Metairie Sanctuary on the Lake (MSL) was a group of community members that formed in 2013 to try and protect an 8.1 acre piece of natural land from being sold off for development by the Archdiocese. When community support and MSL and it’s partners did not raise enough money to purchase it, this land was then purchased and saved in its natural state by Sanctuary Preservation LLC in 2014. The parish
has cited the land for “unhealthful vegetation” and wants it stripped of shrubs which help absorb flood waters. The promise of Sanctuary Preservation LLC (and MSL and company prior) is to keep this property undeveloped, green and natural which has been held true so far. The property, if modified, by having its shrubbery cut will lead to flood water and wildlife which the preserve now holds being sent into the surrounding communities. This is why we need your support to save this property as unadulterated land as it’s been for nearly 70 years! We ask that you join us for a *Tentative* Hearing set for January 24th. 2023 at 1:30 PM at the Yenni Building. More information to come, so stay tuned here . For more information about the property, please continue to read the history below:
Metairie Sanctuary on the Lake (MSL) was founded in October 2013 by a group of concerned community members as a grassroots effort. Aiming to address the impending resale and development of 8.1 acres of green space on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, MSL’s mission statement was for the local community to keep this last piece of natural land as undeveloped and green in perpetuity and enjoy its natural God-given beauty for generations to come as a community legacy. This land held a lot of flood water and prevented soil subsidence and sinking. It made a home for over 300 birds and other small animals like raccoons and frogs. If MSL’s efforts had been successful, the public could have had access to the land to enjoy as an undeveloped waterfront nature preserve/park with raised wood walking paths (like Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve) right on Lake Pontchartrain, which is currently not present in Jefferson Parish. The public preserve would have easily integrated into the existing linear park complex. More importantly, it would have acted as an innate reservoir incorporating natural elements and processes into the operation of an integrated living water system preventing flooding and ground subsidence within disciplines of the New Orleans Urban Water Plan. This could have established the reputation of Greater New Orleans and Jefferson parish as a driver of innovation for climate-adaptive planning, design, and technology. The parish was approached by MSL for funds grant and aide but could offer little. In December 2013, the MSL group incorporated itself as a state non-profit and teamed up with the Land Trust for Louisiana (LTFL), a 501(c)(3) organization. They got a lot of local attention and local political support and activist group (Sierra club and New Orleans Audubon Society, GNO foundation) support as well. At that time the Archdiocese had plans to sell the 8.1 acre natural land parcel off for probable development into a subdivision. The parcel is located at 4905 St Mary Street adjacent to the nearly 12 acre parcel at 5500 St. Mary Street (The Archdiocese Retreat Center). All this land is part of what was formerly known as The Cenacle Retreat a 19 and a half acre property , which was owned and operated for 55 years by practicing nuns (The order of the Cenacle sisters) in the local Metairie area. During their time at the Cenacle, the nuns formed a legacy of appreciation for the land. In one 1957 ad from the Times Picayune they expressed this sentiment, saying that they “earnestly hope that the parks of Jefferson Parish will become a reality." Because of the dwindling number of retreatants and Cenacle sisters to maintain the property, it was purchased in its entirety by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Then it was divided into 2 parcels and the archdiocese ran a retreat center and sold the other 8.1 acres ultimately to Sanctuary Preservation LLC. We, MSL, need community support now once again in 2023 to help our partners Sanctuary Preservation to ultimately save this beautiful natural green property in its UNADULTERATED STATE in order to hold back flood water and prevent sinking and give birds and other tiny wild creatures a home in perpetuity. This is a special and natural place and I hope you can lend your support to them now in preserving it!
