Benches have been installed on the Greenway between Broad Street and Claiborne Avenue. Get out there. Work up a sweat, then rest those legs.

The UNO Transportation Institute has released the first data from an automated counter installed on the Greenway at N. Galvez Street. Between October 25th (12 days before the Greenway’s opening) and December 2nd, 2015, an average of 645 people per day used the Greenway in the Galvez section alone. The data show that the Greenway is most heavily used from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, and most heavily trafficked on Fridays. The UNO Transportation Institute also reported that use of the Jefferson Davis Parkway bike trail has substantially increased since the Greenway’s opening.

Friends of Lafitte Greenway is pleased to announce the election of eight members to our Board of Directors. These six new and two returning members were elected by the membership at the January 25, 2016 Annual Meeting. New board members include Charles Barclay, Kevin Centanni, Amy Boyle Collins, Foster Duncan, Ernest Johnson, Natalie Mitchell. Leonetta Terrell and Jeffrey Thomas return to the board for new 3-year term. We are delighted to welcome this extraordinary group of individuals to Friends of Lafitte Greenway’s Board of Directors. We recognize and thank directors that left the board this year for their significant contributions: Amy Allen, Judith Dangerfield, Annalisa Kelly, Bill McCord, Jay Nix, and Sam Spencer.  These eight newly elected members join eleven sitting members of the Board of Directors.

The Lafitte Greenway just got greener. Today, Friends of Lafitte Greenway and the City of New Orleans installed New Orleans' first-of-its-kind solar-powered public recycling units on the Greenway at Jefferson Davis Parkway and Broad Street. This is the first outdoor recycling in City of New Orleans' public spaces.

This project was made possible thanks to the generous support of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, MotherShip Foundation, and Parkway Bakery & Tavern, and the partnership of the City of New Orleans Department of Sanitation. Special thanks to Line 58 for the great panel design.

Today, we are heartbroken to hear that the body of a man identified as David Lee Thompson was found floating in the Orleans Relief Canal along the Lafitte Greenway. We do not want to speculate on the details of his passing until we know more.

Safety of Lafitte Greenway users and community members is our utmost concern. We continue to advocate for fencing around the full perimeter of the Orleans Relief Canal, and for safe and secure canal crossings.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Mr. Thompson.

We will be sharing updates on the story as it unfolds below.

December 11, 2015

11:20 am WGNO: Body found in Lafitte Street canal

11:48 am  Mid-City Messenger: Body found floating in canal near Lafitte Greenway

11:55 am NOLA.com: Man's body found in Mid-City canal, New Orleans police say

12:00 pm WWL: Relatives fear body found in canal was man bringing Bible to girlfriend

6:56 pm  WDSU: Floating Bible in canal near Lafitte Greenway leads to body discovery, family members say

10:08 pm The New Orleans Advocate: Body found Friday morning near Lafitte Greenway in New Orleans

December 13, 2015

11:19am WDSU: Local pastors demand action after dangerous route kills church member

Help us support safe and healthy communities along the Lafitte Greenway

Call for board members: 2016-2018 Term

Friends of Lafitte Greenway was formed in early 2006 by New Orleans community members who saw an opportunity to rethink the city's landscape to enhance livability, environmental sustainability, open space equity, and health. The Friends built a network of diverse constituents who shared its vision of preserving the continuous open space in the former Lafitte rail corridor, and developing a greenway amenity that encourages active living, facilitates economic development, and links adjacent neighborhoods, cultural features, historic sites, retail areas and public spaces.

Today, Mayor Landrieu hosted the grand opening of the Lafitte Greenway with City Councilmembers, city officials, state and federal representatives, and community partners. We are thrilled to announce that the Greenway is officially open! Get out there and enjoy.

Friends of Lafitte Greenway extends our heartfelt thanks to Mayor Landrieu, the New Orleans City Council, State of Louisiana Office of Community Development, the federal partners, countless local and national partners, and the individual volunteers and supporters that have given their time, passion, and resources to make this dream a reality.

Dear Lafitte Greenway Supporters,

I am thrilled to share the below invitation from the City of New Orleans to the opening of the Lafitte Greenway tomorrow! It took a community working together to create this new public space. Please join us tomorrow morning at the grand opening press conference and celebrate with us tomorrow evening at the Greenway Soirée fundraiser. Stay tuned for announcements about community events to celebrate the Greenway's opening!

Sincerely,


Sophie Harris
Executive Director
Friends of Lafitte Greenway

INVITATION: Press Conference to Celebrate Grand Opening of Lafitte Greenway 11/6

We invite you to join us Friday, November 6, 2015 as Mayor Landrieu, City Councilmembers, City Officials, and community stakeholders celebrate the grand opening of the Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path.

Stretching 2.6 miles, the $9.1 million Lafitte Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Path is a multi-use trail and linear park connecting six historic neighborhoods from the French Quarter to Bayou St. John and Mid-City. The Lafitte Greenway corridor is bounded by Basin Street, Lafitte Street, St. Louis Street, and North Alexander Street.

This major project has been a direct result of your collaboration and dedication to ensuring New Orleans is an active and livable city.

WHO: 
Mayor Mitch Landrieu
City Councilmembers
City Officials
Community Stakeholders

WHEN: 
Friday, November 6, 2015
10:30 a.m.
*weather permitting*

WHERE: 
Corner of N. Galvez Street and St. Louis Street
New Orleans, LA 70112

*Photo by Tenbo Air

The City made headway on the critical finishing touches to the Lafitte Greenway in September (photos below). While the City has not yet announced an official opening date, the Greenway is already buzzing with walkers, joggers, and bikers.

We encourage users to be aware of car traffic. Stop and utilize the push-button activated beacons at the Claiborne, Galvez, Broad, Jefferson Davis, and Carrollton intersections in order to enjoy safely.

When behind the wheel, please be an example. Stop and allow people on foot and on bike to cross the street at the Greenway’s intersections.

Contractors installed New Orleans’ first protected 2-way bike lane or “cycle track” beginning at the Greenway’s downtown trailhead at Basin and St. Louis Streets.

The Louisiana Landmarks Society unveiled a new Pitot House exhibit, entitled Bayou St. John and the Carondelet Canal: Interconnections of History. Curated by Louis W. McFaul, the exhibit explores the colonial history, unique geography, development and transformation of the Carondelet Canal on the footprint of today’s Lafitte Greenway.

See the free exhibit during its limited time run at the Pitot House (1440 Moss St) on the following dates:

• Wednesday, 9/30
• Thursday, 10/1
• Wednesday, 10/7
• Thursday, 10/8

The exhibit will be up once again in January, 2016.

Click here to read more.

Photo: Robert W. Grafton, View of the Turning Basin. Oil on canvas, 1915-17.