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Parks
Council puts Trail Foundation in charge of hike-and-bike trail
On Thursday, Austin City Council gave the Trail Foundation authority over the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Town Lake Metropolitan Park. Specifically, Council authorized the Trail Foundation to “negotiate and execute” both the operations and the maintenance of…
Parks • By Willow Higgins • Oct 27, 2021
Environmental, neighborhood groups call for 'rewilding' Zilker Park
One of the city’s main environmental groups hopes to increase biodiversity and reduce the impact of visitors to Zilker Park by pushing for more natural growth of trees and other plant life in the popular central city park. The Save Our…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 18, 2021
Waterloo Park gets permission to sell alcohol
Vendors will now be able to serve alcohol at Waterloo Park on a day-to-day basis following a decision Tuesday by the Planning Commission to approve a conditional use alcohol sales permit. “Waterloo Greenway looks forward to hosting many Austin community…
Parks • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 1, 2021
Parks board again rejects proposal to sell alcohol at Zilker Cafe
The issue of alcohol sales at Zilker Cafe made its third and final appearance before the Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday, with board members delivering a decisive 8-1 vote against recommending the proposal, given the cafe’s proximity – about…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Sep 30, 2021
PARD needs more funding, audit update shows
Since audits in 2016 and 2017, the Parks and Recreation Department has taken actions to address the management of its resources as well as cash handling problems. However, according to a follow-up report by the Office of the City Auditor,…
Parks • By Jo Clifton • Sep 23, 2021
The future of Hancock Golf Course remains unknown
The Parks and Recreation Board revisited the discussion about the fate of the Hancock Golf Course Tuesday while reviewing an extensive survey of public opinion on the matter. Anthony Segura, a parks department assistant director, and Kevin Gomillion, who manages…
Parks • By Kali Bramble • Sep 2, 2021
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Williamson Creek vision plan moves froward with OK from parks board
A rough-and-tumble segment of Williamson Creek in South Austin is on the road to restoration, cleanup and becoming a proper trail with amenities. With the Parks and Recreation Board’s unanimous recommendation last week, the Central Williamson Creek Greenway Vision Plan…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Aug 31, 2021
Parks board to reconsider Zilker alcohol sales
The Parks and Recreation Board revisited its decision regarding the controversial permit to sell alcohol at Zilker Cafe this past Tuesday, following concerns over the legitimacy of its original vote on the issue back in June. After a convoluted discussion…
Parks • By Kali Bramble • Aug 30, 2021
Proposed code amendments could be the path to more trails
Urban trails provide multiple benefits, but getting those trails built isn’t always a walk in the park. With so many residents relying on Austin’s network of trails for recreation and multi-use transportation, city officials are hoping to respond to the…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Aug 24, 2021
Trail Foundation and PARD poised to formalize long partnership
The Trail Foundation has been a steady partner of the Parks and Recreation Department since the nonprofit’s 2003 formation, growing out of a community-led effort to enhance the beauty of what is now known as Lady Bird Lake. Now the…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Aug 20, 2021
North Austin park poised to be renamed Heron Hollow Pocket Park
It took nearly two decades, but Payton Gin Pocket Park in North Austin is destined to be formally renamed Heron Hollow Pocket Park, a goal of the North Austin Civic Association and other stakeholders since the early 2000s. The Parks…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Jul 1, 2021
Naming process for Waterloo Park features raises questions about equity
What’s in a name? That question quickly moved to the fore of a Parks and Recreation Board discussion last week about proposed names for new features at Waterloo Park, which is set to reopen to the public Aug. 14 after…
