In August, 2005, a powerful hurricane named Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The storm brought high winds and tornadoes and much destruction.
However, broken levees and floodwalls collapsed in the storm surge and flooded 80 per cent of New Orleans. City Park was under water for three weeks. Much vegetation died and the Botanical Garden, Carousel Garden, golf courses and waterfowl suffered $43 million in damages. The Park, before Katrina, was a self-sustaining Park and received no monies from City, State or Federal entities. All funds to operate the Park were self generating and the Park heavily relied on its volunteers for fund raising efforts.
As of this date, some 18 months after Katrina the Park is finally experiencing a rebirth, due mainly to the generosity of corporations and thousands of volunteers who have given time and money to restore the beauty of the Park. The bare-bones Park staff has worked long, hard hours these past eighteen months towards the Park's rebirth. Federal money is very slow in coming.
There were nine mute swans in City Park when Katrina struck--a pair who had five cygnets who were four months old and two female daughters who were three years old. After the flood waters subsided only one of the three year olds was found. She has been lonesome ever since.
This gallery is to record the rebirth of City Park-its gardens, its play areas, its amusements and its wildlife, particularly its swans.
Click on the small photo and you will get a full screen photo.
Scroll down under each photo as there usually is a story attached.
THE MOST RECENT PHOTO IS AT THE END OF THE GALLERY.