Retrospect Park

New Orleans is one of the top cities for deforestation in the United States.  This issue is partially because of hurricane Katrina and other storms, but mostly due to urban development.  This sculptural design in Retrospect Park is an abstract representation of deforestation.  As a tree memorial, the columns represent all the trees lost through storms, deforestation, and bring awareness to this issue.  The water being represented by steel has a double meaning.  It represents water in reference to storms, and also metal in reference to urban development; both are responsible for deforestation.

The trees are the most important part of this project.  In an area with little to no trees, they will improve air quality, provide shade for the park’s occupants, and homes to small animals.  When Retrospect Park is contracted to be built, the contract would contain an ironclad requirement.  One hundred and eight trees must be planted around the central design, one tree for every dozen people that died in hurricane Katrina.  Because the trees are living memorials, and the sculptural design will create a desirable and much need refuge for the citizens of New Orleans, Retrospect Park will be the best chance to protect that land from future development.

In the industrial area just south of the highway 90 bridge and west of the river, trees are few and far between.  Across from the Julia Street Cruse Terminal and south of Henderson Street is an empty 2.75-acre lot with no vegetation.  It is logical that a city would eventually build in the middle of an already developed industrial area, but what if they changed their strategy to benefit all citizens?  Imagine the city of New Orleans prohibiting development of this land for commercial purposes.