New Orleans Fired Parks and Parkways Director

The city dismissed director Michael Karam following public criticism regarding maintenance and service delays.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized wrought-iron park gate amidst tropical foliage, representing city management and infrastructure oversight. — The City of New Orleans has terminated Parks and Parkways director Michael Karam, citing persistent service delays and maintenance failures across municipal grounds. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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New Orleans has terminated the director of the Department of Parks and Parkways, Michael Karam, in an effort to enhance accountability and service quality. Sharon Franklin Brown has been appointed to lead the department on an interim basis during the search for a permanent successor.

Why it matters

The leadership change follows intense scrutiny from local officials regarding the department's ability to manage maintenance, debris cleanup, and resident responsiveness. The city aims to address these operational failures after facing a period of hiring freezes and budget cuts for contractors.

Michael Karam served as the head of the department since 2020 and previously spent 6 years in Code Enforcement. The department recently faced restrictive measures including a hiring freeze and reduced funding for external contractors.

The players

Michael Karam

He served as the head of the Department of Parks and Parkways in New Orleans starting in 2020.

Sharon Franklin Brown

She was appointed to serve as the interim director of the Department of Parks and Parkways.

Jason Hughes

He is a City Councilman who voiced concerns regarding the maintenance and service delivery of the department.

Ann Macdonald

She is returning to work at the department on a part-time basis following the leadership change.

Catherine Wheeler

She was named the new Secretary of Parks and Parkways for the city of New Orleans.

The details

Councilman Jason Hughes specifically criticized the department for poor maintenance levels and a lack of responsiveness to service requests, citing conditions like those found on Benson Street. To support the transition, Ann Macdonald will return to the department in a part-time role, and Catherine Wheeler has been appointed as the new Secretary of Parks and Parkways.

Michael Karam was hired as the department head in 2020.
Councilman Jason Hughes criticized department services on September 22, 2026.
Michael Karam was officially fired on September 23, 2026.

Market Landscape

The leadership change reflects a broader push for efficiency in city governance following recent operational constraints. This move signals a shift in how New Orleans intends to manage municipal services amidst ongoing scrutiny from the City Council.

Residents may see changes in how maintenance complaints and debris removal requests are prioritized in their neighborhoods. The department is working to stabilize operations following the management shift and recent budget limitations.

The takeaway

The city is prioritizing a turnaround in public service delivery through a complete overhaul of department leadership. Residents should continue to report maintenance issues as the new interim administration settles into the role.