Riverfront Park Concerns

The idea of creating a park to open up the riverfront to the citizens of New Orleans is championed by everyone. For those neighborhoods that are in close proximity to the proposed park, concerns have been expressed to make sure the design and operation of the park mitigated the inevitable negative impacts associated with such a large scale development. Although the idea is championed, many hold reservations due to the fact that the designers of the park (Reinventing the Crescent) were not listening to the concerns of those most affected: the residents of the adjacent neighborhoods.

It is unfortunate that some feel the need to pass along misinformation about our position on the park. WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.We all want a riverfront park…

but we need to make sure it is designed and funded properly to mitigate the residents’ concerns and make sure it remains the beautiful doorway to the City we were promised.

Our general concerns are:

1. the intensity of the use of the Mandeville Street Wharf to include parking and traffic,

2. the substantive change of the park, transforming from a place for recreation to include athletic courts and a playground to a grassy area devoid of such elements,

3. the lack of access to the park,

4. the lack of a business plan for the successful operation of the park, and

5. the lack of a dedicated funding source for the basic operation, safety and maintenance of the park.