Summary: New Orleans is a uniquely vibrant urban city, but located smack dab in the middle is a vast green oasis filled with a wealth of treasures. New Orleans City Park is one of the biggest, oldest, and most beautiful urban parks in the country and it offers so much for locals and visitors alike to see, do, and experience throughout the year. On this episode of GoNOLA Radio, our hosts Mikko, Lorin Gaudin, and George Ingmire sit down and talk with Chief Development Officer and Director of Public Affairs of City Park, John Hopper, and he gives us the highlights of this peaceful - yet active - New Orleans park. With the weather being just perfect this time of year, more people than ever take advantage of the many ways to enjoy the outdoors throughout the park. From miles of walking, jogging, and biking paths around the lake (and bike rentals!), to tennis courts, horse-riding, an 18-hole golf course, and pedal-boating, there are plenty of things to do in City Park. For family fun, you can enjoy the brand new mini-golf course, City Putt, as well as Storyland, a theme park filled with huge storybook sculptures, and Carousel Gardens, an amusement park featuring an antique carousel. The New Orleans Museum of Modern Art is also on the grounds, along with the beautiful Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Further enjoy nature in the 60-acre Couturie Forest, a 60-acre forest of native trees, scenic waterways, and local wildlife (a great spot for bird watching, as well). Recently opened Morning Call is a great addition to the park, offering delicious coffee and beignets, as well as fare like jambalaya and gumbo 24 hours a day. Besides big events like Voodoo Fest held on City Park's festival grounds, you can also catch music almost all year long at the Thursdays at Twilight garden concert series. Coming up this holiday season is the always-anticipated Celebration in the Oaks, running the day after Thanksgiving through January 4. Locals and visitors have been enjoying this festival of oak trees twinkling with lights for generations, and the usual delights like the Cajun Night Before Christmas display, the Who Dat tree, the train, and Mr. Bingle will all be there, as well as some new surprises. The park is packed with activities, events, and opportunities, and it’s only getting better; plans for a splash park are in the works to help folks cool off in the warmer summer months, and more additions and improvements are on the way. Listen to this episode of GoNOLA Radio to learn more about all that City Park has to offer.
