Alcee Fortier Park

This little oasis on Esplanade avenue is the sort of tranquil park that everyone wishes they had in their neighborhood; a place to sit and picnic, gather with friends, or just sit alone and read a book.This park is the result of wonderful individuals, planning, planting and caring for a spot that had been ignored for many years (before it was this lovely oasis some used to call it dog s#*t park). The result is something amazing for everyone to share. Thank YOU, caring wonderful neighbors!!!Once a year the neighborhood has a tiny festival as a fund raiser to support the needs of the park. This year's Fortier Fest featured Walter Wolfman Washington and had a special guest appearance by Allen Toussaint.Go across the street, get a bottle of wine, or an iced coffee, and a sandwich, come back and have a lovely picnic!!

As I was wandering around the park, an older gentleman who called himself Snake introduced himself as the neighborhood watch and we got talking and he had stories about "how things used to be" and he was very informative about this neighborhood.Cute neighborhood park with chess/checker tables, benches, water fountains and sculptures in this triangle shaped plot of land, I can see old neighbors catching up, young parents hanging out with their toddlers and life happening.If your going to bring your fur babies, be kind to others and pick up their droppings. No one wants to accidently step in #2, or have their small human baby pick it up!The park was named for Alcée Fortier (June 5, 1856 - 1914) was a renowned Professor of Romance Languages at Tulane University in New Orleans. In the late 19th and early 20th century, he published numerous works on language, literature, Louisiana history and folklore, Louisiana Creole languages, and personal reminiscence. His perspective was valuable because of his French Creole ancestry. He was president of the Modern Language Association and Louisiana Historical Society, was appointed to the State Board of Education, and was active in the American Folklore Society and the New Orleans Academy of Sciences.

I got to really enjoy this park this weekend with Terranova's 90th Anniversary party with acts that you'd pay the big bucks to see playing on Jazz Fest stages. The Iguanas and John Boutte were playin' under a tiny lil' tent to the Mid City crowd! The range in age went from itty-bitties to blue-haired biddies.This park is usually a quiet little spot for an intimate picnic or a game of chess/checkers on the permanent chess/checkerboard tables. I love the transformation into a mini festival for the neighborhood and I'd love to see more of this action over here! I would suggest on a water-riddled day such as this to rock some rain boots, and if you have tykes...I hope you have a hose at home 'cause kids love mud like I love Bloody Marys. But not all over my face, hands, knees, elbows...maybe that's a bad analogy. While there is some seating around the park, I would also suggest toting a lawn chair to chillax in, and maybe a towel, just in case the muddy children are told by their parents to come hug you because you're staring and snapping pics to send to your friends who are also childless. And if you've got fur babies, remember to bring those doggie bags! I can handle a little mud on the boots but not your dog's dookie. Thanks!

If it weren't for my Yelpy friends, I wouldn't have known the name of this charming little oasis. I've parked my car adjacent to this park a bajillion times as I sampled the restaurants on Esplanade. I've enjoyed the plantings, the art, the benches all supplied by local residents. I love that this park is allowed to be semi-wild with raucous plantings but never looks uncared for. Truly a great spot to stop and take a breath.

I agree with all the precious reviews, this is just a quaint and well-maintained park. It's shaped like a triangle with tons of shade, chairs, a chess table, and little nooks and crannies to relax in. Plus the artwork interspersed in the park is beautiful and enhances the look of the park.Plus it's conveniently located on esplanade avenue right across from Cafe Degas, Nonna Mia, Canseco's etc. This is a prime example of what a community park is supposed to look like and you can tell that people love this space! It's funny because I didn't even realize this was called a park until Yelp. Glad to finally know the name of it! It's a lovely spot to relax and stay cool in the shade! Plus it's conveniently located near one of my girlfriend's place so bonus!Happy Park Enjoying!

Love this cute little neighborhood park. It's always being used. There's lots of trees and greenery in this tiny strip of land next to Esplanade. I love seeing people using the chess/checkers tables for those games. Humans and their happy dogs love greeting each other by the fresh flowers and tranquil fountain. I make it a point to make this a pit stop during my walks as much as possible. Sitting on one of those benches always melt my troubles away.

This park is a wonderful example of what a magical neighborhood Mid-City is, because this little triangular park is full of awesome - lounge chairs, chess boards, art, flowers, and more. Compare it to the similarly-sized triangle shaped park up the street (not sure if that one has a name), and you can see the difference between a park that people really care about (landscaped, oasis of awesome) and one that people clearly don't (barren, empty, scraggly patch of land between streets). I used to hang out here while waiting for my laundry to dry across the street, and I'll occasionally chill out here for a few minutes on my way to Bayou Boogaloo/Voodoo Fest/Jazz Fest or whatever other to-do I find myself walking to from my house. (It's not a bad walk, but 15-20 minutes in the heat is enough to warrant a few minutes on a bench in this park.)

Lush little oasis providing a relaxing bit of nature in the city. Benches and grass for relaxing.

Oddly enough, I recently found out that my landlord personally poured a lot of his time into this park after the hurricane. That aside, I have always loved this park. From the first time my girlfriend and I stumbled upon a rather large rummage sale here we have been in love. They have done several movie nights here, have artsy public chess tables, sculpture and more. It's a really nice place to relax on a beautiful day, or attend an event for the good of the neighborhood.

Sadly, the woke politicians of New Orleans are changing the name of this park.