Minds Wide Open art center, on the second floor of Victorian Square, is across the street from a park that might have some appeal to the eye but is all but useless as a park for humans, particularly those of us who are considered to have disabilities. 

Three groups from our program critically examined that park and then walked to the site where the courthouse plaza will be. We discussed ways in which it could work as a lively place for people, events and culture generally. The result is what we call the ``50 Ideas for the Courthouse Park Project.'' 

Among the 50 ideas are a clock tower, hanging pots of flowers, bird feeders, a duck pond, fragrant flowers, picnic tables, benches with and without backs, wide paths, handicapped-accessible drinking fountains and restrooms, handicapped parking, Braille on signs, a music gazebo, an art-exhibit area, poetry and book readings, a serpentine wall, a community garden, stands that sell refreshments (lemonade, hot dogs, pretzels) and souvenirs (balloons, T-shirts), poster boards, an announcement center and an information booth.

Bruce Burris is program director at Minds Wide Open, an art center operated by Arc of the Bluegrass Inc., an affiliate of the Blue Grass Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board. 

Thursday, June 24, 1999, in the Herald-Leader