New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD)

About the Organization:
Before Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in August 2005, the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) managed more than 130 parks across the city.  Those parks ranged in size from small ‘pocket parks’ of an acre or less in size to 187-acre Joe Brown Park, and provided much appreciated green spaces with playgrounds, walking paths, pools and athletic facilities of all kinds.  Thousands of residents participated in organized football, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, golf and tennis at NORD facilities.  Many others used park-based community centers to take classes, and to access needed community services.  In total, an estimated 300,000 people participated in NORD programs or used NORD facilities every year.

Approved Project:
Pontchartrain Park Athletic Fields and Community Center

Project Description and Status:
Pontchartrain Park was a bustling area before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. It included football fields, baseball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, a golf course and expansive grassy areas for the public. Unfortunately, the storm caused significant damage to the park, and limited funds and other financial priorities prevented the park from receiving urgently-needed clean-up and repairs.

Operation Kids, the Brees Dream Foundation, Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola partnered to rebuild the football fields and community center at Pontchartrain Park .

In 2007, more than 50 Wal-Mart employees and volunteers joined NORD employees and local residents in repainting the inside and outside of the park’s primary concessions building, which also doubles as a community center. This followed the earlier re-roofing of the facility with funding from Operation Kids.

In 2008, additional funds from Operation Kids and Coca-Cola restored power to the building and lighting to the athletic fields, while Wal-Mart funding was used to rebuild park fencing and furnish the inside of the building with much-needed equipment and appliances.

Local residents and youth football teams had full use of the facility again by late 2008.

Project Cost:
$127,000

Funds Still Needed:
This project is fully funded. 

The community center/concession building at Pontchartrain Park suffered damage during the flooding following Hurricane Katrina.

The interior of the building suffered even more extensive damage. With help from Wal-Mart, all the appliances and equipment will soon be replaced.

Operation Kids provided a new roof for the center, while Wal-Mart donated time and resources for its repainting. The next step is new wiring and appliances.

More than 50 Wal-Mart volunteers turned out in August 2007 to repaint the community center.

Several youth football teams currently practice at Pontchartrain Park. However, the fields’ lighting was destroyed by the storm, so portable generators must be used. That lighting is inadequate for games.

Field lighting is currently being restored at Pontchartrain Park thanks to support from Operation Kids and the Brees Dream Foundation.

Wal-Mart employees and their families spent half a day re-painting the building.