Austin residents regularly use city parks but are divided over how they should be maintained, according to a January/February poll of 429 voters commissioned by Notley and conducted by national pollster Change Research for the Austin Monitor.
The poll comes as Austin leaders continue to focus on parks and open space and projects like the Texas Capitol Complex and the Waterloo Greenway, and as the city considers its role in the Interstate 35 Capital Express project. The city is working with the Texas Department of Transportation to incorporate open and park space into the designs for the section that will run through Austin.
A solid majority of respondents to the poll report they visit city parks monthly or weekly. Less than 10 percent said they never use city parks. But the results are more mixed when it comes to demographics. Younger residents report using park space more regularly than those over 65. College-educated voters also report taking advantage of parks more than their non-college-educated counterparts.
When it comes to identifying the greatest challenge facing city parks, opinions among respondents varied greatly. A plurality did not agree that any of the listed issues exist within city parks. Although the Parks and Recreation Board has heard complaints about off-leash dogs, that topic is on the lower list of complaints along with cleanliness and inconvenient locations. When respondents did select an issue, the majority selected lack of parking, lack of safety, and lack of maintenance and proper facilities.
After learning that the city collects fees from developers to acquire, enhance and maintain city parks, a strong majority of voters supported improving public parkland – even if it means an increase in the cost of housing and office space. Democrats, college-educated voters, white voters, and voters under 34 were the most supportive of the idea. Groups expressing the least support for the idea were Republicans and Hispanic voters.
Respondents were also divided over the future of Zilker Park, which is the subject of a draft vision plan. About a fifth believe transit and improved pedestrian and biking access are the most necessary improvements. Another fifth believe that restoring native plants and allowing less room for social and athletic activities is the most critical. Another fifth believe there should be better recreational facilities and services. Sixteen percent favor more parking and 17 percent would leave the park as it is.
In a poll commissioned by Notley for the Austin Monitor, Change Research surveyed 429 voters in Austin, Texas, from Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2023, using a sample reflective of the electorate. Post-stratification weighting was performed on age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, ZIP code, and 2020 presidential vote, with weighting parameters based on voter file data and election results based on numbers released by the Texas Secretary of State. The modeled margin of error for the survey is 5.3 percent. Complete survey results and methodology are available here.
Photo by Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Austin Monitor’s work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.
And we’re honored you look to us for serious, in-depth news. You know a strong community needs local and dedicated watchdog reporting. We’re here for you and that won’t change. Now will you take the powerful next step and support our nonprofit news organization?
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department: The city department responsible for the city's park system, rec centers, and associated infrastructure.
Zilker Park: Austin's largest downtown park, Zilker Park is comprised of 350 acres donated by Andrew Jackson Zilker in 1917. It contains the Zilker Botanical Gardens, Umlauf Sculpture Garden and adjoins Barton Springs Pool.
