By now, it is no secret how much damage Hurricane Katrina caused the state of Louisiana in the summer of 2005, and few places suffered more extensive damages than City Park. With funds recently obligated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the park continues with its recovery process.

In operation since the late 1800s, City Park is an agency of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. It is one of the 10 largest urban parks in the United States and is a great place for visitors to enjoy picnics, bike rides, the Museum of Art, the sculpture garden and sports such as tennis and football.

Katrina’s floodwaters damaged 122 park buildings and submerged 90 percent of City Park in saltwater, killing the grass on the golf courses and the plants in the botanical garden. More than four feet of water in the park’s administration building ruined computers, archives and records, while a portion of the maintenance building collapsed and nearly every piece of equipment was destroyed. Total park damages are $43 million.

Since the storm, the 1,300-acre park has reopened many of its facilities, including the golf driving range, the Botanical Garden, pavilions and tennis courts. Most of the park’s amusement park rides have also been repaired and are functioning today.

“In recent months FEMA has dramatically increased its support for the park and has shown a real dedication to accurately assessing damage to the park and to securing the funds necessary for the park’s recovery,” said City Park CEO Robert Becker. “Much work remains to be done and we look forward to FEMA’s ongoing assistance in returning the park’s urban oasis to the citizens of Greater New Orleans.”

Federal funds totaling over $8.6 million have been obligated to reimburse for the work performed at the park. When projects are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the applicant to work with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as quickly as possible to access the reimbursement monies. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursing the funds. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.

“As we rebuild New Orleans City Park, we are restoring an anchor for our community,” Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu said. “The announcement of $8.6 million in FEMA funds marks another milestone in City Park’s rebirth.”

Landrieu added, “Local businesses and organizations have joined hundreds of volunteers to take part in restoration projects at the park. When it was needed most, General Honoré worked to put boots on the ground at City Park. We have worked with the Administration and Legislature to appropriate general and capital outlay funds to expedite the park's recovery. Clearly, City Park is gaining momentum.”

Other work includes repairs to the Tad Gormley and Pan American stadiums, Popps Tent and Fountain and the Timken Building. The boating equipment shed and the old corral maintenance facility are slated to receive new items, such as canoes and paddles, fishing equipment, life jackets, landscaping equipment, furniture and tools.

“While the effects of Katrina were devastating, the park is once again flourishing thanks to the close cooperation among City Park, the state and FEMA,” said Jim Stark, FEMA director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. “We are proud to have been part of this effort to bring one of the greatest city parks in the country back to the residents of the New Orleans area.”

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

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