West End Lake Shore Park and Wildlife Habitat

09/03/2026

A photo taken from Bucktown Harbor of the Historic WPA era balustrades with what looks like the male nesting eagle of West End Lake Shore Park. We call him Jeff, short for Jefferson. His mate is named Nola.

The balustrades make for a textured photo. However the Jefferson Parish Council and the New Orleans City Council want to replace this irreplaceable scene with a 65' high - 2-story parking garage and 4-story retail building.

07/19/2026

This is a video that was sent to us from a March 22, 2026 event at Breakwater Park. When the event ended at Sunset, it took 1 hour to exit the park.

One solution would be to have the 200 car parking lot returned to being useable.

It shows what type of Traffic Control might be needed in the future as the City Council and Mayor Moreno seek to develop the park.

It took an hour for traffic to leave the park due to the stop signs.

During the last two years a non-profit has been hosting Sunday afternoon events at Breakwater Park and asking for donations to attend. Any organization can obtain 13 Special event permits per year at a site.

When the City Council designs the commercial development of the park, it needs to take into consideration that a parking structure for the new bars and restaurants will be occupied by others using the park.

Solutions:
First: One solution would be to have the 200 car parking lot returned to being useable. The City Council has kept the 200+ car parking lot closed needlessly for over a decade. That is what I am saying,

Second: It shows what type of Traffic Control might be needed in the future as the City Council and Mayor Moreno seek to develop the park.

It took an hour for traffic to leave the park due to the stop signs.
During the last two years a non-profit has been hosting Sunday afternoon events at Breakwater Park and asking for donations to attend. Any organization can obtain 13 Special event permits per year at a site.

Third: When the City Council designs the commercial development of the park, it needs to take into consideration that a parking structure for the new bars and restaurants will be occupied by others using the park and approximately 200 spaces are needed for the 380 tenants in the Harbor, Visitors to the park, and public events at the New Orleans Yacht Club.

They should not just build enough parking for the new bars and restaurants. Does that provide the clarity you need?

07/19/2026

This is a video that was sent to us from a March 22, 2026 event at Breakwater Park. When the event ended at Sunset, it took an hour for people to leave the park.

It shows what type of Traffic Control might be needed in the future as the City Council and Mayor Moreno seek to develop the park.

It took an hour for traffic to leave the park due to the stop signs.

07/08/2026

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

New Orleans earns national preservation recognition

New Orleans is the only entire city selected for the World Monuments Fund‘s inaugural “Irreplaceable America” list.

Tulane University‘s Heather Veneziano co-led the nomination with several New Orleans preservation organizations.

The designation highlights the city’s historic neighborhoods, architecture and cultural heritage while emphasizing climate resilience and preservation.

Representatives from the 10 selected sites will collaborate over the next year on preservation advocacy, research and community engagement.

New Orleans is the only city named to the World Monuments Fund's inaugural Irreplaceable America preservation list.

05/20/2026

Big win for West End Lake Shore Park!
SB-198 just passed, requiring new construction in Historic Districts to be reviewed for "appropriateness."

Now it's our turn: help us get the park on the National Historic Register! • Community support is key
Sign the petition now and make your voice heard:
https://www.change.org/p/nominate-west-end-lake-shore-park-for-the-national-historic-register

05/19/2026

On Monday SB-198 by Senator Beth Mizell passed the legislature by a vote of 90-2.
This Act requires review that new construction in Historic Districts must be reviewed for "Appropriateness."

In 2025, an application for West End Lake Shore Park to be on the National Historic Register (NHR) was filed. The New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission (HDLC) reported that the Park "Merits" being on the NHR. However, Mayor Moreno wrote a letter opposing the nomination and requesting the review committee not allow public comment on the application.

In April 2026, Rep Stephanie Hilferty, Deputy Mayor Joe Giarrusso, and Council Member Aimee McCarron proposed at the legislature to develop the park with up to 65' high buildings and a 20% increase in sales tax (from 10% to 12%) without public vote.

We seek to have public input in both of these matters. Please sign and share the petition. We currently have 276 signatures.
https://www.change.org/p/nominate-west-end-lake-shore-park-for-the-national-historic-register

05/10/2026

Floating Platforms for the West End Lake Shore Park Pelicans.

05/10/2026

The idea has been "Floated" to turn the unused pilings of the former restaurant sites into floating platforms for the Louisiana Brown and White Pelican.

This idea is opposed by the New Orleans City Council and Jefferson Parish Council as they favor commercial development of West End Lake Shore Park.

Artificial floating platforms are specialized conservation tools designed to provide secure, flood-resistant nesting and roosting habitats for pelicans, particularly the near-threatened Dalmatian pelican. These structures mimic natural islands and are often used in wetlands where natural nesting sites have been lost to human activity, storms, or fluctuating water levels.

05/10/2026

After being reviewed by the Historic District Landmarks Commission, they reported that West End Lake Shore Park merited being on the National Historic Register.

This was opposed by the 2025 New Orleans City Council.

https://sites.google.com/view/no-cmm-110525/clg-review-of-5-s-roadway-st

05/09/2026

https://sites.google.com/view/no-cmm-110525/clg-review-of-5-s-roadway-st