Friends of City Park

Friends of City Park is a regional, non-profit organization whose mission is to maintain and increase the value and importance of City Park as a place of natural beauty, culture, recreation and education for the public. All monies raised by Friends of City Park will be used for the capital needs of City Park at the discretion of the FOCP Executive Board.

At 1,300 acres, New Orleans City Park is one of the largest and most beautiful urban parks in the country. The park houses the largest collection of live oaks in the world and acres of wildlife and community attractions, including the New Orleans Museum of Art, the New Orleans Botanical Gardens, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and more. Annually, City Park must raise 89% of its operating budget which leaves little to no resources for park capital improvements. Friends of City Park is vital and important to the Park’s growth. Over the years, Friends has given millions of dollars to City Park for capital improvements.

In the 1970s, lack of local and state funding sent the Park into a state of disrepair. Vice president of City Park’s Board of Commissioners, J. Barbee Winston teamed up with the dynamic Mrs. Henry J. “Peggy” Read to organize the first fundraising organization for the park. Mrs. Read recruited volunteers, drafted a charter and bylaws, and at the urging of the Board of Commissioners President, Waldemar S. Nelson, Friends of City Park was born in 1979. Mr. Nelson selected Mrs. Read as the organization’s first president.

Friends of City Park sustains its efforts from its robust membership program that offers benefits to Friends’ members. The three major fundraisers are Lark in the Park, our premier fundraiser; Martini Madness, our wildly popular martini tasting; and Ghosts in the Oaks, our spooktacular family bizarre! The efforts of Friends of City Park sparked a catalyst for change and improvement and started a rebirth of City Park.

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City Park of New Orleans

City Park is as magical and unique as the city of New Orleans. The 1,300-acre outdoor oasis has enchanted New Orleanians since 1854, making it one of the nation’s oldest urban parks. Today’s park is home to ancient oaks, modern art and everything in between. Our team is on the ground ensuring we continue to take care of the Park so that it remains beautiful and magical. You matter to us. The Park is one of the region’s treasures - it is the people’s Park. Help us keep the Park clean and vibrant.

City Park is independently self-funded, generating 90% of its own revenue. Our ability to care for the Park’s historic oaks, beautiful gardens, family-friendly playgrounds, nature trails, golf courses, tennis courts, fountains, festival grounds, and pavilions is dependent on individuals just like you. You can help by donating funding, a tribute, or memorial, or sponsoring a tree, bench, picnic table or bridge.

City Park is here for you. Now, more so than ever, parks are vital to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Click here for more information.