City Park (New Orleans) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids City Park |
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Stone bridge over a preserved section of an old bayou
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Area | 1,300 acres (5.3 km2) |
| Created | 1854 |
| Owned by | City of New Orleans |
| Operated by | City Park Improvement Association |
| Visitors | about 5 million annually |
| Status | Open all year |
City Park is a huge public park in New Orleans, Louisiana. It covers about 1,300-acre (5.3 km2), making it one of the biggest urban parks in the United States. It's even larger than Central Park in New York City!
Even though the City of New Orleans owns the land, a group called the City Park Improvement Association manages the park. This group is part of the state government. City Park is special because it mostly pays for itself. It earns money from fees and donations. After Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage, the state government started helping to pay for some of its costs.
City Park has the world's largest collection of old live oak trees. Some of these trees are more than 600 years old! The park started in 1854, making it one of the oldest parks in the country. It was officially named "City Park" in 1891.
Contents
History of City Park
The Dueling Oaks
Long ago, in the 1800s, City Park was a quiet place where men would go to settle arguments. They would have "duels" under large oak trees. This was a way for them to defend their honor. There used to be two main "dueling oaks," but one was lost in a hurricane in 1949.
Many important people from New Orleans had duels here. Sometimes, the arguments were settled before anyone got hurt. Other times, one person might get a small injury. Sadly, some duels ended in death. For example, in 1805, Micajah Green Lewis, who worked for the governor, was killed. By 1890, dueling became against the law.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, City Park lost about 2,000 trees. But the famous Dueling Oak is still standing today. You can find it where Dueling Oaks Drive meets Dreyfous Drive. There is a small sign in front of it.
How City Park Grew
City Park began in the mid-1800s. It was built on land that used to be a plantation. This land became city property in 1850. In 1854, a court officially made it a public park. The park first covered about 100 acres. Much of the land to the north was swampland. In 1891, the City Park Improvement Association was created, and the area became "City Park."
Many fun things were added to the park over the years. A carousel, first pulled by mules, opened in 1897. It became a mechanical carousel in 1906. A miniature train started running in 1898. The first golf course was built in 1902.
In the early 1900s, many more improvements happened. The Peristyle building was built in 1907. The Isaac Delgado Museum of Art, now called the New Orleans Museum of Art, opened in 1911. Two years later, in 1913, the Casino building opened, offering snacks and drinks. Today, the Cafe Du Monde is in that building. The Popp Bandstand was built in 1917, and a swimming pool was added in 1924. The park also grew much larger, reaching its current size.
In 1915, a statue of Gen. Beauregard was put up at the park's entrance. Later, in 2015, the city decided to remove several historical statues. The Beauregard statue was removed on May 16, 2017.
In 1919, a mansion was built in the park. In 1949, this mansion became Christian Brothers School, a middle school for boys. It is still a boys' school today. In 1927, the park grew by 900 acres. The first tennis courts were built in 1928. Famous musician John Philip Sousa even performed at the Popp bandstand that year.
The park expanded a lot in the 1930s with help from a $12 million grant. Many new things were built, including sculptures, buildings, bridges, and roads. A rose garden was created, which later became the New Orleans Botanical Garden. A forest called Couterie Forest was planted. Popp Fountain, City Park Stadium, and another 18-hole golf course were also built.
Many big events have happened at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park. Actress Dorothy Lamour sold war bonds there in 1942. Bob Hope performed in 1944. Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger appeared in 1959. Even the Beatles performed there in 1964, with tickets costing only $5! In 1992, the stadium was updated to host the US Olympic Track & Field Trials.
After World War II, two more golf courses were added. A highway, I-610, was built through the park. A new golf clubhouse was put up. A beautiful parkway called Wisner Boulevard was built along Bayou St. John. By the 1970s, City Park had four golf courses, over 50 tennis courts, and many other sports fields. However, like many parks, it started to suffer from less care due to budget cuts. In 1979, a group called Friends of City Park was formed to help support the park.
The first City Park Big Bass Fishing Rodeo happened in 1946. In 1960, 593 fishermen from all over the country took part.
Until 1958, some parts of the park, including the playground and Storyland, were only for white visitors. African American children and families were not allowed to enter the park.
Since 1999, City Park has hosted the Voodoo Experience, a large live music event.
Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 caused $43 million in damage to the park. Strong winds knocked down about 1,000 trees. Most of the park (95%) was flooded with 1 foot (0.30 m) to 10 feet (3.0 m) of water for two to four weeks. This damaged all buildings, rides, equipment, and electrical systems. Many more trees and plants died, including almost all the plants in the New Orleans Botanical Garden.
About 75,000 volunteers helped with repair projects starting in 2005. As of 2017, City Park is being rebuilt following a plan from 2005. This plan was very helpful for guiding the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
The park has recovered well since Hurricane Katrina. Many facilities have reopened, and new attractions have been added. A water park is coming soon, and there are plans for a skate park and an Environmental Education Center. New bike paths have been added, and a beautiful walking path now surrounds Big Lake, near the New Orleans Museum of Art. This new path is like the popular one in Audubon Park.
Things to Do in City Park
Sports and Games
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- City Park Cross Country Course
- City Park Disc Golf Course
- City Park Driving Range
- City Park Golf Courses
- City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center
- City Park Practice Track
- City Park Rugby Pitch
- City Putt (mini golf)
- Lagoon Soccer Fields
- Matt Savoie Soccer Complex
- Pan American Stadium
- Quadruplex (Softball fields)
- Rotary Baseball Field
- Scout Island Athletic Fields (Lacrosse)
- Tad Gormley Stadium
Fun Attractions and Activities
- Bike and Boat Rentals
- Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
- Celebration in the Oaks (holiday lights display)
- Christian Brothers School
- City Park Birding Corridor (for bird watching)
- Couturie Forest: This 60-acre forest has eight different types of natural areas. It's home to New Orleans’ highest point, Laborde Mountain.
- Dog Park
- Festival Grounds
- Fishing
- Gift Shop and Welcome Center
- Gondola Rides
- Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn (a large grassy area)
- Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden
- Historic Structures
- Horse Stables
- Louisiana Children's Museum
- New Orleans Botanical Garden
- New Orleans Museum of Art, one of the best art museums in the South
- Storyland (a fairy tale themed playground)
- Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
- Trails: Zemurray Trail, Couturie Trail, Scout Island Trail, and bike paths
- Water Park (coming soon)
- Weddings & Catering (places for events)
- Wildflower fields
Places to Eat
- Ralph's on the Park
- Cafe Du Monde
- Parker’s Café
- Parker’s Pizza
