The Youth Activities Committee of St. Roch’s Church met with Mr. Louis Buckowitz, St. Louis Park Commissioner, to initiate plans to close Grand Drive in Forest Park to traffic and return it to park use by residents of the neighborhood.
The plan was one of the winners in The Paper’s Brain Drain Contest last spring and was submitted by Mrs. Jane Hart the 6200 block of McPherson.
The project involves closing Grand Drive, which parallels Lindell Blvd. from DeBaliviere to Skinker, and closing the cut-off to Forsythe near Skinker to all automotive traffic. With Lindell and the Forest Park Expressway running parallel, there seems no need for automobiles to use park land. The purpose of the plan is to provide safe play and walking space in the park for those living near this area. At present this stretch of land has a traffic artery on each side and a golf course on the south side of Grand Drive.
The Open Space Council has endorsed the plan and is also asking for a review of all traffic in the park. The plan could be implemented on a temporary basis by the proper placement of traffic barricades.
Mr. Buckowitz agreed to arrange a meeting between the planners and representatives of the Zoo, Art Museum and Opera.
Originally published in The Paper, August 1971.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1971_08.pdf, printed page 2.
