New Orleans’ sprawling City Park is a popular destination for pedestrians and bicyclists. The lush urban greenspace is New Orleans’ biggest recreation area; it’s some 50% larger than New York’s famed Central Park and attracts nearly as many visitors, as well as hosting music festivals and holiday events. Now, the park’s network of bike pathways is receiving a big addition.
City Park announced Wednesday that they’ve started work on the Marconi Bike/Pedestrian Path. The pathway will complete the city’s ambitious four-part bike path project, which includes paths along Robert E Lee, Wisner, and Harrison, and include the addition of a marked crossing point at Filmore. “The Marconi Bike Path fills in the missing link and provides a safe and scenic path between Robert E. Lee and Harrison,” said Park CEO Robert Becker. The 10 foot wide concrete pathway will run along the east side of Marconi and include a beautiful view of a lagoon between oak and cypress trees.
The path, part of the Transportation Enhancement Project, was designed by Bark Kleinpeter, Inc. and will be built by Command Construction Industries. The path is a great addition to the city’s rapidly growing bike culture, along with the city’s newly announced plan for widespread bike rentals. It also gives tourists and locals even more reason to visit City Park, which also boasts boat rides, gardens, and sports facilities, as well as the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. The groundbreaking is scheduled to begin at the corner of Robert E. Lee and Marconi on Tuesday, January 10.
