NEWS RELEASES
The Lafitte Greenway Nourishes New Orleans' Economy
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through The Outdoor Industry Association's website.
The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) reports that New Orleans tourism reigns supreme post-Katrina, with investments in recreation infrastructure fueling the city’s economic recovery. The city’s social, economic and cultural recovery has sprung, largely, from a single, central project - the Lafitte Greenway. Plans for a rails-to-trails project along the corridor were heating up just before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, but the destruction and rebuilding led instead to the Lafitte Greenway, a 2.6-mile recreation trail that connects more than 100 miles of bike lanes and paths through and between major points of the city.
As quoted in a article by Shauna Farnell on OIA, Jay Nix of Parkway Bakery and Tavern, said, “The greenway, what it is today, is really spectacular,” says the owner of arguably the most iconic and popular Po’ Boy shop in all of New Orleans. In a study called the Louisiana Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, it's shown that 57% of the stater's residents participate in outdoor rec each year. In addition, it was reported that more direct jobs in Louisiana depend on outdoor recreation (103,000) than the oil and gas extraction, pipeline, and refining industries combined (65,000). New Orleans’ traditions and character have also been integrated into the trail, with family friendly celebrations like the annual Voodoo Festival, a Halloween party and bicycle-decorating for Mardi Gras.
For more info on the Lafitte Greenway and tourism in NOLA, click here.