Enhancing the Canopy of the Oaks

A partnership project between the Garden District Association,
Tony & Katherine Gelderman, Parkway Partners, and Garden District property owners.

            Spearheaded and co-funded by our Garden District neighbors, Tony & Katherine Gelderman, and in cooperation with the City of New Orleans' Parkway Partners, the Enhancing the Canopy of Oaks project will plant new oak trees in appropriate locations in the neighborhood.  A quick study of the neighborhood streetscape has highlighted for us areas that need and are eligible for such trees.  The addition of these, we feel, will greatly restore and enhance our neighborhood's tree canopy.  Property owners who choose to participate will pay only a fraction of the cost of planting each oak tree and will benefit from the service of a professional landscaper as well as the peace of mind of knowing that the GDA has worked with the City to ensure that this tree will not interfere with any electrical wiring or other public domains.  The space needed per tree must be at least 3ft. x 5ft. and may not be located under electrical wire.  If you have not already received an application for the program in the mail and are interested in participating in our spring planting, please complete and send in the following form or email your request for more information to slandrieu@bellsouth.net.

            Participation in Enhancing the Canopy of Oaks means that you will pay just 1/3 the cost of planting each eligible oak tree at your location.  The remaining 2/3 of this cost will be paid for by the Garden District Association and our very generous neighbors, Tony & Katherine Gelderman. Upon final assessment of your location's eligibility for tree planting, you will be required to sign a contract to affirm your willingness to care for the life of the tree as well as deposit your cost of $125 to the project.*  Should cutting concrete or brick be required to implant the tree at your location, an additional $125 per tree will be charged to you.  We will provide you with helpful guidelines from Parkway Partners on how to best care for your tree.  Upon successful planting of the trees, your contribution to the neighborhood will be noted publicly. 

Please remit to:

Garden District Association
P.O. Box 50836
New Orleans, LA 70150-0836

Or fax to 894-8926

*Please be advised that trees will be planted on public property rather than private

Montero Park Renovation Fund

Please join the Montero Park Renovation Committee and the GDA in helping create a pleasant green space for us all to enjoy.  Montero Park is the only park in the Garden District—on Camp between Toledano and Pleasant, behind the A&P – and it suffered extensive damage from Katrina.   After the storm, some neighbors came together with their ideas and efforts to improve the park by creating the Montero Park Renovation Committee.  You may have already noticed the improvements at the park since the storm, including a new fence and tree plantings thanks to cooperation with NORD, neighbor donations, and matching funds from the GDA.  The Garden District Association (GDA) has already matched over $3500 of neighbor donations and has agreed to match up to $5,000 raised for this project.   Future plans for improvements include new light fixtures, an irrigation system, and further landscaping.

If you would like to see a park more fitting to the overall ambiance of the Garden District, please take a moment to submit your contribution to the Montero Park Renovation Fund.  For more information contact the GDA office at 525-7608 / slandrieu@bellsouth.net or Larry Schmidt at 620-5142 / larry.schmidt@tpl.org.

Please make checks payable to:
GDA Montiero Park Fund, P.O. Box 50836, NOLA 70150

Montero Park Renovation Committee: Larry Schmidt, Chairman; Lisa Brener, Rick Mathun, Holly Pavy, Phil Soulet, Lorin Gaudin, James Reies, Jolynn King, and Susan Tyler representing the GDA.