The Struggle to Reopen Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans

Below is a guest blog post by New Orleans jazz artist Katja Toivola-Jones, who started a petition to re-open Louis Armstrong Park.

Jazz culture is the heart and soul of New Orleans, and Louis Armstrong, more than anyone, is the famous son who's made it so. The proud jazz spirit Armstrong's legend nurtured here helped keep the city afloat during our difficult rebuilding years since Hurricane Katrina.

So why is the city park named in Louis Armstrong's honor a year after his death still not fully re-opened—almost 6 years since the levees failed?

There are answers, but because they are more like excuses, they are not so satisfying.

The park— located in New Orleans's historic Treme neighborhood and just across from the French Quarter— was still mostly a mess until Spring 2008, when hundreds of volunteers came to jump start restoration efforts. Then, the city tried and failed to renovate the park when former Mayor Ray Nagin's questionable contractor seriously botched the job, including cracking the statue of Louis Armstrong himself.

So it was in part a relief when our new Mayor stopped work amid the scandal in July 2010.

But by early this year, when I once again came upon the park's closed gates, I saw that new progress was slow in coming.

I am not a native daughter of New Orleans, as Louis Armstrong was a native son; I grew up in Finland and still split my time there. But as someone who has lived in this city since 1995, who has been continually inspired by its wonderful people and heritage, and who—as a jazz trombonist—has played in many of its storied venues with my band "The Spirit of New Orleans," I felt a particular connection with this imposing 12-foot statue of the jazz great many of us call by his nickname Satchmo.

I felt angered. To know that the statue was still closed off from public view, along with other historic and cultural park sites including Congo Square—the former slave gathering place where the beginnings of jazz took root—and Perserverence Hall, a historic building of the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park inside the 32-acre grounds— was to feel that a part of our city's spirit stayed depressed.

Why was this vital asset to our community, history and tourism lure still laying in waste? Where was the urgency?

Since I came to Change.org in April and started a petition to advocate for the full park re-opening, which more than 1,600 people have signed, I've been given some hope.

I've received personal responses from city representatives and from the office of Mayor Landrieu, who spoke of his commitment to the park and has since pledged a full opening by the end of this year. And it's true that progress has been made: In recent months, 3 or the 10 gates have opened, as has the National Park Service-operated Perserverence Hall. But still today, the center of the park remains inaccessible, blocking full access for tourists, pedestrians and cyclists who would like to easily travel between the very different neighborhoods of Treme and The French Quarter. (And wouldn't it be wonderful to have a farmer's market in there, too?)

And, of course, we've heard promises before.

Louis Armstrong Park is important to me, and from comments on my petition, I've learned how important it is to other city residents and people all around the country and world:

"Congo Square is the most important cultural contribution New Orleans has ever made. Enslaved people were allowed to gather there, why can't we?"

"Redevelop and restore this park! Tear down the fences, open it up to the Treme and French Quarter communities, re-purpose the historic buildings. This park should be a tremendous asset, instead of the blight that it is now."

"This park has such historic value, both in what is located in the park and in it's tie to a historic name that is forever linked with New Orleans and New Orleans music. Why would you not want it to be a shining example of the city and be completely open to all?"

I'm keeping the petition up until I see all parts of Louis Armstrong Park fully open to all. We need to make sure that meeting his deadline stays a priority for Mayor Landrieu. If you support New Orleans, please join me.

Photo credit: Charles Silver

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