Audubon Park in New Orleans

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Audubon Park is a city park located in New Orleans. The park is approximately six miles to the west of the city center of New Orleans and sits on land that was purchased by the city in 1871. The park became active after the World Cotton Centennial of 1884 was held on the land. It is bordered on one side by the Mississippi River and on another by the Tulane and Loyola Universities. The park is named in honor of artist and naturalist John James Audubon who lived in New Orleans starting in 1821.

Prior to the purchase by the city of New Orleans the area had been used by the Confederate and Union armies in the United States Civil War and as a staging area for the Buffalo Soldiers.

Early in the 20th century part of the park became home to the Merz Memorial Zoo which is now known as the Audubon Zoo.

The Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas, the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species in New Orleans survived Hurricane Katrina relatively unscathed. However, many of the animals in the aquarium died in the ensuing week after the facility was temporarily abandoned due to flooding and power loss.