Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune gushes over the slated-development and its 7,300-yard Rees Jones-designed course. Boasting "a new clubhouse, driving range and practice facility," project-designers hope it will attract the attention of the Zurich Classic. But not everyone is happy about the plans: a Change.org petition has already attracted almost 1,200 signatories hoping to shut down the project.

The sixth-largest park in the US, City Park was unique among the country's great public parks in that it was largely self-supported. The park hosted three 18-hole golf courses in addition to an amusement park, botanical gardens, several sports stadiums and the New Orleans Museum of Art. But when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, many of the facilities were destroyed. In the wake of the storm, the park quickly became overgrown.

For some, the post-Katrina park is an improvement on its older, privatized existence. According to the petition, this "naturally reclaimed urban oasis" has "been creatively used by everyday New Orleanians, young and old." The petition points out that City Park has become a refuge for many plants and animals, a diverse urban ecosystem. And golf courses are well-known to be highly-wasteful and environmentally degrading. The petition also notes the democratic value of the current state of the park and bemoan the threat of privatization. It's authors ask: "What is more important, the PGA or a beautiful, highly utilized space for everyday New Orleanians?"

For more information, check out the petition here and the development plans here.