In Fall 2014, Parkview Neighborhood Association surveyed residents’ preferences for neighborhood improvement projects. 63% of respondents suggested funds be invested in general maintenance such as “picking up trash in and around the water,” and 42% of respondents suggested other clean-up efforts such as increasing the number of trash cans. Based on the survey results, Parkview Neighborhood Association’s final recommendations included “general upgrades and maintenance to the bayou, including but not limited to more trash cans [and] a more regular trash pickup.”

In 2015, Friends of Bayou St. John’s Board of Directors voted to respond to this community need by investing in a new anti-litter campaign. FOBSJ kicked off the program in the fall of 2015 by sponsoring Bigbelly solar-powered recycling units on the Lafitte Greenway, a project that was led by Friends of Lafitte Greenway with support from Keep Louisiana Beautiful.

In December 2015, FOBSJ sent a proposal to the New Orleans Department of Sanitation requesting permission to donate wrought-iron trash cans for the bayou and asking the City to service the receptacles. In 2020/2021 the city did finally add an additional five trash cans. We will continue to put pressure on the City to respond with the requested cooperative endeavor agreement necessary to further this project and to advance clean-up and anti-littering efforts on the Bayou.

We are extremely grateful for our current and former partnerships that have facilitated monthly year-round bank and bayou clean-ups as well as daily during the annual Bayou Boogaloo. These partners include Kayak-iti-yat, Waterway Eco Team, Nola Trash Mob and Friends of Lafitte Greenway. To learn more about the regular monthly clean-ups and get involved, click HERE.

As a part of our on-going anti-litter efforts, we are currently engaged in the Yes We Can Can Nola campaign; we are seeking talented local artists to create signage for a new litter abatement campaign. Winning designs will be featured on signs in select spots along Bayou St. John. Click HERE for more info.