I've been wondering about a street that runs through City Park starting at the Ralph's on the Park on Orleans Avenue. My great-great-grandmother from France had the maiden name of Anseman. Julie Duvic

Dear Julie,
Perhaps you are related to the man for whom Anseman Avenue is named, Victor J. Anseman, also known as "Father of City Park." Because his contribution to the park was so significant, he also has a bridge named for him.

Photo by Kandace Power Graves

This arched entrance to City Park, across the street from Ralph's On the Park restaurant, marks the beginning of Anseman Avenue. The street and a bridge just beyond are named in honor of Victor J. Anseman, who was instrumental in improving and expanding the park to its present grandeur.

Anseman was a local florist with a superior knowledge of horticulture. In 1891 he assembled a group of New Orleans residents -- business and political leaders -- to form the City Park Improvement Association. The association's charter and the city ordinance that confirmed it made the group responsible for making the park work. Anseman served as chairman of the executive committee until his death in 1903. It was through the efforts of this group that City Park began to grow and improve.

Anseman led the effort. He was the chairman of the committee that planned all of the improvements to the grounds, but he also worked on a volunteer basis as the superintendent. He knew about landscape design and spent the last years of his life dedicated to making City Park a park to be proud of.

You see, 1891 was the park's second beginning, a genuine rebirth. Its actual birth came in the 1850s, when John McDonogh purchased the plantation of Louis Allard Jr. at a sheriff's sale in 1845. Allard was allowed to live on the plantation, which he did until his death in 1847. McDonogh died three years later, and to the delight of the citizens of New Orleans and Baltimore, McDonogh's will stipulated that the Allard plantation as well as the majority of McDonogh's fortune -- about $2 million dollars -- would be divided between the two cities. A large portion was intended to establish public schools, but much of the Allard property became a public park in 1854 as pronounced by the Fourth District Court.

There were many attempts to make the park a place of resort, but none of them were entirely successful. Then came Victor Anseman, who had lived on Metairie Road as a child. He practically had to start from scratch to convert the land into a park fit for public recreation. The land was wild and overgrown in some areas and in others bare pasture, and the aged oaks needed care.

Fencing in the property also was a major concern. Cows from neighboring farms roamed freely, creating the expected nuisance. Along with the needed fence came landscaping and the construction of a few necessary structures such as a ladies' toilette building and a gents' closet. Benches and swings were added, and more trees were planted, especially sweet and sour orange trees and China umbrella trees.

In 1896, the City Park Improvement Association was granted at least $15,000 a year from the City of New Orleans, which allowed for physical expansion. At Anseman's insistence, and with the help of other influential men, the park extended its borders from Bayou St. John along today's City Park Avenue and Orleans Avenue in 1897. In addition, the association submitted plans for improvement which included an 18-acre lake, bridges, driving roads, walks and footpaths. Soon the park opened to the public for many activities.

In the 1850s, the park covered about 85 acres. By 1896, it had expanded to 213 acres. Today, it is a whopping 1,500 acres bounded by Bayou St. John, the old Orleans Canal, City Park Avenue, Robert E. Lee Boulevard and two areas of 16 acres extending to Lake Pontchartrain. It is one of the largest as well as one of the oldest parks in the country.

Having played such an important role in creating the park, Victor Anseman would have been proud of its expansion. He also would have been horrified by the devastation the park suffered as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Through the efforts of many employees, volunteers and generous contributors, the park is on its way back. If you want information or would like to help, a good place to start is the Web site www.neworleanscitypark.com/katrinaupdate.html.