New Orleans City Park–Big Lake Restoration

City Park in New Orleans overflows with accolades, such as the largest recreational space in the region, one of the largest urban parks in the United States, and home to the largest collection of mature live oaks in the world (some 800 years old). One could say City Park is to New Orleans what Central Park is to New York City—but twice the size of Central Park.

The park’s landscape is alluring—a mix of southern Gothic charm laced with Spanish moss, setting the stage for fabulous photo opportunities.

When Hurricane Katrina swept across New Orleans’s historic City Park, it toppled trees and temporarily submerged 95 percent of the 1,300-acre park. City Park’s renovation began almost immediately.

Among the many rehabilitation efforts, Trust for Public Land joined forces with the City Park Improvement Association to restore and enhance the 55-acre Big Lake area near the park’s entrance. The restorations included a fitness trail, an educational walking path through zones representing Louisiana natural habitats, a new dock offering boat rentals, a parking lot, an outdoor classroom, and extensive landscaping.

Today, the park serves as a garden, museum, and recreational hub. Big Lake receives millions of visitors and recreational enthusiasts each year and serves as a premier gathering spot.