Rebuilding after-school and recreation programs is a key part of Mitch Landrieu’s crime plan and a new NORD will be central to crime prevention. Under Mitch’s administration, the New Orleans Police Department and NORD staff will ensure that playgrounds are free of criminal activity and drug-dealing.
Mitch believes passionately in NORD’s potential for improving life in city neighborhoods. As children, Mitch and his siblings spent countless hours at the Carrollton Boosters playground managed by NORD. As Mayor, Mitch will work to make sure that NORD once again provides a healthy outlet for all of our young people.
NORD is suffering badly as a result of Katrina damage, inconsistent funding, weak community partnerships and weak city leadership. As Mayor, Mitch will:
- Assemble new resources to rebuild NORD
- Support use of a public-private entity to manage recreation
Assemble new resources to rebuild NORD
- Mitch will restore NORD to national-model status. This will entail offering art, music and dance programs as well as traditional sports and recreation.
- He will identify a stable funding structure to properly staff NORD facilities.
- Respected private organizations, including faith-based groups, will be enlisted to furnish volunteers who can serve as role models.
- The city will aggressively pursue federal grants and other funds to speed up the rebuilding of closed playgrounds, gyms, pools and ball fields.
Support use of a new partnership to manage recreation
Mitch will back the New Orleans Recreation Community Advisory Panel’s proposal for shifting control of NORD to a new playground commission and for stabilizing and improving financial support.
- The plan is influenced by a recreation governance and funding system used in Baton Rouge that draws national praise.
- Under this proposal, the Mayor, the City Council and major sports franchises would nominate members of the new commission, who would be selected by local university presidents.
- A private foundation would assist in raising money
