The Internet is replete with crowdfunding appeals for endless pet projects: help fund your college roommate’s rap EP, pitch in for your buddy’s film or donate a few dollars toward your cousin’s volunteer trip to Haiti. But what about a Kickstarter campaign to outfit a neighborhood pool with picnic tables, benches and a new pavilion? […]
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department
The city department responsible for the city’s park system, rec centers, and associated infrastructure.
Posted inAustin
Cemetery Master Plan gets swift approval, some add-ons
Although the city’s 511-page Historic Cemeteries Master Plan has gotten quick approval from relevant boards and commissions before heading to City Council, several bodies have tacked on their own concerns along the way. The master plan, which considers the future of five historic municipal cemeteries in Austin, most recently received unanimous approval from Parks and […]
Posted inAustin
Economic development proposals going to task force
Mayor Steve Adler pushed for and won more time to consider an economic development plan for East Austin on Thursday. The plan will go along with consideration of an agreement to create PGA-style golf courses at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. Decker Lake Golf LLC is seeking a 50-year license agreement in order to develop […]
Posted inDevelopment
Houston sees disparity in treatment of parks
Unless the item gets bogged down by a requirement that a master plan for Lamar Beach be completed first, City Council is likely to approve on Thursday a 50-year agreement with the West Austin Youth Association for renovations to three baseball fields and an additional youth sports field. The same cannot be said for a […]
Posted inParks
Metz and Mabel Davis pools to remain open
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 […]
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
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 Hall
Council puts off controversial appointment
City Council postponed the appointment of a controversial cemetery advocate to two parks committees Thursday, with only Council Member Don Zimmerman, who sponsored Sharon Blythe’s appointment, in opposition. In the past, Council nominations for city boards and commissions have caused little stir. However, Zimmerman’s nomination of cemetery activist Blythe to the Parks Board as well […]
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, Development, Parks, Planning, Resources
Council vote on Decker Golf contract uncertain
At least four members of City Council expressed an interest Tuesday in sending the question of whether the city should enter into the contract for a developer to create two PGA-class golf courses at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park to a Council committee, making it less likely that Council will actually vote on the item […]