Plans to rehab or replace the Barton Springs Road Bridge are well underway, and those that want a say in how they play out can stop by a feedback open house today from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The open house will take place at the McBeth Recreation Center located at 2401 Columbus Drive. Those that can’t attend in person, or want to do so fully equipped with knowledge about the current proposals, can visit the city’s website or subscribe to the project newsletter for ongoing updates.

The Austin Parks Foundation has released its 2023 schedule of free, outdoor summer movies. After a weather delay, Movies in the Park relaunches April 13 with a 7 p.m. screening of “Back to the Future” at Dick Nichols District Park. The schedule in its entirety is:

• “Back to the Future” @ Dick Nichols District Park: Thu., April 13, 7 p.m.
• “The Lego Batman Movie” @ Dove Springs District Park: Thu., April 27, 7 p.m.
• “Free Guy” @ Gus Garcia District Park: Thu., May 25, 7:30 p.m.
• “The Sandlot” @ Govalle District Park: Thu., June 29, 7 p.m.
• “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” @ TBA: Fri., Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
• “Hocus Pocus” @ Mueller Lake Park: Thu., Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
• “Moana” @ Mabel Davis District Park: Fri., Nov. 10, 7 p.m.

Guests to the screenings are encouraged to bring (non-glass, non-Styrofoam) picnics, blankets, chairs and on-leash dogs. This year, APF is also hosting a series of “Playdates in the Park” with Creative Action that include story times, arts and crafts, music and more. Information about the playdates can be found here. And the playdates include:

• Garrison District Park: Wed., April 12, 10 a.m.
• Alderbrook Pocket Park: Sat., April 29, 10 a.m.
• Armadillo Neighborhood Park: Wed., May 10, 10 a.m.
• Patterson Neighborhood Park: Sat., May 27, 10 a.m.

“We’ve seen the sense of community that park-centered events like our In the Park series fosters among our neighbors and attendees,” said Colin Wallis, CEO of Austin Parks Foundation, in a statement to the press. “Giving Austinites access to free programming allows for more opportunities to get the community to enjoy our parks and green spaces and provides a safe, fun atmosphere for family and friends to gather.”

Travis County leaders, led by Travis County Judge Andy Brown, will host a taco-rich town hall at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature community questions, conversation and free tacos at the Webberville Road location of Veracruz All Natural. Those interested in attending can RSVP for more details and submit questions  for county commissioners about Travis County services, issues, or anything else that is weighing on one’s county-focused mind.

Editor’s Note: Andy Brown is on the board of the Capital of Texas Media Foundation, which is the parent nonprofit of the Austin Monitor.

Project Connect has been in the news recently, fueled by the hiring of a new leader, budget woes and a leak of maps showing plans have been pared down from original promises. Next week, Austinites will get the chance to sound off on new draft maps, which come with the following warning from the Austin Transit Partnership: “Facing rising costs and supply chain issues affecting communities on a global basis, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) is developing a light rail plan to deliver the transit expansion to the community while being mindful of budgetary restrictions.” Feedback on the maps (which have yet to be revealed) kicks off on Tuesday, March 21, with an open house at Austin Central Library from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The 2023 Mobility Annual Plan (MAP) is ready for the eyes of Austinites, and the city is looking for feedback. The plan, implemented with the help of mobility bonds, is a citywide guide to mobility improvements. Each year, as part of the process to improve mobility infrastructure, the public is invited to weigh in. This year’s process is underway and will continue through March 26. The draft plan, as well as an interactive map of projects and feedback forms in English and Spanish, can all be found online.

Though Thursday’s public meeting on planned improvements to the Barton Springs Road bridge was postponed due to the threat of severe weather, anyone with an opinion to share with the project team is still invited to say their piece via a virtual meeting on Speak Up Austin. Right now, the bridge is overdue for improvements and current plans include the prospect of widening it and adding new bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths, or replacement of it altogether. According to an estimated timeline provided by the city, the design phase will launch this fall, with construction expected to take place from fall of 2025 until spring of 2027.

The next Imagine Austin Speaker Series webinar is titled “Partnering with Community Leaders: Equity-Focused Approaches to Community Engagement for the Rain to River Strategic Plan Update.” Despite its unwieldy title, the webinar offers a chance for the city’s Watershed Protection Department to showcase Rain to River, the strategic plan that will guide the work of the department over the next decade. The plan was created “on a foundation of inclusive, equity-focused community engagement,” according to the announcement. The panel will discuss their process and how they specifically included “the voices of communities historically left out of city planning processes” in their efforts. Wednesday, March 8, 5-6:30 p.m. Register here.

If you have any interest or background in food issues, you might consider applying to a new community advisory committee spearheaded by the city’s Office of Sustainability. The committee members will be tasked with helping to create the very first Austin/Travis County Food Plan, a five-year road map aimed at addressing food access programs for the community, financing options to mitigate historic food disparities and improving healthy food availability for all. Hoping to get a diverse group, the city encourages any community members with interest in these topics to apply. Learn more at AustinTexas.gov/food and apply here. Applications are due Friday, Nov. 4.

Central Health is inviting partners, stakeholders and community members to attend a conversation on Central Health’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget priorities “and learn how we are building a comprehensive healthcare system to improve the health of Travis County residents with low income,” according to the announcement. 

• Thursday, Aug. 4, 6:30-8 p.m., Turner Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Drive. Dinner will be provided. RSVP here.
• Tuesday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Southeast Health & Wellness Center, 2901 Montopolis Drive. Lunch will be provided. RSVP here.
• Thursday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Central Health Headquarters, 1111 E Cesar Chavez St. Lunch will be provided.  RSVP here. (This event will also be streamed on Facebook Live.)