Pontchartrain Park is a suburban style neighborhood located in east New Orleans as part of a subdistrict of the Gentilly area as the country's first planned[1] suburban area created for African Americans during segregation. It is bodied by two main thoroughfares- Press Street and Congress drive and surrounded with it winding and curving boundaries. It was one of the first suburban style neighborhoods for people of color in the South. It is home to special amenities such as a golf course, Southern University at New Orleans, and Wesley Barrow Stadium.
Pontchartrain Park edit
Pontchartrain[2] Park was created between 1955 and 1961 as a suburban style neighborhood in New Orleans for many African Americans. It stood as one of the first suburban like subdivisions in the segregated South. This park is located near the Gentilly neighborhood which is a predominantly white neighborhood. It is modeled after this Gentilly style neighborhood. This park opened to help with efforts in dismantling segregation throughout Louisiana. The landscape of the park wanted to mimic other thriving neighborhoods.
It is surrounded by twisted and winded streets, engulfed with a golf course and various sports fields. The idea of this park was to incorporate pedestrians and neighbors and have an engaging park. Press Street and Congress Drive serve as two main thoroughfares in Pontchartrain Park as they are curvy and winding themselves.
History edit
Pontchartrain Park was created after World War II in hopes of being one of the first and most successful suburban style neighborhoods for African Americans. This park gave hope to upper and middle class Black families believing that the American Dream could actually be attained. [3]It was developed by and for middle to upper class professional Black families in the 1950’s. Interestingly, the park was built after the landmark Supreme Court Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education decision to make segregation illegal. However, racial segregation was still legal in good old Louisiana. So, launching of the Ponchartrain Park subdivision was a response to that. Many whites were upset by the decision and integration in general that the mayor of Louisiana at that time, “Chep” Morrison, in 1954 “pleaded with the FHA to insure a subdivision for middle-class black professionals in Pontchartrain Park on a promise that it would not be integrated.[4]
Currently, Pontchartrain Park is home to three major surrounding facilities. It also includes a park, baseball and tennis courts. This neighborhood is now home to more younger residents and normally liberal residents. [5]The type of living style offers a more urban feel. Pontchartrain Park has been added to the National Register of Historic Places for its significance and history.
Surrounding Areas edit
- Wesley Barrow Stadium
- Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO)
- Joseph M. Bartholomew Golf Course
This is the outside picture of the baseball field at Wesley Barrow Stadium.
.jpg)
Wesley Barrow Stadium edit
Wesley Barrow Stadium is a softball and baseball complex located in Pontchartrain Park. It is home to the Major League Baseball Youth Urban Academy. It was named after the Negro League Manager, Wesley Barrow. It is home for surrounding Louisiana High school baseball games, Loyola, and UNO baseball and now home to Xavier University of Louisiana softball and baseball programs. The stadium hosts free, year-round baseball and softball instructional lessons for ages 7-17.
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) edit
Southern University A&M branch unit, Southern University at New Orleans is found directly across the street from Wesley Barrow Stadium in Pontchartrain Park. It is one of 3 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in New Orleans and apart of the Thurgood Marshall Fund.
Jospeh M. Bartholomew Golf Course edit
This golf course stretches from the entrance of Pontchartrain Park, winding and curving to behind the softball field in this area. This is home to a public course in the park.
References edit
- ^ writer, KAREN TAYLOR GIST | Staff. "A tree for every home in Pontchartrain Park: That's the urban landscape plan for next year". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ^ "Pontchartrain Park, New Orleans", Wikipedia, 2020-07-19, retrieved 2021-04-27
- ^ Hart, Katherine (2020-07-13). "Pontchartrain Park joins the National Register of Historic Places". Gentilly Messenger. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ^ "The History and Politics behind Pontchartrain Park". Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans. 2019-09-20. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ "Living in Pontchartrain Park". Niche. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ^ Advocate, RYAN WHIRTY Special to The. "MLB Urban Youth Academy breathes life into Wesley Barrow Stadium". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2021-04-28.