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Parks
Could pocket parks be the new norm?
Grappling with a number of park-deficient areas around the city, various Austin neighborhoods are struggling to find places that could serve as parkland nearby residents can enjoy. This week, members of the Parks and Recreation Board agreed on a possible…
Parks • By Sommer Brugal • May 26, 2017
Parks board embraces plans for Republic Square
Ten years after Austin first announced its vision for the remodeling of Republic Square, the space is finally set to make its debut in the heart of downtown Austin this fall. Mandi Thomas, the partnership and development director of the…
Parks • By Sommer Brugal • May 26, 2017
City looks to clean up graffiti program
A program that was originally intended to help at-risk youth gain job skills has evolved into a city-funded graffiti clean-up service that is doing the work that should be left to private property owners. “It’s a great program and we…
Austin • By Jack Craver • May 25, 2017
Parks officials eye hotel tax dollars for underfunded capital projects
With changes expected in how Austin allocates its fast-growing pool of tax money generated from local hotel and motel stays, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department has put forward the first version of its wish list for expensive infrastructure projects.…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • May 9, 2017
City moves forward on major park in Onion Creek area
The city is trying to make the best out of a bad situation by turning flood-ravaged land near Onion Creek into one of Austin’s premier open spaces. Earlier this month, City Council approved a resolution to begin the process of…
Parks • By Jack Craver • Mar 20, 2017
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Zilker Park could soon see new ADA-compliant restroom
At its Feb. 1 meeting, the Environmental Commission approved staff recommendation to grant an amendment and a variance to city code that would allow an additional restroom facility to be built inside Zilker Park. Gary Gregson, the program coordinator from…
Parks • By Joseph Caterine • Feb 6, 2017
Task force report recommends moving popular events to different parks
Parks facilities in East Austin are likely to become host sites for a variety of large events in the coming years as the city looks to reduce the event schedule at its major urban core parks. A move toward utilization…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 13, 2016
Parks compliance with ADA to take 10 years
Nearly a year after the city’s established compliance deadline for the new American with Disabilities Act requirements, the Parks and Recreation Board heard a presentation on the city’s ADA transition plan during its Dec. 6 meeting. Jesus Lardizabal from Altura…
Parks • By Joseph Caterine • Dec 9, 2016
Parks board OKs Lamar Beach Master Plan
In advance of its appearance at the Dec. 8 City Council meeting, the Lamar Beach Master Plan was approved with recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Board when it met on Dec. 6. “This is a bad deal for the…
Parks • By Joseph Caterine • Dec 8, 2016
Proposal stirs debate over whether internet would bring Pokemon or porn to parks
Members of the Parks and Recreation Board recently painted two very different images of a proposal to investigate the idea of bringing free Wi-Fi access to Auditorium Shores. In an 8-1 vote at their Oct. 25 meeting, board members passed a…
Parks • By Cate Malek • Oct 28, 2016
Parks and Rec Board hopes to make golf courses self-sustaining
Worried that Austin’s municipal golf courses are sucking money away from the city’s already underfunded parks, the Parks and Recreation Board is investigating how to make the courses pay for themselves. The city’s municipal golf courses have been operating at…