How many years should it take for a concession in city parks to gain legacy status? City staff are proposing 30 years, but some Parks and Recreation Board members say that number is too high. After deliberating whether to recommend lowering the threshold, the board ultimately voted to ask City Council to weigh how women […]
Parks and Recreation Board
The city’s Parks and Recreation Board members deal with the acquisition, development, improvement, and maintenance of Austin’s parks and playgrounds.
Posted inParks
City could use Hemphill Park as a drainage site to mitigate flooding
Adams Hemphill Neighborhood Park could serve as a detention basin to reduce flood risk in a Central Austin historic neighborhood. The Parks and Recreation Board last month voted for a recommendation to City Council to approve 138,136 square feet of the park for permanent use, and another 11,997 square feet of parkland for temporary use, […]
Posted inNewsletter
Austin, Monitored: Playing ball, court updates and pension fund progress
Callout: Today’s newsletter is supported by “Austin Parks Foundation’s Party for the Parks” ⚪️ Quote of the Day “It’s been challenging in recent years for residents of the city who wanted to access baseball and soccer fields, which require a fair degree of maintenance… The city had set up a variety of contracts with local organizations […]
Posted inParks
Parks board aims to make city ball fields more accessible to community
The Parks and Recreation Board expects to vote later this month on a resolution that calls for greater public access to city-owned baseball, softball and soccer fields. To accomplish the goals outlined in the draft proposal, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department would need to standardize and clarify the contract language with outside organizations that […]
Posted inParks
City, parks boards weigh funding options to stem expected shortfalls
The city could consider new user fees, expanded partnerships, naming rights and even the creation of a regional park authority as part of a broad effort to close a growing funding gap in the parks system, according to a consultant report released last month. Commissioned by the Parks and Recreation Department, the report outlines short- […]
Posted inParks
Parks Board recommends vendor for Zilker Café, while voicing concerns about lack of local presence
The Parks and Recreation Board on Monday recommended city approval of a vendor to operate Zilker Café, the long-vacant concession stand located steps from Barton Springs Pool. The vote comes four years after a previous parks board rejected a local vendor over plans to sell alcohol – an idea that drew strong opposition from pool […]
Posted inParks
In rare move, Council delays decision on nominee’s appointment to the parks board
For the second time in less than a year, community member Ted Eubanks faced opposition to his nomination to the city’s Parks and Recreation Board. Eubanks, a 40-year parks professional who specializes in heritage and nature tourism, was one of more than 30 nominees on a list awaiting City Council approval Thursday to serve on […]
Posted inParks
Parks and Rec Board to explore “rainbow bridge” pet memorial
The Parks and Recreation Board voted Tuesday to form a working group tasked with exploring the creation of a “rainbow bridge” pet memorial at a city park. The proposed interactive feature would allow park visitors to honor their pets, particularly dogs, that have passed away. Chair Pedro Villalobos highlighted the success of similar rainbow bridges […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Parks and Recreation Department contemplates a 2026 bond, two years overdue
Austin Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of developing its 2026 integrated bond, with the last one created eight years ago for a 2018 bond election. These bonds fund capital improvement projects for parks and recreation, including building new parks, improving existing parks, and acquiring land. The Parks and Recreation Board heard a […]
Posted inPreservation
Documentary film highlights the history of an 1870s-era home and the story of Clarksville
Everyone involved in the making of “Haskell House and the Story of Clarksville,” a documentary short film about the oldest documented residence within the Clarksville National Register historic district, was recognized by the Austin Parks and Recreation Board at its regular meeting this past Monday. “The Haskell House holds an invaluable piece of our City’s […]
Posted inParks
Council will consider new parks funding and management strategies
On Thursday, City Council is slated to approve a resolution from Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool that directs the city manager to explore new parks funding strategies; to consider a regional approach to parks funding, acquisition and maintenance; and to provide an annual report on the city’s Parkland Dedication Fund. The draft resolution lists potential […]
Posted inParks
Parks and Recreation Board recommends audit of contracts governing city sports fields
The Austin Parks and Recreation Board unanimously voted to recommend that City Council conduct a comprehensive audit of all contracts related to dozens of city-owned baseball and soccer fields. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department frequently contracts with outside organizations to manage, maintain and use some of the city-owned baseball and soccer fields. The recommended […]