NEW ORLEANS - The past several months have been tough for City Park officials. They have to raise most of the operational costs themselves, however, a freezing and wet winter resulted in a big loss financially.
Whether you're playing catch, walking, or climbing a tree, City Park has something for everyone.
"I got with my friends and we like to eat and we'll play putt putt over there and in the big fields, take pictures," said Ella Stolberg.
"It's a beautiful place," said Connie Lee. "A good place for kids and a lot of activities for them."
For the most part, people can enjoy the park for free.
"It provides just so much," said Vicki Muller.
Running it though, costs a lot of money, almost $21 million, and currently park officials are seeing red.
"We're in a deficit situation right now," said Robert Becker, the Chief Executive Officer for City Park. "We only get 10 percent of our money from a tax source and that's from people pulling a lever at the fair grounds."
Becker says they must raise the other 90 percent which is where activities like "Celebration in the Oaks" comes in.
"That event accounts for 15 percent of all money for the whole year comes in those 30 days," he said.
However, officials took a hit when weather shut down last year's event for ten days.
"Basically, we've had dreadful weather since July," he said. "It's cut into our revenue and it's presented a problem."
They're now about $500,000 below budget. As they dip into reserves to try and make it up, Becker says they'll eventually have to do more.
"We will need a tax or some other kind of support to raise the level of public support to give us a level of stability we don't enjoy," he said.
It's something people are mixed about.
"I know there are fairly well-off people here who may not be affected," Muller said. "But I also know some would be taking a hit."
"I would pay for the tax," said Stolberg's mother. "I love the park, I think it's part of what New Orleans is. You won't see one like this anywhere."
And with about three months to go before the end of the fiscal year, officials hope for good weather which could help bring some relief to this situation."