City Park golf course opponents hope to change developers’ plans

With signs urging developers to back off on plans to build a $24.5 million golf complex in New Orleans City Park, nearly 100 park users gathered Friday (March 13) for a march to protest the project.

Golf course opponents said they were concerned about losing a natural space that’s open to everyone, and the impact the development would have on the birds, reptiles and other wildlife that have settled in the area.

“We are trying to continue putting pressure on the board of City Park to listen to the citizens of New Orleans,” said Christopher Lane, who used to enjoy frequent picnics and bird watching in the space.

At the protest march Friday, people carried handmade signs reading, “Keep Your Green Fees Off Our Green Please,” “There Is No Demand For Golf” and “Keep City Park Natural and Free.” Others opposed to the project started a petition on Change.org urging City Park’s board to cancel its plans for the golf course.