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The Big Lake Native Plant Trail at New Orleans City Park is an ongoing NPI project that began in 2019. The trail is near the swan boat, surrey, and bike rental area and features hundreds of native plants to inspire gardeners and provide habitat. City Park hosts volunteer work at the trail every Friday morning, and it’s a great way to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and make a real difference in a location seen by hundreds of people every day.
Every day, hundreds of local residents and visitors from out of town visit New Orleans City Park, and many of them enjoy the trail around Big Lake. The Big Lake Native Plant Trail features native plants that inspire gardeners, provide habitat, and showcase the beauty of Louisiana.
The Big Lake Native Plant Trail was originally named City Park Big Lake Louisiana Trail and was designed to represent the state’s various plant regions. It soon became apparent that plants from other regions of the state did not always perform well in New Orleans and many of the plantings fell into disrepair as the years passed.
In 2019, NPI joined forces with New Orleans City Park, the New Orleans Town Gardeners and the Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans to rehabilitate the trail with a focus on local native plants. The team removed invasive trees and replanted gardens, and today the Big Lake Native Plant Trail is a showplace full of native blooms, beloved by birds and buzzing with pollinators. Signs along the trail identify plants and explain their ecosystem benefits, inspiring passersby to include native plants in their own landscapes. The trail became an official Louisiana Certified Habitat Program area in October 2023 with 122 native species, which is gold level and then some!
City Park hosts volunteer work at the trail every Friday morning; to see schedules and sign up for specific dates, go to the Friends of City Park Volunteer Hub. The video below, made in partnership with the New Orleans Town Gardeners, explains the crucial importance of native plants and the goals of NPI.