08/12/2021
WISNER DOG RUN USER SUGGESTS TREES NOT PLASTIC
Re: Native trees in Wisner dog park rather than artificial turf
December 7, 2021
To: Edgar Alexis, COO NORD; Jay H. Banks, City Councilman District B; Avis Brock, Director of Community Affairs District B; Kuffa Jones, President Bouligny improvement Association Board of Directors; Bruce Crutcher, Treasurer Bouligny Improvement Association Board of Directors
From: Maclyn Hickey
Dear All,
This purpose of this memorandum is for some of us who bring our dogs to Wisner dog park to express ideas and propose solutions to improve the dog park and basketball spectator areas.
Some of the problems that we would like to address are little to no shade in both the dog park and the basketball spectator areas, and puddles that remain after rain showers in dog park.
We are speaking up because we learned about a plan to put artificial turf in the dog park which we absolutely do not want. Artificial turf is plastic and harmful to environment. Also we can only imagine the filth and stench as dog f***s and urine are caught in the plastic and bake in the summer heat, and in puddles from rain storms. Parasites and diseases from f***s could harm dogs and humans.
Rather than artificial turf, our solution to the problems of no shade and lingering puddles is to plant many native trees which would thrive. They absorb rain—a bald cypress can absorb 880 gallons of water in a day, a live oak 1000 gallons--, provide shade and cooler temperatures. Leaves help compost dog f***s, and trees are beautiful, making the park attractive and welcoming. Many trees grouped together also provide a wind barrier during storms.
Soulnola.org would be an excellent choice for this project. They have partnered successfully with NORD and are writing a Tree Master Plan at the city’s request to increase canopy. I have volunteered for three years with Soulnola.org and talked with them about the dog park. Soulnola said that if NORD and Bouligny neighborhood groups support a plan for trees in Wisner dog park, they agree to donate, plant and water native trees for a year at no charge to the city.
Please consider planting native trees in Wisner dog park and the adjacent basketball spectator area. We hope Jay Banks could support this plan since he is among the best informed council people on green infrastructure.
Unfortunately I cannot attend Wednesday’s 1pm zoom meeting. I hope this memorandum explains my views, and those of other dog park users. Please call me with any questions 504-234-0451.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
