In answer to this, Audubon Institute spokespeople have declared on television, in the press and at the public meeting, that public meetings were held and that many articles concerning the new golf course and the plan in general were indeed printed. In short, they argue that the public was informed, was asked to participate, and that for some strange reason have only now shown any interest.

We think that the facts utterly refute this line of argument. The following is a list of press announcements and articles that the Institute has put together.

On the whole, our point is that press coverage announcing their only public meeting was deliberately inadequate, and the press stories about the plan covered only the undoubted improvements to the course itself and never discussed the implications of the plan for the wider public and for its access to the park.

1. Meetings for the General Public

05/24/1999 - A.N.I Public Meeting
A genuine call for public input, or a tactical effort to minimize it?

03/01/2001 - City Planning Commission Masterplan/Recreation Meeting
A city-wide discussion of parks and recreation issues. Not specifically about Audubon Park, and certainly not specifically about the current renovations.

2. Meetings with Neighborhood Groups
05/18/1999 - Uptown Neighborhood Improvement, Inc.
Preliminary Plans were shown for the $2.2 million renovation; the group had some concerns and were told that the Institute "would get back to them", but no follow-up ever occurred.
06/02/1999 - Upper Audubon Association
05/02/2001 - Upper Audubon Association

3. Meetings with the Audubon Golf Club
June 10, 1999; February 23, 2000; April 27, 2000; January 22, 2001; May 7, 2001
Many discussions about golfing issues, and even some concessions from Audubon Institute. But concessions only on issues of routing of the course and maintenance of at least 62-par.

4. Meetings of the Audubon Commission
April 28, 1999; July 21, 1999; October 27, 1999; April 19, 2000; October 25, 2000; January 24, 2001; April 5, 2001.
Audubon Commission meetings are technically 'public', but the public is not allowed to speak

5. Media Coverage
The Audubon Institute points to fourteen stories in local media between 05/07/1999 and 07/31/2001.
Most focus on golf course issues, some are hostile, and only one discusses the wider impact of the course on public use of the park - and that on July 25th, mere days before construction commenced!
Full media list and examples available here