Initial Site Visit

Looking around we were able, only to begin, to understand the extent of the destruction of the surrounding communities in Gentilly. Houses were torn out of its foundations, the pillars lay in the muck…personal belongings were turned into public displays of  ”once upon a time”. It was very sad to see this, and surrounding communities, in such states of “forgotten-ness”. Roads were destroyed as well as the general infrastructure, so the area looks abandoned. Yet, there were some signs of “new beginnings” as some houses were being repaired, others towed in and a community that is showing interest in redeveloping the area to resemble the once happy Gentilly. This brings us to the Charles Donnelly Park, a once very tree dense park which the community saw as its playground. All that lays there now are a set of swings, 3 oak trees, a concrete slap and no idea of what it would’ve looked like before disaster struck.  In talking with the community I realized that their vision of the park is very specific and programmatic… swings, a memorial, a pavilion, an orchard, a fence, exercise areas for senior citizens and something to attract a younger crowd… all in all to make the park a reason to move back into the Gentilly area. Those are just some examples of what they were asking for, because there were many more. The community looks very excited and eager to redevelop the park and the fact that they have such specific expectations will prove a challenge in order to do something very original and unexpected and still gain their approval.  It would be very nice to make something of the site in order to bring the community together. We did mention in class that it would be a good idea if surrounding parks had a specific function, in that way it obligates the entire community to mesh, instead of separate into “donnelly playground park” goers or “filmore park” goers. Also, i think that developing these parks and opening the “jean gordo school” would be the key to reviving the community.