City Park Review

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City Park

  • Address: Bordered by City Park Ave., Robert E. Lee Blvd., Marconi Dr., and Bayou St. John, New Orleans, LA | Map It
  • Phone: 504/482-4888
  • www.neworleanscitypark.com

Fodor's Review:

City Park, a 150-year-old, 1,500-acre expanse of moss-draped oaks and gentle lagoons 2 mi from the French Quarter, suffered mightily in Hurricane Katrina's winds and flooding. The storm felled or damaged over 1,000 trees, destroyed an 18-hole golf course, ravaged vegetation, and forced the park to lay off 90% of its staff. Nevertheless, the park is rebuilding with the help of hundreds of local and visiting volunteers and even in its recovering state is a great place to walk or jog, play tennis, feed the ducks, visit one of its reopened attractions, or simply relax. Just beyond the main entrance at the end of Esplanade Avenue stands the New Orleans Museum of Art and an adjacent sculpture garden; tucked elsewhere in the sprawling park are tennis courts, a sports stadium and running track, baseball diamonds and playgrounds, along with miles of meandering walking paths and gentle lagoons rife with waterfowl. The park's art-deco benches, fountains, bridges, and ironwork are remnants of a 1930s Works Progress Administration refurbishment, and whimsical sculptures by renowned New Orleans artist Enrique Alferez dot the New Orleans Botanical Garden, which, while open, was severely damaged by Katrina floodwaters. The train garden here, operating on weekends only, is still a fun stop for the kids. Another children's favorite, Storyland, is also open on weekends. Most attractions are clustered near the museum; the Timken Center and its snack bar were still closed at press time, as were the golf course and a small amusement park, Carousel Gardens. But the tennis courts and the golf course's driving range are open, and families are once again staking claims on picnic tables for weekend barbecues. A popular drive-through Christmas holiday light display had to be scaled down after Katrina, but a walking tour of the botanical garden ($5) packs in holiday revelers. Call ahead or check the park's website for revised hours and available activities.

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