|
Our Loss...
|
1park n : 3 a : an area maintained in its natural state as a public property. Webster
|
What do we stand to lose?
|
|
|
|
On rainy days and after hours, the old golf course reverted back to the public park it was always
intended to be.
Created by the city in the 1870's as Upper City Park, the land already boasted gorgeous avenues
of live oaks. It was the site of the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition of 1884-85
before finally becoming a landscaped public park based on the designs of John Charles Olmsted
in the 1890's.
In 1898, in order to raise money for the landscaping and development of Audubon Park, the
central park meadow intended for passive recreation in the Olmsted master plan was leased
to the private Audubon Golf Club, which managed and maintained the golf course until the
Audubon Institute took over that task a decade ago.
|
|
It is not Too Late
|
|
A public agency using public money on public property should be accountable to someone.
If it's not the citizens they purportedly serve, shouldn't it at least be our duly elected representatives, the City Council and the Mayor?
Does the Audubon Institute's mandate given to them by the City Charter to "manage and maintain" the public asset of Audubon Park really give them the right to do whatever they please, whenever they please, no questions asked?
We think not.
|
|
|
That was then, this is now...
The magnificent grove of live oak trees shown in the banner photograph above is one of the most natural and untouched areas of the park. It is slated to become the site of the new clubhouse and other facilities, with roads built throughout. Not only is such massive construction guaranteed to damage the trees, it will remove this popular picnic and relaxation area from the use for which it was always intended, and in which it has functioned for generations: as a tranquil place of natural beauty for the people of this city. And natural beauty is measured in grass and trees, not buildings and roads.
Meditation Walk and the Conservatory
...which the Audubon Institute has allowed to fall into absolute disrepair, will be demolished, with a golf green and parking lot built in their place.
Hurst Walk seen from the Lagoon Bridge This public footpath across the present course will be eliminated and its traditional access across the Lagoon Bridge will be barricaded.
And we still don't know what's happening to the meteorite, although their plans call for this nostalgic item to be "removed by owner"!
|
