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Park Improvement Projects
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department oversees more than 17,576.06
acres of land containing 206 parks, 12 preserves (sanctuaries for
native plants, native animals and unique natural features), and
26 greenbelts (parkland on creeks and canyons). Ongoing park improvement projects happen throughout the year.
Community and Cultural Projects
On Nov. 7, 2006, Austin voters approved the issuance of $31.5 million in tax supported General Obligation Bonds and Notes for constructing, renovating, improving, and equipping community and cultural facilities including, without limitation, the Zachary Scott Theater, an African American Cultural and Heritage Facility, an Asian American Resource Center, the Austin Film Studios, the Mexican American Cultural Center, a Mexic-Arte Art Museum, and acquiring land and interests in land and property necessary to do so; and the levy of a tax sufficient to pay for the bonds and notes.
Park Improvement Projects
On Nov. 7, 2006, Austin voters approved a $84.7 million bond program $84.7 million in tax supported General Obligation bonds and Notes for constructing, renovating, improving and equipping public parks, recreation centers, natural areas, and other related facilities, including, without limitation, playgrounds, hike and bike trails, sports courts, and swimming pools; and acquiring land and interests in land and property necessary to do so; and the levy of a tax sufficient to pay for the bonds and notes.
The Parks and Recreation Department designs, manages and constructs many park improvement projects inhouse. View a list of these projects and the status.
Elisabet Ney Museum Building, ADA Accessibility and Landscape Improvements
The Elisabet Ney Museum restoration and ADA upgrade are made possible by bonds passed by the citizens of Austin, Texas, and a grant from the Save America's Treasures program of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Mary Moore Searight Disc Golf Course Improvement Project
Beginning September of 2009 - installation of concrete tee pads, new baskets and creek crossing and drainage repairs.
"Walk for a Day" (WFAD) will be a well-planned, well managed, and well-funded regional trail that will be constructed in phases as funding and other resources become available. WFAD will provide public recreational and wilderness experiences connecting people to the environment and heritage of Barton Springs and the Central Texas Hill Country.
The City of Austin and Hill Country Conservancy enter into this Memorandum of Agreement for the mutual benefit of the City of Austin, The conservancy and our respective constituents and supports.
City of Austin Barton Springs Pool Tree Assessments.
In the course of preparing the Barton Springs Pool Master Plan, various trees were identified as needing an advanced and sophisticated assessment to make the most informed decisions regarding the plan of action for the trees. The assessment would be in addition to the Parks and Recreation Department’s highly qualified and experienced Urban Forestry Program’s assessment of the majority of the trees around Barton Springs Pool (BSP).
Through the City of Austin's bid process, a contract was signed with Davey Resource Group (DRG) to complete a thorough and comprehensive study of 46 trees around BSP. This included radar images of the tree trunks and larger branches to determine whether weak points exist within the trees, foliar analysis, soil analysis, and other analyses. The Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Forestry Program staff have utilized the results to determine the best course of action regarding the trees assessed by DRG along with the numerous additional trees assessed by Forestry staff.
The Tree Assessment Report and related documents can be reviewed on the Barton Springs Master Plan web page.
Town Lake Metropolitan Park - Auditorium Shores and Butler Park Project
In 1998, City of Austin residents voted in favor of a bond proposition which allocated tax dollars towards the creation of the Town Lake Park Master Plan, a document which programmed the area bounded by Lady Bird Lake to the North, Riverside Drive to the South, South 1st to the East and the now abandoned Dawson Road to the West. Since the adoption of the master plan in 1999, two phases of construction have been completed which bring the city closer to reaching the goals established in the master plan. Palmer Auditorium was built in Phase I and Phase II work resulted in the green space known as Butler Park. With these two phases completed, Phases III & IV along Lady Bird Lake are the last phases remaining to be renovated in accordance with the master plan.
Town Lake Corridor - the jewel of the center city that includes a hike and bike trail, hosts special events, and captures spectacular views of nature and the urban skyline.
Trail Enhancement Plan - December 2008
The Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake Proposed Plan.
The City of Austin is considering a plan that would close the southeastern gap of the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail.
The Boardwalk Trail at Lady Bird Lake would extend the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail more than one mile from the east side of the Austin American-Statesman building to Lakeshore Park.
The Trail Foundation identified a heavily used area of the Hike and Bike Trail that needed a creative park improvement project. "Between the Bridges" is our name for the area on the south side of Lady Bird Lake between the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge and the historic Union Pacific railroad bridge. This gateway area to the trail will, with the recent opening of nearby Butler Park, is heavily used as an access point to the Lady Bird Lake area.
The Trail Foundation designed and installed a project to screen the parking lot and beautify this area. A unique feature of the project is the serpentine wall that weaves along the trail and the existing grove of trees to the east. The meandering wall gracefully emerges as one approaches from the east or west to provide a unique trail-side meeting place and resting point. A lake overlook and informal seating walls makes this a natural gathering place for trail users. This project goes beyond meeting utilitarian needs and sets a new standard for improvements along the trail. After the summer heat subsides, SiLabs Green Team volunteers will help us plant hundreds of new perennials along the walls in September.
Thank you to the Trail Foundation and all it's members and donors for this great gift to the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
Town Lake Corridor Study
Riverside Boardwalk Investment Study - Completing the Town Lake Trail, September 2007
Waterfront Overlay Sub-districts
2000 ROMA "Austin Town Lake Corridor Study"
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