History of New Orleans City Park - Episode #32
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Mark Bologna
4.9 • 916 Ratings
🗓️ 1 March 2017
⏱️ 52 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode I talk with John Hopper, the Chief Development Officer and Director of Public Affairs for New Orleans City Park. We dive into the history of one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
City Park in New Orleans was first envisioned as a public place in the mid-1800s, but as you'll learn, the land was first inhabited by Native Americans who found the land along Bayou Metairie suitable for their lifestyle.
It was later the site of the Allard Plantation before being purchased by John McDonogh for the purpose of giving it to the city to be used as a park.
John and I discuss the history of the park from its very beginning through present day. Along the way, you'll hear stories of duels, grand architecture, the Works Progress Administration, a Mexican sculptor with ties to Pancho Villa, and more!
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Thanks for listening!
Mark
mark@beyondbourbonst.com
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hmm. Street, an insider's guide to New Orleans. Beyond Bourbon Street is the podcast where we explore the food, |
| 0:16.3 | music, culture, places, and people that make New Orleans unique. Whether you are planning a trip, |
| 0:22.1 | living in New Orleans, or simply wanting a taste of the Crescent City from wherever you are, |
| 0:26.0 | you've come to the right place. |
| 0:29.0 | And now, your host, Mark Bologna. |
| 0:35.0 | Hey, all, this is Mark. |
| 0:37.0 | Welcome to episode 32. |
| 0:39.0 | I'm excited about this podcast episode, and glad to have you here with us. |
| 0:43.0 | If you missed the last show, go back and check it out. |
| 0:46.0 | And that one I had a discussion with Jessica Parker |
| 0:48.0 | about how to eat vegan and vegetarian in New Orleans. |
| 0:50.0 | And I know, I know. |
| 0:52.0 | Even if you're not an herb before, you're going to find plenty for you in that show. As you guys know that have listened for a while, I certainly am a meat eater and I really enjoyed a lot about the discussion. What I most liked was Jessica's energy. It was it caused me to think |
| 1:04.6 | about places I might have skipped over otherwise. In any event check it out. |
| 1:08.0 | Today's show is a topic that's near and dear to my heart, City Park. The topic's so big we're actually going to do it in two episodes. |
| 1:15.0 | This first one's going to be all about the history of the park, |
| 1:18.0 | and then next time we'll come back and talk about things to do in the park, |
| 1:21.0 | though I'm sure there's going to be some crossover. |
| 1:23.4 | For today's show, I'm joined by a New Orleans by choice, which as you know if you've listened for a while, |
| 1:27.9 | I love that. |
| 1:28.9 | It's my birthright, but for a lot of people is a choice. |
| 1:32.4 | He's the chief development officer and the public affairs director of City Park. |
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