Yesterday, I attended 1 one of the 3 Transition New Orleans Recreation Task Force Public Meetings – held by the New Orleans Recreation Department Citizens Advisory Panel (NORDcap). The goal of NORDcap is to provide recommendations for the development of high quality, broad-based playgrounds, facilities, programs and services creating a sense of community, enabling a safe and secure environment, and enhancing New Orleans’ quality of life.

By far the biggest thing that clearly stood out last night is how extremely passionate the citizens of New Orleans are about improving recreational opportunities and facilities because of how critical it is to the proper formation of our youths.

Coaches, parents, children and communities leaders stood up one by one; taking their 2 minutes and 30 seconds to express their concerns, disappointment, and burning desire to see changes in NORD and to see community parks, facilities and programs returned and be properly managed.

In the last five years, since Katrina, it’s clear that the citizens of the city, the parents, coaches, booster clubs and volunteers have put forth the efforts, the money, the time, love, and care in reviving the parks, and organizing the programs.  The citizens of New Orleans are heart broken by the recent raise of violence and are demanding change and better opportunities, and programs for the kids in the city.

The members of the NORDcap chaired by Rod West, CEO, Entergy New Orleans, Inc. and Roy Glapion, Founder and past President, Citywide Testing & Inspections, Inc., listened carefully, took notes and have a big job to fill in making the best possible recommendations to Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

To find out more about the New Orleans Recreation Task Force I recommend listening to the New Orleans Recreation Department Citizens Advisory Panel presentation to the New Orleans City Council, August 28, 2009 – Rod West clearly articulates the current situation, the issues that need to be addressed, the challenges ahead, and mission NORDcap has undertaken.

I personally stood up last night, stepped to the microphone and expressed that as the parks and recreation centers are revived, it’s critical that the entire family and community is taken into account. As the CEO of Be Fit NOLA – what I’ve discovered is how many people have no access to any kinds of facilities or ability to exercise and workout.  I do believe it’s critical to setup programs for kids but it’s also imperative to give parents access to exercise programs and equipment.  Lets setup Green Gyms in our parks…lets invest in the health of the citizens in New Orleans by providing parks and recreation centers that support all – people of all ages.

I really hope that amazing things will happen in the next few years…real change, real improvement, real innovation.