Seven separate New Orleans civic groups gathered under The NOLA Coalition banner are demanding improvements to public parks and youth programs run by the city's recreation department,
In a joint statement released Tuesday, the Coalition says the state of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission’s neighborhood parks and sports fields is "alarming" and unsafe for kids, according to a report by The Times-Picayune.
The Coalition, which includes nonprofits and businesses, cited "overgrown fields, exposed electrical wire, crime scene tape and trash-ridden facilities" as examples of “unacceptable” conditions. Criticism from community members has included issues such as missing trash cans, holes in the playing fields and inconsistent hours at several pools.
“Every child should have access to safe and enriching recreational opportunities,” the statement reads. “NORD is one of the greatest assets we have for strengthening our community, and should be a primary concern for all civic leaders, parents, and citizens.”
The statement was submitted jointly by the New Orleans NAACP, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Crime Commission, East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, and the Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region.
In response, the NORD Commission issued a statement Wednesday highlighting the improvement projects already underway, such as new lighting, upgraded bathrooms and turf field replacements across multiple sites. It also pointed to the thousands of youth it serves across its athletic programs, summer camps and recreational programs
"While recent discussions have raised concerns, these conversations would be even more productive with direct engagement. We welcome collaboration with any group that is genuinely committed to supporting and investing in our mission," NORD Commission Chair Theo Sanders said in a statement.
The Coalition's letter includes suggestions on how to make improvements, including exploring public-private partnerships and "restoring the relationship between Major League Baseball," which has provided resources to NORD in previous year, Joni Hess of The Times-Picayune reported.
"Following Hurricane Katrina, business and civic groups invested significant time and resources in the recovery of NORD, as it was seen as fundamental to the recovery of the city," the letter says. "These organizations, and more, are once again ready to support and invest in the right model to benefit our youth and families."
Per the reporting of Hess, public officials have also weighed in on the state of city recreation facilities in recent months, linking the lack of resources for youths to juvenile crime.
Launched in June 2022, The NOLA Coalition has grown to include nearly 600 nonprofit and business members. It's mission statement reads: The mission of The NOLA Coalition is to harness our collective resources to create a safer and more prosperous New Orleans for all residents. We support near-term actions to reduce violence, paired with social services to drive generational change. We stand ready to invest – our time, our people, our expertise, and our money – to help make a difference for New Orleans.
