The planting beds alongside Big Lake were originally designed as the “City Park Big Lake Louisiana Trail” and represented the various plant regions of our state. In 2019, NPI, in partnership with New Orleans City Park, the New Orleans Town Gardeners and the Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans worked to remove invasive trees, redesigned and replanted some of the gardens along what we now call “The Big Lake Native Plant Trail.” NPI project leaders continue to work closely with City Park Conservancy grounds crews and volunteers to maintain and develop native plantings along that trail.
The most recent planting of a large central bed in 2021 included hundreds of native grass and prairie species. See that list HERE.
Currently City Park Conservancy holds volunteer hours at Big Lake every Friday morning. Volunteers can learn a lot about the many species of plants from each other and by working with them. To see the volunteer schedule and sign up for specific dates, go to Friends of City Park’s Volunteer Hub.
The following video, made in partnership with the New Orleans Town Gardeners, explains the crucial importance of native plants and the formation and goals of NPI.