Today, July 26, 2019, Friends of Lafitte Greenway is thrilled to announce that the total commission for From Parking to Plaza: A Lafitte Greenway Public Art Challenge has been increased from $17,000 to $30,000! This project is a partnership between NORD, Arts Council New Orleans, and Friends of Lafitte Greenway.

From Parking to Plaza seeks to activate and celebrate a public space located at a critical juncture with regard to New Orleans’ history, ecology, and bicycle and pedestrian circulation systems. First developed for boats at the historic crossroads of Bayou St. John and the former Carondelet Canal, and later for cars as the driveway to the “Brake Tag Station” for motor vehicle inspections, the project begins the transformation of this unique site at the central node of New Orleans bike network into a place for people, community, and celebration--expanding the Greenway’s role as a cultural asset. 

The project is a commemorative work, made possible by a gift from Elaine Ravich, to celebrate the life and contributions of local artists, volunteers, mothers, and teachers, Deborah Vorhoff. Major support provided by Arts Council New Orleans.

Qualifications are due August 1st. To apply click here.

Announcement Date: July 1, 2019

Submission Deadline: August 1, 2019

Eligibility: Professional artists and artist teams

Maximum Budget: $30,000

More Details & Apply: Arts Council New Orleans Submittable

Request for Qualifications

Friends of Lafitte Greenway, in partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and Arts Council New Orleans, is calling on artists to submit qualifications for From Parking to Plaza, a permanent public art installation on the Lafitte Greenway.

This project seeks to activate and celebrate a public space located at a critical juncture with regard to New Orleans’ history, ecology, and bicycle and pedestrian circulation systems. First developed for boats at the historic crossroads of Bayou St. John and the former Carondelet Canal, and later for cars as the driveway to the “Brake Tag Station” for motor vehicle inspections, the project begins the transformation of this unique site at the central node of New Orleans bike network into a place for people, community, and celebration--expanding the Greenway’s role as a cultural asset. 

The project is a commemorative work, made possible by a gift from Elaine Ravich, to celebrate the life and contributions of local artist, volunteer, mother, and teacher, Deborah Vorhoff.

Announcement Date: July 1, 2019

Q&A Informational: Weds. July 17, 5:30-6:30 PM, Sojourner Truth Neighborhood Center, 2200 Lafitte Avenue. RSVP for the Q&A informational here!

Submission Deadline: August 1, 2019

Eligibility: Professional artists and artist teams

Maximum Budget: $17,000

More Details & Apply: Arts Council New Orleans Submittable

Greenway Supporters,

The Mystic Krewe of Nyx and NORD have announced exciting plans to work together to build NORD's first three inclusive playgrounds. These new playgrounds--safe and accessible to people of all ability levels--are proposed for the Mid-City, New Orleans East, and Algiers neighborhoods.

Friends of Lafitte Greenway is currently hiring for two new teammates to join us in building a vibrant and healthy Greenway that connects people to nature, their destinations, and each other.

FITNESS PROGRAM COORDINATOR (Part Time)

AMERICORPS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

What: The Community Engagement Coordinator Americorps Member will recruit, train, and manage Greenway volunteers—including members of advisory committees that steer and support the implementation of programming and projects--as well as event and program volunteers. The member will support community engagement and communications activities, in order to bring community voice and leadership to Friends programs, projects, and advocacy.

Who: A great communicator and self -starter with time management and organizational skills, who can develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders in the Greenway's communities.

Position Type: Full time Corps Member - full time for 11 months starting September 1st.

Compensation: Benefits include a living allowance of $14,000, an education award of $6,095, health insurance, student loan forbearance, child care reimbursement, in-depth personal and professional development, and valuable networking opportunities.

Apply by: Applications must be submitted through Serve Louisiana. Click here for more information and to apply by June 30th. 

Position Title: Community Engagement Coordinator

Host Organization: Friends of Lafitte Greenway

Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2019 at ServeLouisiana.org

Service Term: September 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020

Printable Position Description: Download here

Overview:

In partnership with Serve Louisiana, Friends of Lafitte Greenway is recruiting for an AmeriCorps member to serve as our Community Engagement Coordinator. Corps Members serve full time for 11 months starting September 1st.  Benefits include a living allowance of $14,000, an education award of $6,095, health insurance, student loan forbearance, child care reimbursement, in-depth personal and professional development, and valuable networking opportunities. For more information and to apply, visit servelouisiana.org.    

About Serve Louisiana:

Serve Louisiana partners young leaders with nonprofits for a paid year, helping local organizations improve lives and build stronger communities. As Louisiana's longest-running AmeriCorps program, Serve Louisiana offers young leaders 11-month opportunities to work with community-based organizations to improve the health and lives of South Louisiana families and children. Through progressive, hands-on training, coaching and mentoring, we prepare people to address the real needs facing communities -- poverty, mental health and wellness, education, youth development, environmental preservation -- and help to effect true, long-term change.

About the Corps Member Experience:

Corps members serve 40 hours a week from September 1, 2019-July 31, 2020 with a community-based organization (Friends of Lafitte Greenway) providing capacity-building activities such as volunteer coordination, program development, social media/technology coordination, and community outreach.  Through their partner organization site and through Serve Louisiana, corps members enjoy personal and professional development opportunities, workshops, trainings and extensive networking opportunities.  

Dear Greenway Community,

One month ago, we celebrated the inaugural Hike Fest. Our community was still reeling. Three weeks prior, Nellie (our Program Director) and I narrowly survived the horrific crash, biking on Esplanade Avenue, that took two of our dearest friends’ lives. For me, that day at the Hike Fest--under the crisp sunshine, surrounded by dancing, and laughing children--was a crystallization of the goodness of life, and it began to fill a space in my chest that felt hollow.

At the Greenway, we have worked together to build a community and a place that connects us. Nellie and I have shared our awe: we never anticipated that we would personally need to draw so heavily upon it, and yet this Greenway community stepped in with a thousand acts of goodness to support our healing, to produce the Hike Fest, and to carry us through.

This inaugural fest was a success beyond our goals. Attended by 2,500 community members,

The City of New Orleans announced public meetings for Moving New Orleans: Bikes, an iniative to develop a citywide bikeway network. At the Greenway, we know how important it is to have safe, connected, and protected bikeways in New Orleans. Join us at these public meetings to give your input. 

The first round of public meetings begins the second week of April and the City is asking everyone to help identify specific areas with transportation challenges, desired biking and walking destinations, and potential bike routes. Your voice is crucial to creating a strong collective vision for increasing safe and equitable transportation options. 

We are saddened to report that staff of Friends of Lafitte Greenway were involved in the senseless and violent incident Saturday night after the Endymion parade. Executive Director Sophie Harris Vorhoff sustained multiple injuries and is in intensive care at a local hospital. Program Director Nellie Catzen was released from the hospital on Sunday. Sophie and Nellie were with four others – including Sophie’s husband – who were on bikes on their way from an Endymion party to a downtown parade.

“The board and staff of Friends of Lafitte Greenway along with their extended community of friends and family are reeling,” said board President Kevin Centanni. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of David Hynes and Sharree Walls along with the others who were injured.”

Sharree Walls and David Hynes were friends and allies of Friends of Lafitte Greenway and our efforts. The loss of them strikes at everything we stand for.

Safety on our streets requires a deep commitment and collective effort at all levels of our community. From envisioning and investing in safe dedicated infrastructure for people on foot and on bikes, to individual and community accountability to prevent drunk driving; we all have a role to play in building a safer community. Friends of Lafitte Greenway is committed to building a safer future with the support of our allies at the City; bike, pedestrian, and transit advocates; and our friends, supporters, and neighbors. 

Vendor applications are now closed!

If you would like to be notified next year, please email camly@lafittegreenway.org

Hike Fest Vendor Applications are now open! The Greenway Fest  on Saturday, March 21, 2020 will bring together the very best of the Greenway and the communities it connects for a full day of live local music, food and drink, kids activities, Greenway tours, and more.

Friends of Lafitte Greenway invites any interested restaurants, catering companies, pop-ups, food trucks, artists, artisans, and community organizations to join us and connect with thousands of Greenway neighbors and supporters at the Greenway's very first festival. Applications are due by Wednesday, February 5th.

Find out more and apply by clicking on the buttons below!

The Connect the Crescent three-month demonstration project wrapped up last week and New Orleans streets are back to their previous configurations. 

We hope you had a chance to ride, walk, and enjoy the connected network of over 3.5 miles of low-stress bike-ways, pedestrian safety measures, and improved transit-stop access in the downtown area. 

Make your voice be heard and take the Transportation Choices survey or submit public comment here.