New Orleans City Park- Green

City Park Green

August, 2009
As one of the largest urban parks in the country, we have a responsibility and a commitment to operate the park in a manner that promotes conservation, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices.

The greening of City Park is a process. We are not yet where we want, need or plan to be in the future. We are, however, committed to the process and happy to share progress made to date:

Urban Forestry Practices

Since Hurricane Katrina, City Park has planted over 1,750 new trees, with species ranging from Live Oaks and Cypress to Magnolias and Pines.
Couturie Forest is doubling in size from 30 to 60 acres.
Pruned over 1,000 trees and palms. Debris is ground and the mulch is used throughout the park.
We are working to remove invasive species such as Chinese Tallow and Giant Ragweed from the park, particularly within Couturie Forest.
An inventory of the park's trees is underway. When completed this inventory will be the basis of a comprehensive forest program which will provide guidance on what and where to plant.
Installed over 1,000 wood bollards to prevent vehicles from driving on lawns and to keep vehicles away from trees.
Closed vehicular access to Shelter 5 in order to provide additional protection to the park's ancient grove of live oaks.
The park incorporates tree trimming and root protection standards into all of its construction documents. Enforcing these rules is a continuous effort.
Developed a process to review all schematic design plans with our area's Urban Forester to insure adequate consideration is given to the existing tree canopy in those plans.

Recycling

The Park pays to recycle paper and cans from its main administrative buildings and the Botanical Garden.
All our copy paper is made from 30% recycled materials.
Botanical Garden debris is composted.

Transportation

Consistent with the goals of our Master Plan, the park has overseen the construction of over 4 miles of bicycle paths along Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Wisner Boulevard, Harrison Avenue, and around Big Lake.
In an effort to cut down on the use of gasoline for security patrol purposes, park police use bicycles to patrol heavily-used areas around amusements and the museum.
The Park has purchased one hybrid vehicle and will purchase additional hybrids in the future.

Buildings
The Administration building was destroyed by the Hurricane. It is being rebuilt with the following green architectural treatments.

Low flow toilets and urinals
Tankless water heaters
Occupancy sensors and dimmable lighting fixtures
Demand control ventilation and and outdoor air monitoring system
Metal roofing to reduce cooling loads with twice the life span of asphalt shingles
Increased insulation and insulated glazing to reduce heat gain
Low VOC paints, tiles and sealants
Recycled decking materials and renewable wall panels
Natural ventilation in the majority of work spaces as well as natural lighting.

Energy Conservation

Currently, the park is negotiating the extent of hurricane-damaged lighting with FEMA. It is the Park's intent to repair all of our roadway and path lighting with LED fixtures which require less maintenance and cut energy consumption in half.

Landscaping

The Botanical Garden emphasizes the propagation of native species and will build a specific "natives garden" scheduled to open in April 2010.
Through a partnership with Tulane City Build and architect Coleman Coker, an eco pavilion in the garden, which demonstrates how to capture roof water runoff, was built. The pavilion was built using reclaimed pine, eco-friendly treated wood, and recycled cable trays from off-shore oil rigs.
A wetland plant center was constructed. It serves as a teaching tool and provides plants for shoreline plantings.

Education

The Botanical Garden regularly offers educational programs focused on green topics including composting, rain gardens, and vegetable gardening.
The Garden held a "green fair" as part of the 2009 Spring Garden Show, showcasing green builders and products.

Lagoons, Bayous and Lakes

Volunteers have planted tens of thousands of plugs of shoreline grass to help stabilize shorelines and improve fish habitat and water quality.
Several water monitors that help monitor and manage water quality in the Park's lagoons and in Bayou St. John have been installed.
A fresh water pump that helps balance the salinity of the water was installed along Bayou Metairie.
New piers are being constructed to facilitate the public's access to our waterways.
Thousands of fish were released in the Park's lagoons after most swam away during Hurricane Katrina. Anglers are again catching (and releasing) nice bass.


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Couturie Forest is doubling in size from 30 to 60 acres. Pruned over 1,000 trees and palms. Debris is ground and the mulch is used throughout the park. We are working to remove invasive species such as Chinese Tallow and Giant Ragweed from the park, particularly within Couturie Forest. An inventory of the park's trees is underway. When completed this inventory will be the basis of a comprehensive forest program which will provide guidance on what and where to plant. Installed over 1,000 wood bollards to prevent vehicles from driving on lawns and to keep vehicles away from trees. Closed vehicular access to Shelter 5 in order to provide additional protection to the park's ancient grove of live oaks. The park incorporates tree trimming and root protection standards into all of its construction documents. Enforcing these rules is a continuous effort. Developed a process to review all schematic design plans with our area's Urban Forester to insure adequate consideration is given to the existing tree canopy in those plans. Recycling The Park pays to recycle paper and cans from its main administrative buildings and the Botanical Garden. All our copy paper is made from 30% recycled materials. Botanical Garden debris is composted. Transportation Consistent with the goals of our Master Plan, the park has overseen the construction of over 4 miles of bicycle paths along Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Wisner Boulevard, Harrison Avenue, and around Big Lake. In an effort to cut down on the use of gasoline for security patrol purposes, park police use bicycles to patrol heavily-used areas around amusements and the museum. The Park has purchased one hybrid vehicle and will purchase additional hybrids in the future. Buildings The Administration building was destroyed by the Hurricane. It is being rebuilt with the following green architectural treatments. Low flow toilets and urinals Tankless water heaters Occupancy sensors and dimmable lighting fixtures Demand control ventilation and and outdoor air monitoring system Metal roofing to reduce cooling loads with twice the life span of asphalt shingles Increased insulation and insulated glazing to reduce heat gain Low VOC paints, tiles and sealants Recycled decking materials and renewable wall panels Natural ventilation in the majority of work spaces as well as natural lighting. Energy Conservation Currently, the park is negotiating the extent of hurricane-damaged lighting with FEMA. It is the Park's intent to repair all of our roadway and path lighting with LED fixtures which require less maintenance and cut energy consumption in half. Landscaping The Botanical Garden emphasizes the propagation of native species and will build a specific "natives garden" scheduled to open in April 2010. Through a partnership with Tulane City Build and architect Coleman Coker, an eco pavilion in the garden, which demonstrates how to capture roof water runoff, was built. The pavilion was built using reclaimed pine, eco-friendly treated wood, and recycled cable trays from off-shore oil rigs. A wetland plant center was constructed. It serves as a teaching tool and provides plants for shoreline plantings. Education The Botanical Garden regularly offers educational programs focused on green topics including composting, rain gardens, and vegetable gardening. The Garden held a "green fair" as part of the 2009 Spring Garden Show, showcasing green builders and products. Lagoons, Bayous and Lakes Volunteers have planted tens of thousands of plugs of shoreline grass to help stabilize shorelines and improve fish habitat and water quality. Several water monitors that help monitor and manage water quality in the Park's lagoons and in Bayou St. John have been installed. A fresh water pump that helps balance the salinity of the water was installed along Bayou Metairie. New piers are being constructed to facilitate the public's access to our waterways. Thousands of fish were released in the Park's lagoons after most swam away during Hurricane Katrina. Anglers are again catching (and releasing) nice bass.
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