After the Parks and Recreation Board deferred the Zilker Park Stratford Drive Landfill Redevelopment Project to the Environmental Commission for review hoping for some clarity as to environmental repercussions, the waters only muddied further. Concerns about leaching, automotive abuse of the landfill’s clay cap, lack of green space, and the location of the proposed parking […]
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.
Posted inAustin
City continues to work on Zilker special event parking
The city transportation department is adamant: Nothing has been determined yet about parking for special events held in Zilker Park. Hence, the meeting at the Austin Energy headquarters on Barton Spring Road Thursday evening was an opportunity for Austinites to review different proposed parking policies for major events, such as the Austin City Limits Music […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Special event parking near Zilker might not be that bad
City officials involved in crafting a new special event parking permit program are urging people to relax. A proposal to limit parking in neighborhoods near Zilker Park during major events, notably Austin City Limits Festival, ABC Kite Festival and the Trail of Lights, has been largely misinterpreted, a number of officials told the Austin Monitor. […]
Posted inParks
Parking meters? In Zilker Park?
Austinites who frequent Zilker Park are used to kites, lights and fences going up. But this week, a wholly unfamiliar sight within the park grounds caught some residents off guard. Last week, the Parks and Recreation Department sent out notice that, beginning March 5, it would “implement a new method for collecting Zilker Park entry […]
Posted inParks
Zilker Cafe likely to change hands
The Parks and Recreation Board recommended a new contract for the Zilker Cafe on Tuesday after months of reviewing bids by several contractors. Rodriguez Concessions has held the existing contract since 1950. It was denied a five-year extension of that contract, which expired yesterday. The board voted 10-1 to recommend approval of the new contract […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Parks Department collects more from special events ticket sales
The city of Austin collected more than double the previous year’s amount of money from Austin City Limits Music Festival ticket sales last year, following a new fee schedule adopted by City Council starting in the 2013-2014 budget year. In 2013, the city pocketed roughly $438,000 from ACL festival ticket sales. That revenue more than […]
Posted inRoads, Transportation
Land Committee concerned over Zilker Park lanes
In response to pushback from members of the Land, Facilities and Program Committee last week, engineers said they are open to reconsidering the placement of elevated express toll lanes proposed as part of a MoPac South expansion plan. As the proposed plan stands, two elevated express lanes would start their rise north of Bee Caves […]
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, Environment, Music & Entertainment, Parks
City plans to repair cyclo-cross damage at Zilker
City staff has revealed a one-year plan that they hope will remediate tree and turf damage related to a national cyclo-cross championship held in Zilker Park earlier this month. Watershed Protection Department Environmental Officer Chuck Lesniak told the Environmental Board Wednesday that Parks and Recreation Department staff and City Arborist Michael Embesi have “a pretty […]