The Carrollton Boosters are planning to take over more of the precious green space on the Audubon Fly in New Orleans for a new sports complex and expanded parking to accommodate it, as well as new concession stands. Children’s sports are great but there are many places to put a soccer field. There is only one pubic green in uptown New Orleans where you can view the river. It is treasured by many. We have close to 1000 signatures on a petition opposing the plan in the first 12 hours and over 500 are planning to come to picnic on the site to protest the plans with only two days notice. Here is a link to the Facebook page with the petition. https://www.facebook.com/SAVEtheFLYNOLA/
There is an existing children’s playground on this spot that is surrounded by green space with a view of the river and visible from the road in an inviting way. This playground will disappear. It will be replaced by one that is embedded within the sports complex, surrounded by fenced soccer fields and parking lots with no green space or view. It will not be visible from the road and children will have to navigate within the sports complex to find it. Access to the green space will be denied to everyone forever. The existing green space will be buried under the Astroturf soccer field, the concrete concessions stands, and the asphalt parking lot. It will be gone.
There is also a beautiful arts pavilion paid for by city money. The Stage for Viewing was the winner of a city-wide contest and placed where there is the best view of the river. It will be removed and gone.
Private, Public and Charter schools of the City of New Orleans organize school picnics for multi racial, multi income families right there. The set-up is perfect for children because it is self-contained. They can play safely hide and seek around the trees. Parents love it because of the great view of the river. Do not make it a restricted access space! The Audubon golf course has already taken too much of Audubon Park. Carrollton boosters could use the space behind the swimming pool on Magazine Street. Don't take away this beautiful green island from the children of New Orleans!
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