AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s Parks and Recreation Board is meeting tonight at 6 p.m. to consider a proposal about Zilker Park’s future.
After this year’s ACL Festival left parts of the park muddy and damaged, some board members want to take a closer look at how the city can care for and preserve it.
From walking the trails to spending time with family, Zilker Park means something different to everyone.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Board is considering how to protect it for years to come. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
Now, the city’s Parks and Recreation Board is considering how to protect it for years to come.
“The biggest attraction that’s kept me in Austin is being able to go to that park any time of the day,” Zilker Park regular Brandon Hewitt said.
“We just like to walk around and have [the kids] run around,” Zilker Park visitor Karla Quintanilla said.
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After this year’s ACL Festival left parts of the park muddy and damaged, some board members want to take a closer look at how the city can care for and preserve it. (CBS Austin/Jane Page)
After rain turned parts of the Great Lawn into mud during ACL, the park is still recovering.
The board is discussing a proposal to create a working group focused on Zilker’s preservation, conservation, restoration, and sustainability.
“With just that little one-sentence statement in there, you know, I want them to define what they are talking about for preservation,” President of Austin Neighborhoods Council, Jeffery Bowen, said. “What are they talking about for conservation and the restoration?”
The board is discussing a proposal to create a working group focused on Zilker’s preservation, conservation, restoration, and sustainability. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
Bowen also wants to know who would be part of that group, and whether residents and park advocates would have a voice.
“Is it just the working group on the commission, or are you bringing in different groups to be part of this whole process to discuss what they’re wanting to do?” Bowen said.
ALSO | From mud to dust: How the Great Lawn held up after two weekends of ACL
For visitors like Hewitt, protecting the park is important, even when it means temporary closures. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
For visitors like Hewitt, protecting the park is important, even when it means temporary closures.
“I understand why they have to close it,” Hewitt said. “But it is obviously rather inconvenient for some people.”
Austin’s Parks and Recreation Board is meeting to consider a proposal about Zilker Park’s future. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
ACL organizers previously said:
For 25 years, ACL Fest has enjoyed an incredible partnership with both the City of Austin and Austin Parks and Recreation. Every year, ACL Fest remediates any areas of Zilker Park that need repair following the festival, and this year will be no different. Over the years, ACL Fest and Austin Parks Foundation have also invested millions to build, improve, and maintain the great lawn. ACL Fest has called Zilker Park home for 25 years and we have always been proud stewards of the space.
We reached out for an updated statement but haven’t heard back.