Department of Public Works’ construction contractors are currently at Lincoln Beach removing debris, clearing overgrown landscaping and repairing structures deemed to be in imminent danger of collapse as determined by licensed engineers.

This work is being done as part of a larger site assessment that began in May 2020 and is scheduled to be completed and available for review in the spring of 2021.

Lincoln Beach is currently closed to the public, in part due to the presence of alligators, venomous snakes and poisonous flora. Gathering at the beach is prohibited at this time.

The following surveys and assessments are ongoing:

• Topographic, Bathymetric, and Magnetometer Survey (90 percent complete) – Survey of the shoreline demonstrating average water depths and the location of underwater debris that may present a challenge to converting the space to recreational use.
   
• Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and Habitat Assessment (5 percent complete) - A simple habitat assessment of the beach area to determine plant species that are present on-site, and to characterize habitat types and percent cover; identify potentially poisonous flora, such as poisons oak or ivy, which pose a risk to staff or volunteers performing clean-up activities; identify invasive species and percent cover; and provide an estimate to facilitate removal of such invasive species. 
• Facility Asset Assessment (5 percent complete) – Update the site inventory and assess the conditions of the parking lot structures, shelters, tunnels, swimming pool, concrete pads, and other historic structures.
   
• Facility Access Assessment (5 percent complete) – Evaluate current pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular, and public transit access possibilities and limitations. Potential future access points that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act will be identified, as well as opportunities and challenges for implementing future access points for pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular, and public transit.
   
• Utility Assessment (5 percent complete) - Conduct a utility assessment of existing drainage, sewage, potable water, gas, and electrical systems.
  
• Comprehensive Site Assessment (5 percent complete) – Includes conceptual level engineering evaluation and drawings indicating potential areas of future development of the site, suitability of the existing beach for recreational use, suitability of the existing waterfront structures and nearshore areas for recreational boating access, potential areas of ingress/egress, list of potential permits required for development of the site, and areas unsuitable for development due to the presence of wetlands or other environmental concerns.     

When the Site Assessment is complete, the City will provide residents with opportunities to review the draft study and offer feedback on how or if the recommendations in the study should be implemented.

The City is also working with the Preservation Resource Center to collect oral and photographic histories about Lincoln Beach, which may become part of a future on-site history display. To submit your memories, send a message to Susan Langenhennig at susanl@prcno.org.

The City has received inquiries about accessing Lincoln Beach. It is not currently safe to access the site. Residents found to have trespassed onto the site are may be subject to trespassing citations of up to $500.

To sign up for regular status updates visit nola.gov/lincolnbeach.