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NORD Completes Month Of Volunteerism

Section: Community

NORD COMPLETES MONTH OF VOLUNTEERISM
The Rehabilitation of Parks and Playgrounds Remain A Priority in
City's Recovery Efforts

NEW ORLEANS, LA (March 24, 2009) - This weekend, the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) will complete a month of volunteer efforts to clean and restore the City's baseball fields in time for the season kick off. The final clean-up event will take place on Saturday, March 28th at Bodenger Playground located 3400 Kansas Street in Algiers. The Boy Scouts of America, New Orleans Chapter, will restore the field from 9a.m.until noon.

During March, NORD welcomed more than 300 student volunteers from the University of Vermont, Hope Stanley Foundation, Alabama State University, The University of Florida, Bowie State University, The Nobel & Greenough School and Elmhurst University. The volunteers also included the Boy Scouts, New Orleans Chapter, and others traveling from as far as Canada.

"As we near the fourth year in our recovery from the nation's worst natural and man-made disaster, which damaged or destroyed 100 percent of our parks and playgrounds, this month we refocused our volunteer efforts on restoring baseball fields in time for the start of baseball season," said Larry Barabino, Jr., Director of NORD. "With the current budget constraints and the challenge of securing the necessary funding from the FEMA Public Assistance program, we acknowledge and appreciate the help of these organizations."

As a part of the volunteer program, students worked in the Donsereaus/Harrison, Norman, Joe Brown Memorial, Goretti, Milne, Taylor, McDonald, and Bodenger Parks along with NORD's Behrman Stadium removing debris, painting facilities and restoring baseball fields for youth play.

NORD continues to work with the City of New Orleans Capital Projects Department and the State to accelerate the rehabilitation of more facilities, parks and playgrounds. To date, 60 NORD rebuild projects are either in the planning, design or construction phase. Barabino is also working with FEMA to restore and return 14 facilities to the City. So far, FEMA has completed 4 of the fields, with 11 remaining.

"During this process, we've encountered some challenges with FEMA as to the proper restoration of some of the fields. We've noticed water not properly draining from the fields, which is a major concern for utilization. We also want to make sure the fencing is properly installed, play equipment is replaced, and that there are no construction issues before re-opening for youth play," said Baribino.

To date, FEMA has obligated $11.1 million for the restoration of NORD facilities, and the City has received $1.5 million from the State. The City estimates it will cost approximately $73 million to repair NORD facilities.

For more information on NORD events and programs, contact the NORD office at (504) 658-3000. Citizens can also call 311.

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CONTACT:
James Ross, (504) 906-9123
jross@mayorofno.com
Lesley Eugene (504) 416-7694
leugene@mayorofno.com

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