AUSTIN, Texas — Next month, Austin Parks and Recreation will begin a project aiming to maintain and restore the historic stone retaining wall along the eastern edge of Barton Springs Pool.
The City of Austin says that work will begin on Sept. 8, and that the project will be completed in phases until early 2027. Barton Springs Pool will maintain normal hours of operation during the project.
The retaining wall was built in 1917, and contributes to Zilker Park’s designation as a Historic District under the National Register of Historic Places. The City says that five sections of the wall are “showing signs of structural failure” due to vegetation and tree growth adding pressure to the wall over the years.
ALSO | Austin metro area ranks 9th on list of 2026 Best U.S. Cities for Work
The project will include the removal of the plants and trees compromising the wall’s stability, completion of an engineering assessment, and structural repairs to the retaining wall, according to the City.
In total, 37 trees will be removed from around the retaining wall, including 26 hackberry trees, five American elm trees, one ligustrum, three mulberry trees and two pecan trees. The City says that trees will not be replanted in the area following the repairs to avoid future impacts to the retaining wall.
The City says that the repair work will be fenced off for safety, and will not impact any pool operations.