Accomplishments

View Photo Compilation of LSC Accomplishments 

2006

• Lafayette Square Conservancy received 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization.
• Stump Grinding – After Parks and Parkways removed seven large trees that had been downed by Hurricane Katrina, the Conservancy received a donation from Bayou Tree Service to grind the remaining stumps.
• Major Cleanup Days – Over 70 volunteers participated in each of two cleaning and planting days. Several smaller cleanup/planting days were held.
• Irrigation System Repair – LSC replaced and repaired many sprinkler heads. Installed new metal door for the storage shed donated by Dial One House of Doors

2007

• Replanted entirely, through LSC volunteers, the three statuary beds replacing unkempt iris beds with graceful formal beds designed by Parks and Parkways Chief Landscape Architect, Keith Bleichner.
• Fully automated the park irrigation system providing protection from periods of drought and the ability to provide regular watering of seasonal plantings.
• Held regular planting/cleanup days at least every 2 months throughout the year. Seasonal plantings for each season.
• Conducted first annual “Gardens with a View” walking tour of homes and gardens in the Lafayette Square neighborhood.
• Started regularly stocking the doggie bag stations at each corner of the park to assure a clean park lawn.
• Obtained major funding from AT&T to get the LSC up and running.

2008

• Held six volunteer planting/cleanup days keeping our beds fresh for each season.
• Decorated the Square for the holidays for the first time and held our first annual holiday party and artists reception.  Holiday decor courtesy of Whitney Bank.
• Installed, as part of the Sculpture for New Orleans” Exhibition, artist Tara Conley’s bronze “Bunny” sculpture.  Tara personally raised the money to cast the piece and then transported it by truck from Texas for installation.
• Removed all termite infested wood bollards and installed over 100 “historically accurate” cast iron bollards which will protect the park’s irrigation system, turf and plants from vehicles entering the park.  Major funding and grants for this project came from Shell, AT&T and the Downtown Development District.
• Purchased and installed a dog/human water fountain for our users thanks to funding from Xplore Federal Credit Union (formerly known as Shell New Orleans Credit Union).
• Installed, as part of the “Sculpture for New Orleans” Exhibit, EYE BENCHES IV by world-renowned artist Louise Bourgeois. Ms. Bourgeois was extremely generous in donating all costs of shipment and installation as well as her loan of the sculpture to New Orleans.
• Launched our Internet site thanks to Firefly Marketing Solutions, our fabulous website designer and host.
• Received a shumard oak planted by President Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Harper, and Mexican President Calderon for Earth Day, May 22. The Parks and Parkways Department planted 3 more matching oaks to help replace the tree canopy lost in the storm in 2005.
• Obtained 6 new trash containers for the park from the Downtown Development District.
• Held the second annual “Gardens with a View” walking tour fundraiser.

2009

• Times-Picayune named Lafayette Square one of its favorite art destinations.
• Held 7 volunteer planting-cleanup days changing the color with the seasons and keeping the park clean and well-maintained.
• Voted by Gambit Readers best venue to hear free live music in New Orleans
• Sponsored the second annual “Harvest the Music” fall concert series benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank.
• Installed 8 benches around the perimeter of the park under our beautiful oak trees providing a place to eat, relax, listen to music and enjoy the view.
• Installed “Flowers for Theresa” by New Orleans artist Aria da Capo sponsored by Dorian Bennett as part of “Sculpture for New Orleans.”
• Conducted our highly successful spring walking tour with beautiful homes on tour and a wonderful gallery stroll curated by Miranda Lash, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the New Orleans Museum of Art .
• Participated in the YLC spring concert series as a sponsor and raised money for the Conservancy through sales of our logo t-shirts.

2010

• With matching funds from Entergy Corporation, The Downtown Development District and a grant from the General Services Administration Good Neighbor Program, the LSC has installed lighting for the three central statues and for the oak canopies at the four corners of the park, adding beauty and increasing safety in the park and surrounding neighborhood.
• Had all 23 live oak trees in the park professionally fertilized.
• Conducted our Fourth Annual walking tour, “Tasteful Living,” curated by celebs Chef Daniel Bonnot, City Council Member Stacy Head, Lawyer Extraordinaire Nyka Scott, Art Luminary Arthur Roger, and Stage and Screen Star Ranord Darensburg and featuring 3 fabulous private homes and 5 fabulous restaurants:  Mike’s East-West, A Mano, Cafe @ The Square, The American Sector, and The Wine Institute of New Orleans.

2011

• In August we brought in soil, leveled and prepped the park and planted new Bermuda grass. This project was funded by a grant from StubHub! and Warner Brothers. We also had a major assist from the Parks and Parkways Department and Ed Renton with State Machinery and Equipment Sales.
• From April through July our public partner, the Parks and Parkways Department, removed 9 diseased trees and trimmed our 22 live oaks, removing dead and declining branches and opening the trees by removing low hanging branches and suckers.
• With a generous grant from the Garden Study Club of New Orleans, the Conservancy’s “Lafayette Square is Blooming” project was implemented in February with the planting of 62 sasanqua camellias at the four corners of the park. This will add blooming plants to the park during the winter months. The grant will also add additional amaryllis and caladiums for more color in the spring and summer.
• Obtained a grant from the Jazz & Heritage Foundation to throw the LSC’s 5 year anniversary party in the park.

2012

• Contracted to renovate the granite paving in the park. Installed in 1984 before the World’s Fair, the pavement was broken, cracked and missing. With matching funds from the Downtown Development District, the unsighltly and dangerous condition was remedied.
• Started a raffle fundraiser with a beautiful 60 x 40 limited edition giclee named “Sea of Trees” created and donated by Tanner of Tanner Original Art.
• Held a volunteer planting day with many volunteers including a great group from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Plants for the spring planting were provided by the Garden Study Club of New Orleans.
• Held a volunteer cleanup day with a strong group of people who raked, planted, picked up trash, pruned, trimmed and generally got the Square looking great.

2013

• Conducted 3 volunteer planting/cleanup days with volunteers from Sacred Heart Academy, and others with plants provided by a grant from the Garden Study Club of New Orleans.
• Replenished the mulch under the oak trees which provides a great surface for walking and sitting during concerts, even after heavy rain.
• Continued our fundraising through tee-shirt and logo gear sales at the spring and fall concert series.
• Received the Downtown Development District’s Green Space award.

2014

• The Garden Study Club of New Orleans awarded the Conservancy a grant to permanently plant the three statuary beds in the center of the park with coral drift roses which will add color to the park year round.
• The Conservancy invested in an all new irrigation system which replaced the vintage 1984 system which had become largely non-operational. This new capital improvement will help sustain the planting in the park and allow us to add to it and restore the lawn.
• Continued seasonal plantings in the statuary beds, with volunteer assistance by Ursuline Academy.
• With the continued support of the Garden Study Club of New Orleans, the Conservancy added hydrangeas, camellias and fatsias to the corner beds.

2015

• Thanks to the Parks and Parkways Department, the LSC put a new roof on the park storage shed.
• Hosted two volunteer cleanup/planting days to supplement the regular trash pickup and maintenance the Parks and Parkways Department provides.
• Because of a generous grant from Kean Miller LLP, we planted additional amaryllis at the four corners of the park for a bright early spring color, and 800 white caladiums for a cool summer look.
• The Parks and Parkways Department contracted to install, on a test basis, a new Bermuda grass cultivar; Celebration.
• Parks and Parkways purchased 4 “rodent-proof” trash receptacles and the LSC received a grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful for 6 more.
• Received the Downtown Development District’s “Downtown NOLA Award” which recognizes exceptional accomplishments in Downtown New Orleans.

2016

• Thanks to the Parks and Parkways Department, new Bermuda sod was installed in 1/3 of the park.
• A plastic mesh called TurfProtecta was installed over the new turf to protect it from high foot traffic during concerts.
• Installed new LED lights around the center statue in the Square. The new fixtures provide brighter light and are more durable than the original fixtures.
• Continued to stock the four corners of the park with doggie bags in order to continue to have a “poop” free park.

2017

• With funding from the DDD, repaired broken and missing granite pavers throughout the park, correcting an unsightly condition.
• Contracted for a turf maintenance plan providing fertilization and herbicide treatment to the areas of the park that have been re-sodded.
• Installed LED lighting fixtures throughout the park. The upgrade was paid for in part through generous donations from the Garden Study Club of New Orleans and the Parks and Parkways Department.
• The Parks and Parkways Department also installed new hardwood mulch under the live oak trees on both sides of the park.