti es and acti viti es meet the needs of the community. • Public transit links the Park’s resources with neighborhoods throughout New Orleans. Strong sense of community where... • Life long learning opportuniti es encourage curiosity, creati vity, team work, and career development. • Families enjoy the Park’s variety of acti viti es at every stage. • Neighbors meet through Park programs and build long-term relati onships. • Public health is encouraged and celebrated for Park employees and visitors. • Employment opportuniti es in Park related fi elds such as environmental sciences, business, and recreati onal management are explored and developed. • Local businesses benefi t by the improvements to the Park. • Citi zens are acti vely engaged in their community. Integrated natural and functional systems where... In 2007, the Park undertook a review • Nati ve Louisiana habitat of plants and animals thrive. of the plan, parti cularly designed • Stewardship is a popular and rewarding acti vity. to determine if modifi cati ons to • Water quality throughout the Park is high and routi nely maintained. the plan were necessary as a result • Trails and roads are safe and enjoyable routes to desti nati ons throughout the Park. of Hurricane Katrina. The Park • The urban forest contributes to the Park’s character and environmental quality of the region. commissioned a new Regional Telephone Survey, conducted Distinctive identity where... a public hearing and reviewed • City Park’s disti nct heritage is preserved and celebrated. proposals submitt ed by interested • A vibrant horti cultural palett e displays seasonal color of plant communiti es and traditi ons from New groups. This research confi rmed Orleans, the American South and exoti c locati ons around the world . that the initi ati ves contained in the • The surrounding neighborhoods enjoy and benefi t from the Park’s year-round acti viti es. adopted plan were sti ll correct and • City Park’s recovery serves as a inspirati on for citi zens from throughout the region that only minor adjustments in the • City Park is nati onally recognized as a premiere public park. plan were necessary. • Tourists fi nd the Park fun, safe, and well maintained. Telephone Survey’s were conducted Financial self-sufficiency where... in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and • Park management and governance are responsive to ever changing conditi ons. confi rmed broad support for the • Funding of Park improvements and operati ons are abundant and widely supported. Park’s Recovery progress and the • A variety of public/private partnerships are mutually benefi cial and grow with the Park.