Volunteers Needed! Help to Build an Inner City Park in New Orleans

Since Hurricane Katrina, the lights at Stallings Playground in New Orleans have not worked. It is so dark at night that you literally can not see your hand in front of your face. This has in turn has encouraged undesirable activity.

Local resident Charles London says about the non working lights, "Not only is it a safety issue for those that may choose to use the park after it has been redone, but it is currently a hotbed of activity for those entrepreneurs who choose nefarious deeds for their income."

He has also enlisted the support of the New Orleans Police Department, stating, "The NOPD has been very responsive when I have asked for assistance but they do not have the manpower to adequately quell the surge in criminal activity in the park. They have parked their mobile command center at the park randomly several times. However, the criminals know that the unit is unmanned and it is only a slight deterrent. Having the lights on at night would help considerably."

Just this week, new crime data shows that homicides are up 30% from 2006 in New Orleans. Now you can help.

On Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., volunteers are needed to help revitalize the Stallings Playground at 1600 Gentilly Blvd (across from the Fair Grounds) in New Orleans. NBA Cares has already put up new basketball goals and NIKE has installed a rubberized surface on the basketball court (in photo above). KABOOM!, a national non-profit that is devoted to creating a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, will install new playground equipment in partnership with the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association.

Check out a bit of Stallings Playground history here.

There will be food, music, and great people working together to help make New Orleans better.

Contact Michael Nuwer at 504-486-1575 or Charles London at excelsior@mindspring.com if you can join them! Help to build a legacy that will benefit generations to come!

I'm sure the children will love their new playground and hopefully it will deter the criminal activity that occurs there at night.