“Though parks have been part of the fabric of New Orleans since 1718, the city’s world-class public park system saw disinvestment and collapse in the fallout of Jim Crow, and Hurricane Katrina devastated the system further. Today the park and recreation disparities in New Orleans are stark. As climate change makes the city hotter and more flood-prone, and community leaders seek new tools to address health crises and gun violence, the need for change is urgent. The Big Green Easy offers a remedy and path forward: a community-driven action plan for a park and recreation system that celebrates the distinct cultures of New Orleans while making the city and its neighborhoods cooler, greener, healthier, more resilient and more just, for all.” – Project Summary
Reversing Jim Crow: A New Legacy for New Orleans Parks and Recreation was the 2024 Colorado ASLA Merit Award in Analysis & Planning. The images are pulled from the winning submission.