• Public input into a "Master Plan" for Audubon Park...
• New Information on the Clubhouse...
• BZA Appeal Lawsuit...

AUDUBON PARK MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT

The first meeting to gather public input on the long-overdue Master Plan for Audubon Park was held on January 13, 2003. Although ostensibly hosted by the Audubon Commission, the Audubon Nature Institute Board members at the table outnumbered the actual Audubon Commission members that were present (again).

There was an excellent turnout by the public, and thirty-three people offered comments and suggestions on a wide range of park issues. Six people spoke in support of increased greenspace and tree maintenance. Six people from "Friends of the Labyrinth" spoke in support of developing a public labyrinth in the park (it should be noted that the Audubon Institute had already agreed to give them the land back in July 2001, in exchange for $350,000 in construction funds and maintenance endowment to be raised by December 31, 2001, but they have apparently only raised $130,000). Four people spoke against the increasing privatization of public parkland as evidenced by the new golf course trespassing policies and denial of public access to the athletic fields on the batture. Four people spoke in favor of establishing a pooper-scooper policy in the park. Three people spoke on the need for more security, and three on the need for more lighting. Three people came to praise the new golf course. Three people spoke in support of horsebackriding in the park, one spoke against it. Two people each complained about the neglect of the restrooms, neglect of park infrastructure, property encroachments along Walnut Street, and inability to reach the ANI via phone. One person each spoke on the following issues: a memorial to the Buffalo Soldiers; the dinosaur exhibit in the zoo; handicapped access; traffic on Magazine Street; golf course chemicals; stray golf balls; lack of respect for public opinion; limiting use of new clubhouse; new lagoon footbridge to access oak grove; closing East Drive to car traffic; and support for privatizing the athletic fields.

However, most of these concerns were downplayed at the subsequent Audubon Commission meeting on January 22. Commission President Willard Dumas commented on the public meeting that the public's main emphasis was on increasing lighting for the jogging track and increasing doggy bag stations; Commission member Ruth McCusker stated that "60% of the people spoke about the problem of dog and horse droppings" and the "only more frequent topic was the labyrinth".

Clearly, as experience and the above anecdotal evidence has shown, those who don't march lockstep with the AC/ANI need to make a LOT of noise in order to be heard! The "vision" that the AC/ANI has for Audubon Park is well known. If you share their vision, fine. But if the development of a Master Plan for Audubon Park is to reflect a wide range of public perspectives and priorities and not be dominated by the narrow vision and financial imperatives of the Audubon Institute itself, alternate opinions need to be voiced... and heard.

While we realize that it may be difficult for many people to get past the "too little, too late" aspect of the Commission's belated planning process, we strongly urge park-users and neighbors to contribute their opinions and comments, either by email (parkmasterplan@auduboninstitute.org) or in writing to

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

Read more about SaveAudubonPark's Master Plan platform here.

NEW CLUBHOUSE INFORMATION

We have obtained many documents from the AC/ANI over the past year using Freedom of Information Act requests. In July 2001, we requested "all economic studies and projections of revenues and expenses in connection with the new golf course, including but not limited to business plans, pro formas, and other documents, whether prepared by ANI, AC or by an outside contractor". In response, we received a copy of the "Audubon Park Golf Course Redevelopment Study", prepared in May of 1998 by Golf Resource Associates, in which pages 12-37 were mysteriously absent.

We have finally obtained the missing pages, which turned out to be the section entitled "Evaluation of Market Opportunity". No one who pays attention to the world of golf course development in the US will be surprised to hear that the study confirms that numbers both of projected golfers and of demand in the "Audubon Market Area" is DECREASING.

But most informative in light of the current controversy over the size and scope of the new clubhouse is the fact that, while the study's authors recommend a new clubhouse, they state:

"In most cases, the needs of the public golf course patron precludes the necessity for extensive locker rooms, showers, or restaurant facilities. It is, in fact, rare when facilities such as these are more than a waste of space and development funds. In short, the primary purpose of the facility's clubhouse should be to provide an area where fees can be collected, starting of play can be controlled, refreshments can be purchased, and golf equipment and apparel can be merchandised."

This is certainly a far cry from the facility that is almost complete in Audubon Park, and for which an architect consulting on the project has drafted a new seating chart, which we also recently obtained. The original clubhouse floorplan that the ANI had on their website showed table seating for 39 diners, bar seating for 8, and miscellaneous seating for 11 (58 total). However, the new ANI seating chart shows table seating for 106 diners, bar seating for 10, and miscellaneous seating for 9, for a seating total of 125 for the clubhouse.

See the clubhouse seating charts here.

BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS APPEAL

The existing Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance permits restaurants in parks "within the confines of a zoo only." Despite that prohibition, and contrary to a 1970's decision denying a permit for a restaurant on the park's river frontage, the Department of Safety and Permits issued a permit for the proposed clubhouse on June 17, 2002. In July, Save Audubon Park appealed the granting of this permit to the Board of Zoning Adjustments, but on September 9, 2002, the BZA affirmed the permit for a restaurant in the clubhouse. Since restaurants are expressly not allowed in parks except within the confines of a zoo, the BZA's ruling is clearly contrary to law. Save Audubon Park therefore appealed the BZA's decision to the district court, where it was assigned to Judge Lloyd Medley. Pursuant to the applicable law, Judge Medley has appointed a referee to hear the case and forward his recommendations back to the court. A trial in this matter is scheduled for mid-March. The law requires that Save Audubon Park pay the costs of this appeal, which will include the referee's fee and the cost of having all proceedings transcribed. While Save Audubon Park can afford to pay for a few depositions and transcripts, it probably cannot, without more help from our supporters, afford to pay the referee or experts. We will need to raise approximately $10,000, and are presently asking our friends and supporters to help us fight this bold misuse of our public land.

Please consider mailing a contribution to:

Save Audubon Park,
757 St. Charles,
Suite 304,
New Orleans LA 70130.

Save Audubon Park will account for these funds separately, and, after the litigation is concluded, will refund any balance remaining to the donors on a pro rata basis. The IRS has approved Save Audubon Park as a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization (tax i.d. # 72-1514781), and your donation is tax deductible.