We should have a beach in New Orleans. We used to have Pontchartrain Beach and Lincoln Beach.
WWL-TV posted a story titled: "It was our little piece of heaven | Push to revive Lincoln Beach" by reporter Leigha McNeil. The article addresses the fact that we once had beaches for recreation in New Orleans but now we have none.
On my talk show on WWL I have always pointed out how pathetic it is that considering the long shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain and the banks of the Mississippi River - we have so few spots that view the lake or the river. In other cities with this much waterfront property, restaurants, bars, hotels, and homes are more common. But why not here?
Collectively, New Orleans is a city made up of extremely territorial people. It seems that the people who are in a position to inspire more development are reluctant to do so, and the reasons are varied. But if other cities manage to do more on the water, then why can't we?
Lincoln Beach was an actual beach just east of Lakefront Airport. It opened in the 1930s and reopened in 1954 but closed 10 years later. The area is still there, but there is no way to facilitate the beach area for the public.
There used to be a sandy beach area associated with the Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park which closed in 1983. The sad fact is that beaches - Pontchartrain and Lincoln - could be opened!
A plan to develop Pontchartrain Beach into a recreational beach area was halted and while the excuses may have seemed legit on paper, the fact remains that the right people found ways to shut it down.
When I was growing up - Lincoln Beach was the beach for Black citizens, but the world has changed and I would hope that if Lincoln Beach did reopen, it would be for everyone.
As I was talking about the lack of development on Lake Pontchartrain, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser called into the show and talked about his idea of using the lake bottom to create recreational islands in Lake Pontchartrain. Great idea - but there still should be the beach areas developed for those who would have no means to reach the islands. I'm sure there would be ferries to get people to the islands, but the beach areas along the shore would be more accessible. Nungesser also pointed out that using the lake bottom to create the islands would make the lake deeper and healthier for fish and marine life - especially when the weather is brutally hot.
Lt. Gov. Nungesser echoed what I have talked about so many times - the people who could make changes happen don't like change. Maybe their lives are set with money and status and they simply don't want things to change.
New Orleans is a great city that could - and should - be greater. We have a long history of not utilizing our resources and the laissez faire mentality here prevents us from being the best we can be.
The story of Disney's interest in developing Disney World in New Orleans East is a microcosm for the city. Apparently - the city's politicians and power brokers were so greedy that Disney decided to move the development to Orlando, FL. The rest is history.
The current mentality that stifles our city has been bred into our DNA and it may take younger generations to breed out that mentality and change the attitude of New Orleans.
I love this city, but I don't love the fact that there are areas that could - and should - be beaches accessible to the public on Lake Pontchartrain; but those areas remain dormant - as do the minds of many who could bring changes to New Orleans.