Summer 2012

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“ E v e r y g r e a t c i t y n e e d s a g r e a t p a r k t h a t n e e d s g r e a t f r i e n d s ! ”

“Thank you for being our Friend!”

Friends’ Fest is an exclusive night for Friends of City Park members, featuring free admission, free rides, free treats and live performers. Withattendance for 2011 reaching over 800 people, this year’s event is sure to be an exciting night as well as a resounding success.

Making this year bigger than ever, the 2012 Fiat POP Hatchback Rafflewill be drawn at 8 p.m! Only 2,000 tickets will be sold and will be availablefor purchase leading up to the drawing. Tickets are $75 per chance and benefit the new entrance to the Botanical Garden and Storyland. Friends extends thanks to Ray Brandt Automotive and Fiat of New Orleansfor their generous donation. For more information and for official rules,please visit www.friendsofcitypark.com/raffle.htm.

Ticket for entry is a valid Friends of City Park membership or Fiat Raffleticket (admit one per ticket); number of patrons allowed into the event underone membership is outlined in various membership levels. Memberships andraffle tickets will be sold the night of the event at the Carousel GardensAmusement Park gate or can be purchased in advance.

For more information and to purchase a FOCP membership and/or raffleticket please call 504-483-9376 or visit www.friendsofcitypark.com.We hope that you will be able to join us this year for Friends’ Fest! Yoursupport allows us to continue the great works that we began over 30 yearsago, and we would like to thank you!

Join us for the third annual Friends’ Fest on Wednesday, July 25, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park & Storyland.

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Hello Dear Friends and HappySummer to All!!

Summer is a great time tovisit City Park and discover allthe cool things to do!

First and foremost, however,Lark in the Park 2012’s tallycontinues to rise and the effortsof our stellar chairs continue to multiply with the FIAT carraffle! Kudos to Gayle Benson,Margo Dubos and Juli MillerHart and honorary chairGenevieve Trimble. Thanks alsoto Friends’ board member NinaKilleen who along with JasonVillemarette and his Fire on theBayou crew produced a publicservice announcement spot promoting the FIAT car rafflefor local TV stations. There isstill time to participate!! Getyour raffle tickets today!!

President’sMessage

2 • Friends of City Park • Summer 2012

Friends of City Park have sever-al fun, upcoming events!

First on tap is the third annual,members-only Friends’ Fest onWednesday, July 25, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. Friends of all ages willhave the Carousel GardensAmusement Park and Storyland all to themselves. This memberappreciation event features freeadmission, free rides, a few surpriseguests and more!! Make plans nowto attend your special night at thepark! Spread the word, too, becausenew Friends can join – and formerFriends can renew – at the gate andenjoy! The highlight of the nightwill be the drawing of the winningFIAT POP 500 raffle ticket at 8:00 p.m. Special thanks to RayBrandt, the Ray Brandt AutomotiveGroup and FIAT of New Orleans!!

The 9th annual Martini Madnesson Friday, September 21, 2012promises to please! Leigh Thorpe,Annie Orillac Thibodeaux alongwith Taylor Spectorsky and theircommittee are busy planning another great event!! This year’sMartini Madness will be held at the Arbor Room. New this year will be an Early Admission optionfor Friends’ members. Fred Holleywho was very instrumental in creating Martini Madness is honorary chairman. In keeping with the Friends’ mission offundraising for capital improve-ments, proceeds from this year’sMartini Madness are dedicated for a new train car on the miniature train. Sponsorship levels are available.

Dessa Rutter Giffin, PresidentFriends of City Park

Follow Friends of City Park on

The ever popular Ghosts inthe Oaks will take place onFriday, October 19 and Saturday,October 20, 2012. Plan to doubleyour pleasure!! This traditional,non-scary Halloween event held in the Carousel GardensAmusement Park is fun for children of all ages! Mark yourcalendars and get your tickets inadvance as this promises to be a sell-out weekend!

We are especially excitedbecause the 2012 FOCP ornamentwill soon arrive! The 2012 IndiaStewart-designed Friends of CityPark ornament features thebeloved, iconic Peristyle. Thestylish and popular India Stewartcommemorative Lark in the Park pin is in its 2nd minting and available in the gift shop and on line at www.friendsofcitypark.com.

Please mark your calendars:

The 9th annual Martini MadnessFriday September 21, 20127 to 8 p.m. Early Admission forFriends’ members 8 to 11 p.m.Martinis, food, music, fun and more!!

Ghosts in the Oaks Friday October 19 & Saturday, October 20, 2012Carousel Gardens Amusement Park6 to 7 p.m. Early Admission7 to 10 p.m. General AdmissionNon-scary event for childrenRides, Candy, Crafts, Costumesand more!!

Call the Friends office for more information about upcoming events: 504-483-9376, visit our websitewww.friendsofcitypark.com and check us out on Facebook!

Come soon, come often andenjoy City Park and your manymember benefits!

Buy your raffle tickets!!

Looking forward to seeing you atthe park,

Dessa Rutter GiffinPresident, Friends of City Park

Celebrate Christmas in July!

Don’t miss out on the chance to grow your ornament collection at just $5 per ornament! To purchase, please visit www.friendsofcitypark.com/shop.htm.

It’s Summer and we are celebratingChristmas in July!

For the first time, Friends of City Park will hold a month longonline sale on the annual commemorative ornaments.

Each whimsical ornament or ornament set will be HALF OFF!

These ornaments include the 2008 Popp Fountain,2009 Storyland Castle, 2010 Storyland Whale,

and the 2011 Storyland Three Little Pigs.

The Popp Bandstand was dedicated on July 4, 1917, and was designed by Emile Weil. Millionaire John F. Poppdonated $7,500 for a new concert stand to replace one built in 1902. “The style of the antiquated music stand is not in harmony with that of the other buildings recently constructed in the park,” said Popp. He and his wife loved the neoclassical architecture and fashioned the new bandstand to complement the Peristyle.

Enhance your home and garden with beautifulgreenery purchased fromthe New OrleansBotanical Garden. Mark your calendar withthese upcoming plant saleand garden show events:

Summer 2012 • Friends of City Park • 3

Picture from the Past

Botanical Garden Plant Sales

AUGUST 11Pelican Greenhouse9 a.m. - Noon

SEPTEMBER 29-30Fall Garden Festival10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OCTOBER 13Pelican Greenhouse9 a.m. - Noon

Summer Funin the

Sun

The Pelican Greenhouse is located just off Henry Thomas (Golf) Drive just south of the I-610 underpass.

Bring a wagon and arrive early for best selection. For additional information,

visit our website at www.garden.neworleanscitypark.com,

call 504-483-9464 or e-mail [email protected]

With its wealth of activities and amenities, City Park is the perfect place for summer fun foreveryone. Whirl, twirl, twist and turn at CarouselGardens (make the most of your money with aSeason Pass). Show off your strokes at the CityPark/Pepsi Tennis center or the driving range. Dipyour pole in the lagoons and see what you catch.Ride the trails under the oaks on horseback or abike. Cruise leisurely on Big Lake aboard a pedalboat or row boat. FOCP members get discounts onadmissions and services so take advantage of yourmembership and come enjoy these activities withyour family and friends. For more details, check outCity Park’s website, www.neworleanscitypark.comor call the following numbers:Carousel Gardens, Storyland, Boat and BikeRentals 483-9402Tennis 483-9383Golf 483-9410Equest Farm 483-9398

Bob Becker, CEO

On June 12, we signed acontract for construction ofthe two miniature golf courses which will be locatedon Victory Drive across fromthe amusement park and storyland. Durr Construction,a local firm will be buildingour courses. Bids for the tick-et and bathroom building willbe received by the middle ofJuly. We are very excited

about this project and wantto thank the Friends and theproject’s many sponsors forsupporting the project. Look for opening to bebefore the beginning of summer in 2013!

Construction on theFestival Grounds behindChristian Bros. continueswith a fall opening anticipated.

To those of you who have responded to our appeal for funds for ourongoing tree care program,thank you. We have a vari-ety of programs concerningour trees from eliminatinginvasive species to plantingnew live oaks. Your giftsmake up an important part of the resources necessary to continue this program.New planting occurs whenthe heat of the summerbreaks in the fall.

And speaking of hot –How hot is it? It is so hot

Letter fromthe CEO


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M i c h a e l J . M a r s i g l i aPast President /Ex Off ic io

E u g e n e P r e a u sRepresent ing Botanical Garden Foundat ion

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C o n t ro l l e rK e v i n C o x

that everyone needs to take properprecautions! While it is wonderfulto see so many people using thePark’s many facilities, it is impor-tant to prepare yourself and yourfamily for the summer heat whenvisiting us. Hats, sunscreen andmost importantly, proper hydration,are absolutely essential. Do notleave anyone, human or pet, locked in your car!

Finally, for the third consecutiveyear, the Governor and theLegislature did not include the Park in the general funding bill for the State. This fact continues to require the Park to raise over85% of our operating dollars fromactivities in the Park. So to thoseof you who are members of theFriends or who rent a Park facility,make a gift to the Park, or volun-teer your time in the Park, we saythank you for supporting City Park!

Robert W. Becker Ph.D.Chief Executive Officer, City Park

The Arbor Room at Popp Fountain is now fully functioning and has been a popularwedding venue since its opening earlier this year. Friends of City Park contributedmore than $500,000 for the facility and dedicated last year’s Martini Madness fundsto beautify the area. This year, the Arbor Room will be the site of this popularfundraiser so you can experience this fabulous facility firsthand. We’ll see you thereon Friday, September 21.

Martini Madness at The Arbor Room


Get Ready for the Madness on September 21

Making Way for Mini GolfConstruction is scheduled

to begin in mid-July for two 18-hole miniature golf coursesalong Victory Avenue. Thecourses will occupy a 2.5-acretract of land that was once hometo the City Park Tennis Courts. It has been more than 20 yearssince City Park had a miniaturegolf course.

“The courses will be bothNew Orleans and Louisianathemed with lush, green featuresrather than the typical whimsicallook of most courses that cater tojust children. The course willoffer another entertainmentopportunity for families, particu-

larly those who have outgrownStoryland and the amusementpark.” says John Hopper, CityPark’s Development Director.

Cost of the project will benearly $2 million and is pro-jected to debut in the summerof 2013. The park has reliedon major donations from spon-sors. The Friends of City Parkhas also contributed to theeffort and raised monies for thecourse with Lark in the Park2011.

Miniature golf opened inthe 1920s in City Park; another course debuted alongMarconi Drive in 1967.

The Martini Madness committeeis busily preparing for what is sureto be another exciting and success-ful fundraiser. Mark your calendarfor September 21, 2012 to attendthe 9th annual event hosted byFriends of City Park and RepublicNational Distributing Companywhich will take place this year inthe newly renovated Arbor Roomat Popp’s Fountain.

The evening will feature morethan 30 specialty martinis rangingfrom the classic martini to one-of-

Friends’Lark in the Park red-carpettrees were recently planted in a citrusorchard on the Grow Dat Youth Farm.Area students assisted with the planting. Pictured are: From left to right: Johanna Gilligan, Co-Director/ProgramManager, Grow Dat Youth Farm; student Roland Coleman; AmyZellweger, Garden Coordinator and Lead Teacher Langston HughesAcademy; student Daurance Mcclendon;and Macon Fry, Farm Advisor.

a-kind creations and exquisite eats from local restaurants. Music, dancing,a photo booth, and prizes round out this festive fundraiser. Martini Madness2012 is chaired by Leigh MorganThorpe and Annie Orillac Thibodeaux.Proceeds from the event will supportthe funding of a new train car for the iconic miniature train that tours thepark. Tickets go on sale August 24th!To receive up to date information, be sure to join our email list atwww.friendsofcitypark.com and “Like” us on Facebook.

Making Roots!

Top row, left to right: Earl Lennie, Mollie Copeland, Leigh Thorpe, Mary K Klinefelter, Annie Shrenk, Michelle Clarke, Dana Parks Bottom Row: Casie Duplechain, SamanthaCarducci, Taylor Spectorsky


Getting ready for

Magic in the Moonlight is anal fresco dinner fete held on thegrounds of the New OrleansBotanical Garden. This Fall willmark our third year, and the four-course, seated dinner will be held on Friday, October 19underneath the beautifully lit oaks.

Chairmen Carla Adams,Rebecca Schultz and Liz Sloss arepleased to announce that we arehonoring Paul Soniat andGenevieve Munson Trimble atthis year’s dinner.

Magic inthe Moonlight

- S e a s o n S c h e d u l e -

Paul Soniat has been Directorof The New Orleans BotanicalGarden for 30 years. Events host-ed at the Botanical Garden underPaul’s direction include the SpringGarden Show, the Fall GardenShow, Thursdays at TwilightConcert Series and now Magic inthe Moonlight Garden Dinner.

Gen Trimble began in 1983 as head of the New OrleansBotanical Garden AdvisoryCommittee which grew into theNew Orleans Botanical GardenFoundation. In that role she hasbeen the prime leader in restora-tion and enlargement of this historical garden.

Together Paul and Gen spearheaded fundraising and construction of the Pavilion ofTwo Sisters and the renovation of the Garden Study Center, LathHouse and Conservatory. TheNew Orleans Historic TrainGarden was constructed as well as the Zemurray Azalea/CamelliaGarden, Tropical Garden, PalmGarden, Native Plant Garden andthe Southern Shade Garden.

The Magic in the Moonlightdinner will be prepared byEmeril’s Chef Chris Wilson withChefs de Cuisine from Emeril’s,NOLA and Emeril’s Delmonico.Jeremy Davenport will be ourguest entertainer.

We hope you will join us for atruly incredible evening.

Paul Soniat and Genevieve Munson Trimble


We are especially grateful to Jason Villemaretteand his team from Fire on the Bayou for generouslydonating their time and talent to produce a publicservice announcement promoting the Friends of CityPark Fiat raffle. Jason and his family live near CityPark, and they are frequent visitors. If you attendedLark in the Park, you would have seen Fire on theBayou’s handiwork as the company also producedthe video for that event. The Fiat PSA is posted onYouTube, Facebook and Twitter so everyone canshare it with their friends. Check with the FOCPoffice to get the links so you can help spread the word.

Filming the Fiatfor Friends’ Funds

Take a Chance!! Pictured L to R: Good friends indeed! Jason Villemarette and Randy De Leo fromFire on the Bayou get the Fiat ready for its closeup in the PSA promoting the raffle. The winningraffle ticket will be drawn at Friends’ Fest on July 25.

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Mark Your CalendarJuly - October, 2012

Thursdays at TwilightConcert Series

July 25, 2012Friends’ Fest /

Fiat Raffle DrawingSeptember 21, 2012Martini Madness

October 19 & 20, 2012Ghosts in the Oaks

“Every great city needs a great parkthat needs great friends!”

Summer 2012

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