T he agenda for the monthly HPNA meeting is normally posted on the HydeParkAustin Yahoo group. The June agenda, posted by John Kerr, HPNA President, said that the meeting would include "a proposal from neighbor Mary Carolyn George for perhaps the boldest and most creative project for Hyde Park in several generations." At the meeting, the proposal was the last item. Mary Carolyn stood up and made her presentation. Here is the text of the proposal:

AN OPPORTUNITY?     As everyone knows, Avenue G between 44th and 45th Streets is currently closed, serving as a staging area for utility and road construction. The adjacent grounds of the Elisabet Ney Museum are similarly occupied.     From the front porch vantage-point near the corner of Ave. G and 44th Street, we have observed one unanticipated benefit. The 18-wheelers and other trucks large and small that make deliveries to our valued Hyde Park businesses are no longer able to zip down that section of Avenue G through our two areas of Hyde Park parkland between cars parked on both sides of the street.     Earlier efforts to re-direct truck traffic away from our two areas of city parkland have failed. The safety hazard created by this situation has long been a grave concern. (Although the police are sympathetic, they have determined that delivery trucks can travel any route they choose through our neighborhood):     (a). With the closure of Avenue G through our parks, delivery trucks have found alternative routes.     (b). The impact of the lost parking spaces appears to be minimal, with the opening of Shipe Pool on a holiday weekend.

Let us seize upon this opportunity for the enhancement of the Shipe Park and the grounds of "Formosa," the Elisabet Ney Museum.     Serving a far broader constituency than our nearby neighborhoods, Shipe Park is heavily used. More space is available and it is there to be used creatively. The Ney grounds have, heretofore, been under-utilized. The projected restoration of the historic grounds of "Formosa" would be respected and integrated into the total plan.     By making the closure of Avenue G between 44th and 45th permanent, thereby joining our two adjacent parks, the total area will be increased significantly, and inspiring uses will be possible.     The lovely but seldom used area south of 45th along G to the creek within the Ney grounds will be integrated into the totality of the parkland. Possibilities:     (a). Develop the "Paseo" concept, a landscaped and well-lighted area for people of all ages (+ dogs). Seating under the trees. Perhaps a covered pavilion. Continued on page 14