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Friends of City Park

Dedicated to preserving and improving City Park

No one can do it alone, and New Orleans City Park is no exception. Established in 1979, Friends of City Park is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to maintain and increase the value and importance of City Park as a place of  natural beauty, culture, and education for the public.

Over the past 35 years, Friends of City Park has raised money to assist in new projects and refurbish many beloved Park attractions including the Historic Wooden Carousel, Botanical Garden, Peristyle, Storyland, and Popp Fountain. Friends of City Park sustains its efforts from its robust membership program that offers perks to Friends' members. Without the support of individuals like you, City Park would not be what it is today. New Orleans City Park is your Park, your memories!

Your Park, Your Perks!

Enjoy the many perks of a Friends of City Park membership and know that you are helping to maintain and enhance City Park’s natural beauty and recreation.

Friends’ members enjoy 12 full months of fun and savings in one of New Orleans' best family-fun destinations.  Join Friends of City Park today.

MEMBERSHIP PERKS 

A Friends of City Park Membership offers members the following exclusive perks:

Free unlimited admission to:
Celebration in the Oaks
Storyland
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park*
Botanical Garden (does not include special events)
Spring Garden Show & Fall Garden Festival
Friends' Fest

Discounts on:
• Amusement Park*
  10% off amusement park rides pass
• City Putt
  $2 off City Putt
• Boat/Bike rentals at Big Lake
  20% off boat/bike rentals
• City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center
  10% off court rental
• Golf at the North Course
  $2 off large bucket of balls
• NOLA City Bark
  $5 off dog park permit
• Equest Farms
  10% off individual riding lessons
• Filmore in the Oaks
  10% discount on purchases
• Parker’s Café in the Amusement Park
  10% discount on purchases
• Friends’ annual special events

* Please note: a Friends of City Park Membership does not include rides. For information on an Amusement Park Season Pass click here.

Membership Levels
All credit and debit card sales are assessed a $2 service fee.

Senior Individual:
Perks for one named adult age 65+. - $40.00

Senior Plus:
Perks for two named adults ages 65+ living at the same address or one named adult and one guest. - $50.00

Individual:
Perks for one named adult. - $55.00

Individual Plus:
Perks for two named adults living at the same address or one named adult and one guest. - $65.00

Family:
Perks for two named adults living at the same address or one named adult and one guest and up to six of their children/grandchildren under the age of 18.  - $75.00

Family Plus:
Perks for two named adults living at the same address or one named adult and one guest and up to six of their children/grandchildren under the age of 18. This membership includes the babysitter privilege. - $125.00

Patron:
Perks for two named adults living at the same address or one named adult plus one guest and up to six of their children/grandchildren under the age of 18. This membership includes the babysitter privilege, two Ghosts in the Oaks tickets, and one additional Celebration in the Oaks guest. - $250.00

Park Ambassador:
Perks for two named adults living at the same address or one named adult and two guests and up to six of their children/grandchildren under the age of 18. This membership includes the babysitter privilege, four Ghosts in the Oaks tickets, and two additional Celebration in the Oaks guests. - $500.00

Join Now 

Click here to purchase or renew your Friends of City Park Membership.

Memberships can also be purchased at the Administration Building at 1 Palm Drive NOLA 70124 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. 

For more information, e-mail friends@friendsofcitypark.com or call (504) 483-9376.

FRIENDS OF CITY PARK FUNDRAISERS

City Park raises 89% of its operating budget which leaves little to no resources for park capital improvements. Friends of City Park holds three major fundraisers a year to assist in generating funds for these improvements: 

Lark in the Park
The premier fundraiser of Friends of City Park hosts over 900 guests in the New Orleans Botanical Garden and Pavilion of the Two Sisters in City Park under the ancient live oak trees. Local live music acts entertain the crowd from 8pm – 11pm as they sip on specialty cocktails and sample delectable dishes from over 40 of New Orleans best restaurants.

Martini Madness
The nightlife of New Orleans surrounded by the beauty of City Park’s Arbor Room at Popp Fountain give Martini Madness an edge on other fundraising events aimed at the young professional crowd and young at heart. With over 750 guests gathered to sample 30 of the most daring martinis and eat delicious cuisine from New Orleans restaurants, it is a blast waiting to happen!

Ghosts in the Oaks (3 nights!)
This family friendly fundraiser takes place in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland at City Park on a select weekend in October. Children and adults of all ages dress in their Halloween best for unlimited rides, air-brush face painting, arts and crafts, balloon animals, a pumpkin patch, and trick-or-treating!

OTHER FRIENDS' EVENTS

Friends' Fest
We love our members! This annual membership appreciation event is held the second to last Wednesday in July. The evening is an exclusive night in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park & Storyland for Friends of City Park members. Festivities include free admission, free rides, free treats, and live performers. City Park concessions are also open for sale during the event.

City Peek Tours
Do you want the inside scoop? Friends of City Park hosts a trio of Behind the Scenes Tours with 'City Peek.' Enjoy a hiking tour in Couturie Forest and Arboretum or a magical in-depth look at the New Orleans Botanical Garden, or learn all about the historic antique wooden carousel.  Tours are held in the Spring/Summer annually. Reach out to Friends of City Park for details.

Visit the Friends of City Park website for more information.

**The mission of Friends of City Park is to maintain and increase the value and importance of City Park as a place of natural beauty, culture, recreation, and education for the public. All monies raised by Friends of City Park (FOCP) will be used for the capital needs of City Park at the discretion of the FOCP Executive Board. FOCP is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is a registered charity with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office.

TWEETS FROM THE PARK:

PARK TALK:

“One of my favorite places in the world!” - Karen L.
“Beautiful trees. So peaceful to be there.” - Colleen P.
“We LOVED this Park. The Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn made us take off our shoes upon laying eyes on it!” - Marvin G.
“One of my favorite places....absolutely the most beautiful park I have ever seen (even internationally)!” - Karen L.
“It's the most beautiful place in New Orleans in my opinion!” - Anjali K.
“I played mini golf with my husband there 41 years ago. ” - Peg K.
“Can I just tell you all how much I LOVE city park?! The singing oak tree coupled with the sculpture garden gives me all of the positive feels. Happy to be affiliated with such a wondrous place! ” - Jacinda L.
“When you go to City Park, you enter another world!” - Linda Marie J.
“Everyone who lives here or visits should take advantage of this city's #1 asset.” - Steve I.
“One of the best kept secrets in NOLA. ” - Wyndham N.
“Can't wait for the day that I can take my grandchild to the place that my parents use to take me...great memories! ” - Jennie O.
“I remember having my picture taken at the Peristyle for my dance review back in 1964. The Peristyle is still so beautiful!” - Bunny W.
“Another claim to fame in our beloved city.” - Carolyn B.
“If you go to New Orleans, you got to see the Mardi Gras...and City Park. What a gem in a place of craziness! ” - Molly H.
“On behalf of the many citizens like me...job well done. The Park is truly a wonderful asset for our city.” - Eric F.
“What a great place to get away from the madness of the French Quarter! ” - Susan F.
“The most beautiful spot in all of NOLA by far!! We will be returning.” - Stacy A.
“I would move here for this Park!” - Caity L.
“Worth seeing! We drove to the park & there was plenty of parking & it was easy to find. Loved the sculpture garden!” - Linda B.
“We had great time yesterday at the Park! We will definitely be back soon! ” - Nadra J.
“Climbing the trees at City Park is an important rite of passage for any true NOLA kid. ” - Melissa R.
“Everyone I know calls the horses on the Carousel the Flying Horses! ” - Ralph M.
“City Park its really, really, really beautiful.” - Nina G.
“Beautiful location, Park is clean, so much to see for free, great artwork and streetcar accessible.” - Gladys R.
“I have to say, not only is City Park beautiful but it is incredibly relaxing and gives you that refreshing boost, I don't know, it kind of just feeds your soul a little bit.” - Greg H.
“No trip to NOLA is complete unless you spend an afternoon at City Park. Bring a picnic, spread a blanket and relax. There's plenty to do and see from Disc Golf to the Sculpture Gardens and rides for the kiddies. You can make a whole day of it and never get bored. Enjoy.” - Dan M.
“I wish we couldn't spent hours here! There is an Amusement Park, a sculpture garden, a place to get coffee and beignets and more! I'd love to go back and spend more time!” - Gina V.
“City Park was the factor that turned me from a tourist to a resident of New Orleans. ” - Bill W.
“Such a beautiful, magical park!” - Josh A.
“Had fun at the park yesterday...my family and I rented the paddle boats and had a blast!!! ” - Kristi S.
“If I was 40 years younger I would climb these large trees!” - Renee E.
“Man, @NOLACityPark is one of the best things about this city.” - Rab G.
“My #1 reason for wanting to move to the city!” - Nicholas C.
“City Park is my gym, my place to grab a snack, my zen place.” - Elodie C.
“The lighting on the Peristyle and Bandstand look great! Thank you City Park for being beautiful! ” - Julie S.
“This is my little piece of heaven. ” - Debby G.
“I found the Park extremely beautiful and peaceful. I would not have imagined such a beautiful green space existed so close to the city. ” - Hugo E.
“My family and I have been riding our bikes on the track around the Festival Grounds. We love it, and it’s clear everyone else does too. It’s a big asset for the city. ” - Truman B.
“I just finished my jog at the beautiful City Park. It’s a great place to exercise. ” - James B.
“A beautifully landscaped, tranquil haven away from the razzle dazzle of the French Quarter. ” - Sue B.
“The free and open space - there’s nothing like being at City Park on a nice day. ” - Ase W.
“Every route is scenic. Trails and paved roads snake like the Mississippi River around bayous, lakes, ponds, sculptures, fountains, Venetian gondolas, and 600-year-old oaks. There's a 3/4 mile boardwalk around Big Lake, nature trails, and paved areas for running! ” - G. Hill
“This Park is vast & beautiful - old oaks, a museum, gardens, art - a park you can bring the kids to for rides and to feed the ducks & swans. ” - Molly W.
“I had my reception at City Park in September of 2003 and people STILL talk about the food. It was beyond my wildest dreams! ” - Veronica P.
“I so love MY PARK, even at 53 years old, it is a treasure that brings back my earliest memories - and great ones at that!” - Allison J.
“My husband and I love the cedar swings at the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn. It's our date place to get away from the kids. ” - Elodie C.
“Great for riding bikes through. We even saw Surrey bikes that you can rent at the Park!” - Lars H.
“I just discovered the walking paths in Couturie Forest off of Harrison. They are awesome! ” - Bern S.
“Thank you, City Park, for the gift of the exercise equipment and the walking/running/biking trail at the Festival Grounds. It is a great venue to work out in and to enjoy the Park” - Kathy S.
“The Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn, across from the Peristyle, is a fantastic addition to the Park. ” - Daniel T.
“My daughter's 5th birthday party was here, it was great. ” - Victoria T.
“Beautiful! A nice place to get away from city traffic. The Spanish moss large draped oaks are gorgeous for picture taking.” - Adam T.
“City Park is amazingly beautiful and provides a wealth of resources in our great city.” - Gina M.
“I have wonderful memories biking through CP & Couturie Forest w/ my children.” - Karen C.
“New Orleans is a destination of sights, of tastes, and of sounds. Here, the sounds of the city can fill you with life. But in City Park, an oasis for natives and transplants like myself, the sounds of the Big Easy can make you feel safe. Calm. And at-home.” - Garland H.
“Can't wait to go back.” - Lisa S.
“We are from Florida but love NOLA! And City Park is one of the crown jewels! We go there each time we visit! Love it, this is the model all city parks should strive to emulate. City Park is for all the citizens of New Orleans. ” - Shannon D.
“We rented a Single Surrey, and did a full tour, that took us next to the Botanical Garden, Amusement Park, City Putt, and the beignet cafe. What a great time!” - Amy C.
“I saw a yellow-crowned night heron eating a worm for breakfast this morning! #Nature” - Andrea P.
“@NOLACityPark has to be the nicest park I have ever seen. Best place for #running or just #relaxing.” - Jamie Z.
“Every visitor should see this Park. A wonderland of lights during Christmas and a worth while trip year round.” - Mel H.
“As strong supporters we marvel at the progress City Park has made in revitalizing the Park.” - Lawrence and Beth T.
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CITY PARK FACTS:

The antique wooden carousel in Carousel Gardens was created by famed carvers Looff and Carmel and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A post-Katrina renovation garnered national attention and praise from the National Historic Preservation Society.