Purpose:
Audubon Nature Institute is a non-profit organization which manages public spaces on behalf of the Audubon Commission, which is an independent public agency whose members are appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans. The following rules and policies are in place to allow all visitors to safely enjoy Audubon Park and Audubon Riverview Park. “The Park” will refer to both parks unless otherwise specified. These rules and policies are in place for all spaces from the Mississippi River to St. Charles Avenue and bordered by Exposition Boulevard and Walnut Street. All public spaces are subject to the New Orleans City Ordinances and are enforceable by the New Orleans Police Department. City Code Section 106 -105 authorizes Audubon Park Commission to control and manage the park. Section 106.1 authorizes Audubon Park Commission to administer, operate, maintain, and post the hours of operation for the park.
General Information:
1. Audubon Park and Audubon Riverview Park are open daily 5am – 10pm.
2. In case of an emergency call 911.
a. Audubon Security can be reached 24 hours at (504) 628-3988 via phone or by activating one of the eight Emergency Call Boxes located throughout the parks. b. Audubon Zoo First Responders are available during Zoo open hours (10:00am – 5:00pm) and can be reached at (504) 235-5412.
3. Parking is available in Audubon Zoo’s parking lot, in the Magazine Street parking lot, and on the streets adjacent to the park.
a. Clubhouse parking is reserved for guests visiting Audubon Park Clubhouse and/or Audubon Park Golf Course.
4. Restrooms are available to the general public at Pavilion 10, Pavilion 11, Pavilion 12, at the upriver end of the Riverview, and at the playground on the Riverview.
Rules and Policies:
1. Animals must always be securely leashed and remain in possession by the owner while in the park. (City Ordinance Chapter 18 Article I Section 18-14)
2. Amplified music or speaking is only allowed at Newman Bandstand. Music with profanity will not be tolerated. Amplification at Newman Bandstand may only be used between 10am - 8pm and must be kept under 80 decibels. (City Ordinance Chapter 66 Article IV Section 66-203)
3. Inflatables and bounce houses require an event permit (see below). Inflatables and bounce houses must be weighted, not staked, they must provide their own generator power source, the vendor must provide proof of insurance, and water slides are prohibited.
4. Commercial activity is permitted only with written authorization by Audubon Nature Institute. For commercial photography or filming requests visit: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/filming-request-form. Professional, paid photography is permitted with a vendor permit. For more information visit: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/vendors
5. Drone use is permitted at Audubon Riverview Park only. Drones are not permitted to fly over Audubon Zoo or Audubon Park. Drone operators must follow FAA regulations including registering the aircraft and possessing a valid license.
6. Use of metal detectors is permitted while avoiding trees, garden beds and irrigation lines.
a. Digging should be kept to under 6” and park space should be left in the condition it was found in. b. All federal and state antiquity laws must be obeyed. c. If an item of possible historic or cultural significance is found, leave the item where you found it. Please contact park staff. Historic or culturally significant items are the property of Audubon and will be used to help interpret the park and our history. d. Probing and digging for items is limited to the use of an ice pick, screwdriver or small knife. The use of lager digging tools is prohibited. e. All turf, dirt, etc. must be left in the original condition after digging.
7. Charcoals must be completely extinguished and cooled before disposing in trash receptacles.
8. Boiling water cannot be dumped on grass or in trash receptacles.
9. Please only feed ducks lettuce, oats, or seeds. Bread is low in protein in can cause health issues for birds.
10. Horses may be ridden in Audubon Park. Horses must stay on the multiuse bridal path and horse manure must be pick up and removed. (City Ordinance Chapter 154 Article I Section 154-8)
11. Use of slacklines (including hammocks) on trees is permitted at a tree with a diameter of at least 12”. Tree protecting (e.g. felt or cardboard) under a tree sling is encouraged. Audubon reserves the right to prohibit slackline use on specific trees including historically significant trees. Slack lines cannot block access to amenities or pathways.
12. Electric scooters, bikes, skateboards, hoverboards, and one wheels are permitted but must follow the posted bicycle speed limit of 10 MPH and must follow the directional flow in the bike lane. (City Ordinance Chapter 106 Article I Section 106-2) Children under 12 years of age must wear a helmet.
13. Stakes less than 10” long may be used in areas of the Park free of trees and gardens.
14. Use of sustainable and safe beverage containers (e.g. aluminum cans) is strongly encouraged. Breaking glass bottles is prohibited.
15. Smoking and vaping is allowed in the Park except in recreation areas such as playgrounds, sport fields, and bleachers. (City Ordinance Chapter 66 Article II Section 66-72)
16. Informal sport activities are allowed in the Park with some exceptions. Golf is only allowed at the Golf Course in Audubon Park. Disc golf is allowed only when using putter discs. Archery is prohibited.
17. Chalk may be used in the Park with some exceptions. Chalk art or writing may not contain political messages, promotions, or profanities. Chalk art or writing is prohibited on memorials or sponsored areas of the Park including but not limited to the Gumble Fountain, Cecile’s Crepe Myrtle Grove, Newman Bandstand, and the WWI Roll of Honor. Chalk art should only be used on hard surfaces and should not be used on trees, plants, or grass.
18. For use of the formal recreation fields at Audubon Riverview Park, please contact Carrollton Boosters Club: https://www.carrolltonboosters.org/
19. Food trucks are only allowed on public streets and while following proper permitting. Food trucks soliciting from the public must hold both a Food Truck Permit and a Franchise Permit to operate on the public streets adjacent to Audubon Park. Food trucks are not permitting in Audubon Riverview Park. Private catering is allowed following Audubon Special Event permitting requirements. (City Ordinance Chapter 110 Article II Division 5).
20. Commercial helicopters are not allowed to land or fly low over the Park.
Prohibited Items and Activities:
1. Parking or driving on the grass, paved or unpaved jogging or bike paths.
2. Water slides, dunking booths, water balloons, and swimming pools.
3. Kayaking, canoeing, sport boating, fishing, swimming in the lagoons, ponds or bodies of water in Audubon Park. Fishing is only allowed in the Mississippi River from Audubon Riverview Park.
4. Feeding feral cats is prohibited. Establishing or supporting TNR feral colonies in the Park is prohibited. To report abandoned pets or injured wildlife contact Audubon Security.
5. Petting zoos including hand-led pony rides, live carousels, or animals as props are prohibited.
6. Carnival rides such as carousels, trains, and miniature Ferris wheels.
7. Fireworks and sparklers.
8. Candles/open flames, sky lanterns, and bonfires.
9. Balloons, balloon arches, helium filled balloons, balloon animals, balloon decorations, and water balloons.
10. Flowers (real or artificial), confetti, and glitter may not be thrown.
11. Soliciting money, contributions or donations; distributing advertising or promotional material of any kind; and/or offering samples of items.
Events and Gatherings:
1. There is a $75 permit fee for any gathering in Audubon Park or the Riverview for parties of 25 or more or if there is any form of structure to be set up (i.e. chairs, tables, arch, 10 x 10 tents, inflatable/bounce house, seafood boil, etc).
2. For more information about event rentals or to request an event permit: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/permits-pavilions
