Helping rebuild one of New Orleans' favorite places

(New York- WABC, February 23, 2006) (WABC) -- New Orleans City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, was virtually destroyed by Katrina. It's now trying to rebuild, with help from our own Central Park.

Lee Goldberg has more in his continuing series Be Part of Your Park.

Central Park is reaching out to a fellow park in need. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, one of the hardest hit areas was also one of the city's most popular: New Orleans City Park.

Pictures tell the story: its 1300 acres ravaged, grass and flowers killed by a flood of saltwater, over a thousand trees toppled and every piece of equipment destroyed.

With no money for repairs coming in, its very future was in doubt.

Doug Blonsky, Pres., Central Park Conservancy: "City Park is funded by concessions from within, so whey they lost the park, they lost the income."

Doug Blonsky, from the Central Park Conservancy, heard the park's cries for help.

Doug Blonsky, Pres., Central Park Conservancy: "We knew we had to be there right from the beginning."

Immediately the conservancy donated chainsaws to clear downed trees. The conservancy also purchased a live oak, it's in the same family as the red oaks in Central Park, a symbolic gesture to help the New Orleans City Park grow again.

Even more help is on the way.

The Women's Committee of the Central Park Conservancy is hosting a fund raiser next Tuesday, Mardi Gras. Preparations are already underway for the carnival-themed event.

The money couldn't come at a better time. City Park says it only has funds now to stay open until June, but Central Park has opened its hearts and its wallets to help New Orleans City Park grow green again.

To donate to the rebuilding of New Orleans City Park, visit www.neworleanscitypark.com