This is Bunny Friend Park in the 9th ward of New Orleans where Hurricane Katrina did her best to destroy, and the levees followed suit…
Bunny Friend Park was named for Joseph E. and Ida Weis Friend’s son “Bunny” who died at the age of 18. Together with the family, the community raised money to build a playground, but the years had taken its toll – and as part of my visit to New Orleans, we volunteered to give it a mini-Extreme Makeover.
We painted the clubhouse.
We built trash receptacle fences (you know, to make them look more attractive!)
We built picnic tables.
And we planted trees all around the perimeter of the park.
It was a great experience – very rewarding – even though it was 96 degrees….on the bayou…with 196% humidity…seriously. (Sweet mercy. What a hot day!)
One of the most interesting (and heartbreaking) parts were the remaining shells of houses that have now been abandoned.
We had the opportunity to work alongside some of the remaining residents, and they said most folks that had lived there didn’t have homeowners insurance – and just couldn’t afford to rebuild. So they left. Plucked out during the disaster, and had never returned.
It was really sad – but it seems that the community is bouncing back, slowly but surely.
It was such a gift to be able to go there, and volunteer – I mean, haven’t you watched disasters on television and wished you could help? It’s never too late!
- Girl Turns 40
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