To begin preparing a new master plan for the park, the Audubon Commission and Audubon Nature Institute held a hearing last month to get the public's views on what issues and activities the plan should address.

Park officials are still seeking comments and suggestions, which the public is asked to submit by Feb. 15, though they will be accepted after that date.

Comments may be e-mailed to parkmasterplan@auduboninstitute.org or mailed to:

President, Audubon Commission,
P.O. Box 4327,
New Orleans,
LA 70178.

The master plan, which will cover the parts of Audubon Park outside the zoo, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

It is not expected to recommend radical changes in the appearance or use of the park. According to the Audubon Nature Institute's Web site, the focus will be on "enhancements and improvements in the quality and consistency of the existing facilities and uses within Audubon Park."

The nonprofit institute operates the park, the zoo, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and other parks and facilities for the Audubon Commission, a city agency.

Among the issues the plan is expected to consider are infrastructure, athletic facilities, vehicular and pedestrian movement, safety and security, tree planting and maintenance, environmental policies and signs.

One of the surprises of the public hearing was the large number of speakers who urged that the plan call for creating a permanent labyrinth in Audubon Park. A temporary labyrinth opened in 2001, but park officials have not decided whether to make such an attraction permanent.

Advocates, including several women who said they are certified labyrinth facilitators, said walking a labyrinth can help people meditate, "access inner peace" and find "healing of soul and spirit."

Other speakers had more down-to-earth concerns. Several said dog walkers who use the park need to be encouraged to clean up after their animals, such as by making plastic bags available at more sites.

Other speakers suggested better lighting for heavily used parts of the park, such as the jogging path.

A few speakers complained that Audubon officials decided to seek public input only after rebuilding the park's golf course and making sure construction of the controversial new golf clubhouse was well under way.

Jim Segreto, treasurer of the Save Audubon Park organization, said that if the master plan had been done before decisions were made on the golf course, "the result would have been significantly different."

Others praised the rebuilt course, calling it the best in the city, though one man said he preferred the old course. He said the new layout "is a course for tourists," not locals.

Several speakers said it is too hard to reach Audubon officials, especially security personnel, by phone and suggested having phones answered by people, not an automated system.

Others urged a clearer demarcation between the park's horse-riding path and jogging path to provide better footing for both horses and people.

Some speakers said more foliage is needed to help shield walkers and joggers from flying golf balls, and one suggested erecting "no golf balls beyond this point" signs.

Several called for preserving all the park's remaining green space and increasing it wherever possible.

One speaker suggested creating a monument in the park to the Buffalo Soldiers, the 19th century African-American regiments in the U.S. Army that received their nickname from American Indians. One of the units was formed in New Orleans in 1866 and trained in the area that later became Audubon Park.

In a few months, when Audubon's staff and consultants have finished 50 percent to 70 percent of their work on the master plan, they will hold a second public meeting to let the public comment on the work done so far.

When the plan is about 95 percent complete, a third meeting will give the public a final chance to comment, after which the plan will be presented to the Audubon Commission for adoption.