This summer, the Parks and Recreation Department plans to keep open both Metz Neighborhood Pool and Mabel Davis Municipal Pool. Late last month, the department announced its intention to close the District 3 pools. Last summer, Mabel Davis lost 25,561 gallons of water each day and Metz lost 21,192. Each saw declined usage, according to the […]
Parks
Posted inDevelopment, Parks
Decker Golf gets first positive sign from committee
The City Council Committee on Economic Development gave supporters of a proposal for a PGA-style golf course at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park their first victory Monday. The four-member committee voted unanimously to approve a framework for additional benefits for East Austin in a contract with Decker Lake Golf LLC. Council Member Ellen Troxclair, who […]
Posted inParks
Parks will consider keeping city pools open
After impassioned reactions from neighbors to news that the city would close Metz Neighborhood and Mabel Davis Municipal pools this summer for extensive repairs, the Parks and Recreation Department told the Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee on Wednesday that it was looking into ways to keep the pools open. These would only be stopgap […]
Posted inParks, Resources
Residents confront Parks Board over pool closures
East Austin residents demanded answers from the Parks and Recreation Board during its Tuesday meeting over news that Metz Neighborhood Pool and Mabel Davis Municipal Pool will close this summer for extensive repairs. The item was not on the board’s agenda, but after hearing Monday that the two pools, both in District 3, will be closed, residents […]
Posted inParks
City to close some swimming pools, reduce hours
Citing budget shortfalls, water conservation issues and a lack of lifeguards, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department says it will close two pools and cut back pool operating hours this summer. The department says it would cost the city $41 million to bring all of its public pools into good repair. According to a memo […]
Posted inBicycles, Parks, Preservation
Urban Forestry Board critical of USA Cycling report
Members of the Urban Forestry Board are highly critical of the methods used in a report by USA Cycling that claims the city, not the cycling organization, caused most of the damage done to 57 trees in Zilker Park during a Cyclocross event in January. USA Cycling said in January it had budgeted funds to […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Parks
May vote possible on Decker Golf proposal
City Council Member Ellen Troxclair, chair of the Council Economic Opportunity Committee, said she intends for her committee to vote on the Decker Lake Golf proposal at its next meeting May 11. Troxclair outlined some options for her colleagues at Monday’s committee meeting following nearly two hours of presentations and discussion. Troxclair said they could […]
Posted inCity Council, Parks
Open Space panel urges better communication
At its first official meeting, the Council Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee urged city departments to keep residents better informed of changes to the Walnut Creek Hike and Bike Trail. Parks and Recreation Department project manager Marty Stump gave the committee an update Wednesday, sitting adjacent to a handful of angry neighbors who said […]
Posted inParks
Parks Board asks for moratorium on naming parks
Without rules, they won’t name. That is what the Parks and Recreation Board decided Tuesday night when members considered an item to rename the Quick Start Tennis Courts on Johnny Morris Road. The board voted not to recommend the item, and in a 4-0 vote (Members Michael Casias, Hill Abell and Susan Roth were absent), […]
Posted inAustin, Parks, Resources
Council weighs in on Parkland Events Task Force
Some City Council members say the naming of a public parks task force will finally bring action on discussions the city has been having for years about the strain special events place on the city’s parkland. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo said the creation of a Parkland Events Task Force, passed unanimously at Council’s March […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Parks
No progress at committee on Decker Golf proposal
Those interested in progress on the proposed license agreement between the city and Decker Lake Golf LLC for the development and management of a world-class golf course at Walter E. Long Lake were probably disappointed in the outcome of Monday’s meeting of the City Council Committee on Economic Development. Committee Chair Ellen Troxclair told Economic […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Development, Parks
Two committees to take up Decker Golf questions
After raising numerous questions about the deal it is being asked to approve for creation of two high-end golf courses at the Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park in far East Austin, City Council voted 9-1-1 Thursday to send those questions to two Council committees. District 1 Council Member Ora Houston voted no, and District 4 […]