Community shocked by closure of Pontchartrain sand beach

By Mary LaCoste
Contributing Writer

The announcement by the University of New Orleans, following two tragic drownings, that it has closed all public access to the mile-long sand beach behind its buildings at the end of Elysian Fields Avenue has resulted in many reactions. They range from, “There is a beach there!” to “How does UNO have control of the lake- front?” The answers may be found in the complex history of the south shore of Lake Ponchartrain and how it was developed.

The lakeshore was extended by the New Orleans Levee Board in the 1920s and 1930s with mud pumped from further out in Lake Ponchartrain. Cement sea walls and levees were built adding six blocks of new land from the Jefferson Parish border to the old airport. The old shore was approximately where Robert E. Lee Blvd. is today.

In the 1930s, a lease was granted for an amusement park and sand beach (built with the help of WPA workers) at the end of Elysian Fields. Ponchartrain Beach Amusement Park opened there as a segregated facility in 1940. Integrated in the 1960s, it closed in 1984.

Lincoln Beach, far west of the reclaimed land but under the control of the Orleans Parish Levee Board, was developed in the late 1940s and closed in 1964.

Right to use of the site of the old Ponchartrain Beach amusement park was assigned to UNO. The university agreed to keep the long stretch of beach for public use and provide basic maintenance of the sand beach and the projecting jetties. Later, the remainder of the land was used to build high-rise buildings and parking lots that are off limits to the public. The tall buildings all but hid the sand beach. Minimal public access was provided by two small gates, the beach now used by a few members of the public for fishing, swimming and walking dogs.

By the 1960s, the lake was considered too polluted for swimming. Measures were taken to clean up the lake. The Lake Ponchartrain Basin Foundation is an organization that has helped clean up the lake. Their website states:

“SAFE SWIMMING IN THE BASIN Swimming Advisory The First “no swimming” sign and advisories were posted in July 1962 along the New Orleans Lakefront due to pollution from sewage. By the late 1980s the advisories included the entire south shore and also covered the rivers on the north shore. Currently there is still an advisory (not a ban) on swimming along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Sampling indicates that water quality conditions have greatly improved in the intervening decades since the advisories were introduced. Today south shore water quality is almost always suitable for swimming. Water quality is directly relates to rainfall and associated runoff and discharges. If heavy rains occur, we recommend staying out of the water for two to three days.

With Lake Pontchartrain’s water quality so greatly improved ,everyone is encouraged to enjoy our Lake in all of its recreational forms. One of the best ways to do this is to go swimming. Yes, you can swim in the lake again! Water quality is good. Before you go, be sure to check out our website for the most recent water quality information. Also remember that rainwater can carry unhealthy bacteria from the land into the lake. A safe rule of thumb is not to swim if it has rained in the last three days.

Two sites along the lakeshore have the best access for swimming: Pontchartrain Beach on the south shore and Fontainebleau State Park on the north shore.”

Two recent tragic drowning have brought attention to the old beach area. Bilder Lopez, 17, drowned April 7 and Shone Badon, 17, drowned May 14, both in waters next to land UNO maintains by terms of their lease. UNO has suddenly announced that it will close the entire area until proper supervision can be provided. Rumored are plans for a fence at the water line.

While public safety is of great concern, other more suitable measures have been discussed. All agree that New Orleanians need safe swimming and beach areas. (See Louisiana Weekly article of November 14, 2011.) How can this be accomplished? Some suggest that a roped-off safe swimming area at the UNO beach could be built. Others talk about reopening and safely maintaining Lincoln Beach and/or improving the Seabrook area.

This article was originally published in the May 21, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper