The plan makes recommendations for many changes, but it also seeks further public comment on several issues, such as whether to change the park's hours, enhance lighting along the jogging path that circles the golf course, and perhaps create a skate park for skateboarders and in-line skaters.

Overall, the draft report says, the Audubon Commission thinks "its highest priority (is) to continue its stewardship of the unique character of Audubon Park" and that it therefore plans "no major changes to land uses."

Whether the park should be the scene of further development or whether it already contains too many buildings and not enough passive green space has been the subject of intense debate in recent years, particularly since officials decided to rebuild the golf course and build a new golf clubhouse next to the park's main grove of live oak trees.

Most of the major changes proposed in the draft plan would be in Riverview, the park's least historic and scenic section.

The draft represents the halfway mark in development of a master plan for all sections of Audubon Park outside the zoo. A public meeting to receive comments on the draft will be July 9 at 7 p.m. in the Audubon Tea Room.

Audubon officials will continue to accept written comments until the end of July, after which staff members and consultants will prepare a 90 percent complete draft. After another public meeting and period for comment on that draft, the commission hopes to adopt a final master plan by early 2004.

Several sections of the 50 percent draft reflect comments made at a January public meeting that drew more than 150 people.

The draft master plan is divided into six sections. Highlights include:

• Infrastructure: Four different schemes for adding lights to the jogging path are under consideration, as are the effects such changes would have on park security and nearby residents. Most of the park now closes at 11 p.m., but that might be changed to 9 p.m. if lights are added, the draft says, because lights would attract more after-dark users, increasing concerns about the safety of park users and neighbors.

  There also are plans to improve drainage in several areas of the park, and more benches would be placed around the park. No expansion of the zoo is planned.

  The three shelters in the front section of the park would continue to operate, but restrictions may be placed on the use of Shelter No. 10, next to the Newman Bandstand near Magazine Street, by large groups. Such groups could be moved to a new shelter to be built in the upriver section of Riverview. The Riverview restrooms would be upgraded, and covered areas and concessions facilities would be added nearby.

• Vehicular and pedestrian movement: No major changes in movement patterns are planned, except for signals and other changes to improve traffic along Magazine Street and make it easier and safer for park users to cross Magazine.

  The jogging path would not be enlarged, though an access path from Magazine would be a dded, and there are no plans to build a new two-mile running path sought by some runners. No decision has been reached on whether to make major changes to the horse trail.

  Public comment is sought on proposals to add a jogging path between Magazine Street and the Riverview entrance and to eliminate the vehicle road leading from Riverview back to Magazine.

• Athletic programs: No major changes are planned to the golf course, swimming pool or Riverview soccer fields, but a new youth baseball complex and restroom/concessions building are planned in Riverview. A baseball field for players with disabilities is planned behind the tennis courts, next to Children's Hospital. The tennis courts would remain unlit, and they would be open only during the day, but their clubhouse and restrooms would be improved.

  The idea of building a concrete skate park in the upriver section of Riverview is raised in the draft, but no recommendation is made. Proponents say such a facility would give skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX bikers a safe place to practice their sports. But building it could interfere with plans for the new shelter in that area.

• Trees: Audubon will soon have a three-member crew in charge of maintaining the park's more than 4,000 trees, including 1,400 live oaks, at an annual cost of $200,000. Money for the program will come from the golf course and private donations, the plan says.

• Environment: No major additions are planned to the park's formally landscaped areas, such as the St. Charles entrance. Efforts would be made to enhance the lushness of grass and lawn areas, but the areas would not be enlarged. No changes are planned to the lagoon except upgrading the water quality through additional aeration.

  More garbage cans would be placed near shelters, and more stations would be added to dispense bags that people can use to pick up their pets' droppings.

  There are plans for a 60-foot-wide brick and stone meditation labyrinth, with no raised elements, to be built on the river side of the stables, where a temporary labyrinth has attracted a devoted following in the past year or two. A meditation walk would be created nearby.

• Education: Signs would be placed throughout the park to educate users about Audubon's flora and fauna, especially its most common trees and birds, and about the park's "rich, interesting and diverse" history, such as the world's fair held on the site in 1884-85. The public is asked for comments on what the signs should look like.