a path forward GeorgeLong.com LafitteGreenway.org 504.462.0645 P.O. Box 791727 New Orleans, LA 70179 LafitteGreenway LafitteGreenway
the lafitte greenway The Lafitte Greenway is a 2.6-mile public bicycle and pedestrian trail connecting six historic New Orleans neighborhoods from Armstrong Park to City Park. Opened in 2015, the Lafitte Greenway features sports fields, grassy lawns, 500 newly planted trees, energy-efficient lighting, and innovative stormwater management systems. The Lafitte Greenway transforms one of the city s most historic transportation routes--originally a canal and later a railroad right-of-way--into a multi-use transportation corridor and linear park. Tenbo Air friends of lafitte greenway THE NON-PROFIT STEWARDS OF THE GREENWAY Friends of Lafitte Greenway is the community s partner working to ensure that the Lafitte Greenway is a safe, vibrant, and active community asset. 2017 MID-CITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2016 SUSTAINABILITY EXCELLENCE A W A R D 2016 WHERE YA RACK RACK STARS A W A R D 2015 BIKE EASY A W A R D PAGE 1
OUR MISSION To build, program, and promote the Lafitte Greenway as a great public space. OUR VISION -NEIGHBORHOODS - linked from Tremé to Lakeview; -SAFE - PATH OF TRAVEL provided between homes, schools, businesses, and community resources; -TRANSPORTATION - OPTIONS increased; -HEALTHY - LIFESTYLE & WELLNESS promoted; -RECREATIONAL - OPPORTUNITIES provided; -COMMUNITY - SPACE provided; -CONNECTION - WITH NATURE cultivated; -SUSTAINABILITY - best practices demonstrated; -HISTORY - shared of New Orleans and its relationship to the larger landscape. Hunter King the challenge: LAKEVIEW 80 years A 25-YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP 3 Miles TREME 55 years Our health and wellbeing are greatly impacted by the strength of our communities, the places where we live, and our opportunities for healthy activity. *2013 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation turn page for details > our solution: HEALTH. NATURE. COMMUNITY. PLACE. PAGE 2
health Improving OUR WORK opportunities for health and wellbeing for all New Orleans residents and Lafitte Greenway communities FOOD ACCESS GROWING THE GREENWAY We offer monthly Ready, Set, Grow! garden classes, and are working to advocate for and create community gardens along the Lafitte Greenway to improve health outcomes of local residents and strengthen neighborhood bonds. Lettuce is not good; it s amazing! -T NIYA, age 7 Ready, Set, Grow! InstaPix Photography PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GET FIT THE GREEN WAY Our series of free outdoor fitness events includes Zumba, yoga, strength training, and walks. I laugh just as much as anything else. I love coming out to Zumba, even just for the laughing. -MICHELLE STANTON PAGE 3
nature Fostering OUR WORK environmental stewardship PEOPLE POWER Our 500+ volunteers keep the Lafitte Greenway clean, green, and beautiful through monthly volunteer days. They tackle ongoing maintenance needs and power our committees. YOUTH EXPLORERS Partnering with area schools, churches, and neighborhood groups, Youth Explorers uses nature as a classroom and playground to foster ecological understanding and connect youth to the outdoors on the Greenway. When I see hawks and dragonflies on the Greenway it makes me happy to know that nature has a new space in the city. -EMILY SNYDER PAGE 4
community Connecting OUR WORK people to the Greenway and to each other Hunter King InstaPix Photography HIKE THE GREENWAY This flagship event began in 2006 as community members bushwhacked along an overgrown railroad. Now, this annual event boasts over 750 hikers, and features live music, a guided tour, and a block party. AMBASSADORS Lafitte Greenway Ambassadors are area residents who act as stewards of the space, engage their communities to guide our work, and co-lead our programs and events. The Greenway is an example of how two short miles can encapsulate the essence of individual neighborhoods, culture, and the pulse of New Orleans... The possibilities are endless. -WENDY LAKER PAGE 5
Advocate photo by Sophia Germer place Advancing OUR WORK the community s vision for the Lafitte Greenway GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT Through fundraising and advocacy, we work to implement the Lafitte Greenway Master Plan, including creation of community gardens and the Greenway s expansion. We have installed bike racks, bicycle wayfinding signage, recycling bins, and public art. GREENWAY-FRIENDLY DEVELOPMENT We promote high-quality design in private developments along the Greenway s edges that activates the public space and embraces bicycle and pedestrian users. The Greenway is a catalyst for success for my neighborhood restaurant. -KEVIN CENTANNI, Rosedale I love the concept of creating a beautiful way of stitching together different neighborhoods, to foster peace, neighborliness, and health. -DANIEL WINKERT PAGE 6
signature events GREENWAY SOIREÉ October 6, 2017 A sophisticated celebration of the Greenway with great food, drinks, and live music. About the event: G re e n w a y supporters have gathered to eat, drink, dance and mingle at the Greenway Soirée each year since 2013. This elegant evening is an ideal networking opportunity with a substantial and sophisticated audience of over 200 guests who will appreciate your commitment to our community. HIKE THE LAFITTE GREENWAY March 2018 An active, family-friendly walk along the length of the Greenway. About the event: Since 2006, community members have hiked the length of the trail to learn about the Greenway and celebrate New Orleans history and culture at this annual flagship event. The 2016 Hike boasted 75 0 + participants, live music and performances, and a block party. Hunter King InstaPix Photography PAGE 7
2016 by the numbers 750 500 400 1,000+ Greenway users per day Volunteers cleaned 9,000 pounds of litter Zumba, yoga, and boot camp participants Participants in hiking & biking tours 1st 300 190 30 Friends of Lafitte Greenway Members Community Garden Planning Participants Bike racks installed City of New Orleans outdoor public recycling & 2,900 Subscribers to Greenway Gazette monthly e-newsletter 4,000 Social media followers 220 Volunteers power our committees Wayfinding signage system for bicyclists in partnership with City of New Orleans And we re just getting started!