We're proud to announce that in 2016, we're working with SPROUT NOLA to give a series of free gardening classes for all ages at the ReFresh Community Farm. Classes are held at the ReFresh Project on the third Saturday of every month at 9am. Our first class on January 16th was a great time for adults and kids alike!

Claiborne Corridor Ambassador Program (CCAP)

Photo From Bike Easy CCAP Web Page

Friends of Lafitte Greenway has partnered with Bike Easy and other New Orleans organizations to create the Claiborne Corridor Ambassador Program (CCAP). This is a community-driven campaign that advocates for safe, equitable, and affordable transportation options within the Claiborne Corridor.

The CCAP program aims to create a more inclusive process for public engagement, particularly with regards to decision-making processes concerning New Orleans’ public spaces, streets, and transportation options. 

In our first community event of 2016, Friends of Lafitte Greenway members learned to maintain their bikes with our partners at Bike Easy. About 30 members came out to learn all about how to check a bike before riding, how to fix a flat tire, how to adjust brakes, and more!

Friends of Lafitte Greenway is proud release A Pocket Guide to the Lafitte Greenway, your guide to the many features, attractions, and destinations on and along the Lafitte Greenway. Click here to view the pocket guide and map online or pick one up at a business near you. Special thanks to Line 58 for design services.

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.