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Public Meeting
I attended the public meeting last night and was dumbfounded. The success of one's outreach program should be measured by how many responses a public announcement generates and not soley by the number of public announcements one generates.
Bill J Hicks
Let New Orleans be New Orleans
Contrary to the imaginings of bureaucrats, the only thing that really wows tourists is authenticity. All these ticky-tacky fakoid "attractions" are of interest to no one after 15 minutes - thus their inevitable failure to "revitalize" an area.
Vitality is reality; at present Audubon is "real."
Few come to N.O. to play golf. The Park has authentic, functioning local charm that no amount of "executive" golf
courses (an asinine term if there ever was one) or souped-up clubhouses could
surpass.
Chris Hightower
Audubon Park is an intrinsic part of the culture and beauty of New Orleans. Please don't sell out. We already have Disney world and Las Vegas. Please let New Orleans be the beautiful city that she is and that so many natives as well as tourists , love and expect.
Lois von der Goltz
So much has already been lost to tourism and supposed economic development. The City of New Orleans finally realized that change isn't always lucrative. How else to explain the comeback of the Canal Street streetcar line, or Mayor Morial's renewed fight against blight of historic properties?
To commemorate Louis Armstrong's 100th birthday, the Times-Picayune recently documented how few Armstrong landmarks
remain due to previous generations'
short-sightedness. It's now clear that residents and visitors alike are drawn by what cannot be found in many American cities: history, diversity and natural beauty.
Julia Kamysz Lane
Why do they insist on putting up all of this Dallas-type shmack?
Anonymous
Elected Officials read here...
An urban public park should be designed and maintained for the benefit of the people who live in the city where the park is located. It should not be used to generate revenues from out-of-town business people and convention goers at the expense of the local residents.
Mayor Morial should be aware that the destruction now in progress at Audubon Park could endanger or end his quest for a third term.
Jane B. Carter
This park deserves a fight to protect it, for our children and their children. I will vote accordingly, for those that protect it.
Donita Sather
If not properly controlled, the Audubon Institute will eventually take over the City. I have been against the increases in tax and millage to support Mr. Foreman's expensive zoo, fish tank, bug house etc. He and his corps need to go.
Henry M. Rogers, Jr.
The park is a public holding, the public opinion MUST be heard.
Lauren Eschbacher
Forman needs to open governance up to the community.
Robert Watkins
A lot of people don't know the extent to which the park will be changed. Let the city discuss the plans before construction starts.
John L Robert
This "operation" is typical New Orleans politics. The park is fine as is, charming a beautiful. So what that it's not perfect and polished; it's an old park. What make it look new? Plus, there are SO many other aspects of New Orleans that really need resources applied.
Michael DiMaggio
The Park needs to be renovated but the methods used are typical of the way some N.O. institutions do business. The words of the few outweigh the view of the many...many more people walk, jog, bicycle, picnic, or just relax at the park than play golf. It seems the elite few will have their way while the majority suffers.
Mike Ruiz
My wife and I walk in the park almost every day. We support the efforts to learn more about proposed "improvements" and what they mean to the health and beauty of the park. If this is funded by public money, the public needs a voice.
Jim Theis
One for you, Marc 'Education' Morial
Why are we spending 6 million dollars on a park golf course when there are people in New Orleans who can't read and write?
Carol Wood
So many Questions...
I would appreciate an opportunity as a 30-year resident and taxpayer of the City to be informed of the use of public land, especially a treasure such as Audubon Park. What's the next focus of the Audubon Institute---City Park??
Linda Rhodes
I heard about this in February (from a member of the Upper Audubon Association) and have been trying to get information ever since... with no luck. I only knew that the city of NO was contributing a big chunk (as if there were no other worthy causes) and that the main reason was because the golf course proved to be "unsafe".
How is the community involved in this? What research has been done to show that this renovation is necessary? How much extra income is this expected to generate for the city? How many joggers and dog walkers actually get hit by golf balls per year? What is the ratio of golfers to other recreational users? How many trees must exactly be removed and why? At the current rate ($8 for 18 holes) how long will it take for the city to break even? What has been done to promote City Park's many golf courses to improve attendance there? etc etc etc.
Adela Baker
Angry and disgusted about the whole business. Who told Ron Foreman he could
cut down trees in the park?
Barbara Lewis Claiborne
Why don't we just put the new Walmart in Audubon Park and have a drive into the gas tanks from Magazine Street?
Franke Watons,II
Why is it always public money that enriches these crooks?
Richard Snow
Surprised
I support the process of questioning the process by which Audubon Park is being changed without fully publishing the plan in various media before going ahead. Most people didn't know anyting about this until they saw the signs in the Park. That's ridiculous.
If you haven't been to Audubon Park in awhile, you won't know what the fuss is about. It's a well-hidden project (from the citizens of Orleans Parish).
Albert Bruce Crutcher III
I am outraged that I, a long-time resident of the park's periphery, was not queried regarding my opinion on the restructuring of Audubon's environment. I AM an "immediate neighbor" and I was NOT consulted, nor informed of this project! I have lived here, just one block from the park, not far from the bridge, for 7 years, and only a few blocks further prior to that, adding up to 15 years...
I was appalled that ALL residents of the area were not informed and consulted, as well as the larger population of those who seek regular recreation within the park's borders.
This project should be halted... immediately, until the full congress of the park's devoted visitors have had the opportunity to be heard.
Sheila A. Sullivan
I live right on the edge of the Park and am also a member of the Audubon Institute, but had no idea of what is going on until the controversy recently became public. This park is and should be for the citizens of New Orleans, and such a drastic project should not be undertaken without their input.
Helen L. Schneidau
I was shocked to read the letter to the editor from Michael Deas on 8-19-01 and learn that parts of the park are being destroyed to make room for the new golf course. Also dismayed to learn that trees are cut down for that purpose.
I use the park daily and had no idea of the scope of the so called improvements.
Ashley Harris
I had no idea until reading a
small piece in sunday
paper 8/18/01---I am sure
there are thousands of
others
Arthur Fort
Fatal attraction
Who gave away our green space to corporate america anyway? If I want to go to Disneyworld I can get in the car, thank you.
Alison W. Kampen
What is it with open space in this city? There's always someone who wants to fill it. New Orleans has given up a lot for tourism. We should be keeping what little is left for our residents. Use the $6 million for the benefit of local people: renovate the golf course if it needs it, but also repair and maintain *all* public spaces. Stop the destruction in Audubon Park!
Patricia A Sirois
ANI...pandering to the almighty tourist dollar.
Ravaging the remaining community based and oriented greenspaces...imagine herds of Texans in madras pants and bonbon hats earning Uncle Ron and his cronies another million with every golf stroke...the homogenizing of New Orleans...the exploitation of our old world class and charm...Ron Foreman used to sell cars..! The man makes almost 300,000 off of the Institute,what more does he want?
He and his organization have done some good things for New Orleans, but this effort is entirely capitalistic and misguided.
Georgia Morris
I support the effort to MAINTAIN, not change this beautiful park. The gain from attracting tourists is marginal at best. Quality of life issues would add more value in the long term than going for the quick buck.
Kenneth W. Hunter Jr.
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Prizes for Brevity
No taxation without representation.
Nichole Eichberger
ENOUGH!
Ellen Johnson
We think it is about time to stop Ron Forman.
Mr and Mrs Robert D. Cosgrove
Stop!
John Scharfenberg
Support for Forman Plan gathers
Eliminating a meditation walk and then building a parking lot--that's disgusting. The park should be for the people who use it
Rodger Kamenetz
I find it deplorable that the Audubon Institute would try to pull this one over on the people of new Orleans. The amount of space dedicated to Green space was already minimal. Absolutely ridiculous.
Tim Maier
We need to keep as much public land as possible for the public, not for golfers. We have two big park in this city and, as far as I can tell, they are both devote more land to golf than any other activity. People in this city need an urban escape, not more golf. According to the Times-Picayune, 33,000 rounds of golf were played last year and the Audubon Intitute reckons that 37, 000 rounds will be the norm in the future. Why should public land be devoted to fewer than 100 golfers per day when thousands of horseback riders, walkers, picnickers, runners, bikers, birdwatchers, and football, soccer, and volleyball players use the park every day of the year. We cannot ruin this precious commodity.
Wayne Wagner
The beauty of Audubon park is the open woodlands and open green spaces. Those areas shouldn't be destroyed for concrete pathways for golf carts. This is the power of the dollar at work here to destroy truly a historic and wonderful place in the best part of uptown
Todd Doise
I have played the Audubon Park course for years. Other than drainage, the course only needs some cosmetic changes & constant upkeep. Changing the course into a "tourist friendly", "money-maker" par three course is absurd.
John E McAuliffe, Jr.
I dont understand why so much of our park must go to those who enjoy a particular kind of sport (Golf). The lagoon bridge is one of the most beautiful sites in the park, why get rid of it??? I am outraged that my opinion means nothing to the keepers or audubon park!
Gary Tanner
I am dismayed by the lack of public input on this massive public project.
Echo Olander
The park is for the community. If a private organization wants to help they have to ask the people what they think the park needs most, and not what THEY think the park needs most.
Daniel Pate
In particular, I'm opposed to cutting down trees that can't be replaced and making more of the park off limits to the public.
Janna Saslaw
I would like the Hurst Street bridge and access through the park to remain open
Kitt Stumm
This latest abomination of the Audubon Institute takes things just a bit too far. That Park is for public access for All of us. One group should not receive preference...
Michael Kane
To City and Ron Foreman,
Please stop this harmful development of the park!!
Beth Lasky
Please halt this development.
Eddie L Robertson, III
Audubon Park belongs to the people. It's been around longer than Ron Forman has. We do not want to see him destroy it.
Ralph and Cathy Posey
I grew up a block away from Audubon Park. It would be devastating to see it altered in such a way.
William Bradley
I hope the people of New Orleans will rise up against this outrage. There is no replacing such a treasure. The idea that merely chipping away at a few trees and paths will not destroy the whole is false.
Bob Russell
A 3-par executive type golf course geared to tourists is NOT what Audubon Park needs, and no trees or green spaces should be sacrificed for it.
Beth Maniscalco
I think he has gone beyond being a guardian of a public park in taking away the amenities valuable to the people who use the park for pleasure and recreation. He is thinking in terms of income from the golf course and the bottom line.
Ann Leyens
They've already taken all of
the land for the Zoo, how
about leaving some that we can
enjoy
Coral Ellis
Audubon Park is not large enough for this new project. Please spend these funds on security, family areas and the fitness trails
Jerry Bourgeois
I am appalled at the manner in which this decision was made, as if public opinion did not matter one whit!!
Lindann W Maloney
It's about time people started seeing what a predatory monster AI is!
Judy Schwartzer
The park does not belong to golfers. There is no reason to cut down so many trees!
Anne McKinley
Shocking actions by the Audubon Institute!
Jennifer Kaltwasser
Shame on the Audubon Institue for their evasive maneuvers - they are a publicy funded entity and are accountable to US. All of us.
Meg Lousteau
I support your efforts to ensure that changes to Audubon Park be done with proper public input. Our parks are too special to be modified just to bring in tourist dollars. Keep up the good work.
Anne Marie Hesson
I am 16 years old and a former volunteer at Audubon Zoo. I have also been going to Audubon Park for most of my life. The plans to change the park deeply sadden me. I often went down Meditation Walk with my father, and explored the greenhouse area before it was closed to the public. I also remember taking shortcuts through the golf course and over the old bridge.
From letters in the Times Picayune, I've heard that all of these will be torn down or inaccessable. In addition, I worry the the park will become another tourist destination and no longer a place for locals.
Becky Hahn
The park is much to pretty to alter. It would take away from the many to benefit a few.
Not no, but hell no.
Joel Barnett
The public greenspace and paths and bridges need to be restored and left intact for the enjoyment of all. The Conservatory should be renovated and reopened to the public.
Bruce T. Myers
...I think it would be a sin to destroy some of the historical oaks, or any of the existing green space with parking lots, or a club house...I fully support the initiative to maintain the park without the destruction of viable, irrepaceable trees. (We should respect these trees which have been alive longer than we may hope to be.)
Holly S. Herrmann
Please preserve the park for the residents. Only make moderate improvements to the golf course to main its integerity and historical status.
J. David Frere
This expansion is absolutely unacceptable, and must be opposed until it is either shelved, or, after a full public debate, placed on the ballot for a vote by those most affected by the park and its ultimate fate.
Wendy King
I agree that we need to preserve the beauty of Audubon Park for the citizens of New Orleans, and its future citizens. Don't destroy this jewel!
Jeffrey A. Borchardt, M.D.
The Future of New Orleans is in the preservation of her past. Our city is unique...Each live oak and each piece of its history is a national treasure.
Kathryn Huff
And many more...!
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