Parks & Recreation Master Plan

In 2019, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), Parks and Parkways, Audubon Nature Institute, and City Park signed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) as part of the City's new millage structure. The four millage recipients are committed to developing a “city-wide Parks and Recreation Master Plan.”

Parks for All is leading an effort to make sure this happens.

Criteria for a Greener, More Sustainable New Orleans

  • Comprehensive

    A “master plan” will look at the city as a whole, engaging all organizations that control the City’s parks, greenspaces, and recreation. The planning process will engage both the public and community leaders.

  • Professional

    New Orleans will engage a top national design firm with a proven track record of helping cities develop their parks master plan according to best practices.

  • Equitable

    The diversity of New Orleans requires that all neighborhoods provide input into the master planning process so as to maximize the sustainability and amenity value of all parks and greenspaces throughout the City.

  • Actionable

    A quality master plan will include actionable next steps, priorities, milestone goals, mechanisms, timetables, and guideposts to ensure accountability for delivering on the plan.

Master Plan Responsibility and Funding

The principal responsibility for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan will rest with the City. The plan has the potential to be a signature accomplishment of the current administration that will improve the lives of New Orleanians for decades to come. The CEA ensures that the plan will be funded. New Orleans has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create an enduring guide for a sustainable and high quality-of-life future.

Please join us in encouraging the City to make the Master Plan a priority and to make it happen!

 

Parks for All has prepared a White Paper about how best to create the Master Plan

  • Identify the consultant, including the composition of a selection committee.

  • The qualifications of the consultant, including their suggested planning process.

  • The subject areas that the plan will cover.