City of Slidell donates Walnut Park to nonprofit

The Slidell City Council has unanimously agreed to allow the mayor to sign a cooperative agreement that would donate six lots that make up Walnut Park in the Village North subdivision to the nonprofit organization, the Greater North Shore Foundation.

The foundation, run by the Rev. Robert J. Taylor of the Greater North Shore Full Gospel Baptist Church, asked the city for the donation to improve the economically-challenged area.

Yolanda Chapman, the foundation’s spokesperson, told the council of the foundation’s plans for the area.

“Our desire is to go into the Walnut area and offer outreach services. We will give out food and clothes and mentor the children in the area,” Chapman said.

Walnut Park on Beechwood Street in northwest Slidell is part of The Village, a large low-income apartment complex.

Chapman said the Greater North Shore Foundation wants to make a difference in a neighborhood plagued with crime and poverty.

“We want to mentor the youth, give them positive activities and change lives,” Chapman said.

In the agreement between the foundation and the city, all the playground equipment, benches and tables will go to the foundation. The lease states the foundation must use the area, “solely as a park and recreational facility open to the public.” If the area is not used as a park for a period of 30 days, the city can take back the land.

In a total opposite action, the council also agreed to accept a donation of land from the Brentwood subdivision for a right-of-way so the city can make drainage improvements.