AUSTIN, Texas — Last week, when CBS Austin went out to the ACL grounds, it was covered in mud, but now, it seems to be drying out.
We spoke with some festivalgoers about the current condition of the grounds and what they have noticed after two weekends of music, rain, and heavy foot traffic.
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We spoke with some festivalgoers about the current condition of the grounds and what they have noticed after two weekends of music, rain, and heavy foot traffic. (CBS Austin/Jane Page)
For people who attended ACL Weekend One, the change was noticeable.
Last weekend, rain created large pools of mud across Zilker Park that worsened as the weekend went on.
“I came in not really expecting it to be as bad,” ACL festivalgoer, Ethan McConnell, said. “But the mud was very much, very bad and I was just slipping and sliding all throughout.”
Last weekend, rain created large pools of mud across Zilker Park that worsened as the weekend went on. (CBS Austin/Jane Page)
ACL crews worked tirelessly in the last week to smooth out ruts, tend to the grass, and place down artificial turf in high-traffic sections of the Great Lawn.
While this weekend’s drier conditions caused their own problems, some festivalgoers we spoke with today were glad to see the change.
“I’m extremely grateful and thankful that we’re getting the kind of conditions that we do have here right now,” ACL festicalgoer, Dorian Powell, said. “I just got dust in my eye a few minutes ago, so, you know, it’s not perfect. But I can only imagine just how rough it was last week”
While this weekend’s drier conditions caused their own problems, some festivalgoers we spoke with today were glad to see the change. (CBS Austin/Jane Page)
Ana and Vannia Lopez came from out of state for ACL, and said they were worried about the mud after hearing about last week’s conditions.
They told me they would definitely take the heat and dust over humidity and mud.
“We’re used to the heat, we’re from Arizona,” Ana said. “So we’re used to the heat. It’s really hot, but it’s good, we like it.”
“To me, I feel like it depends to every single person,” Vannia said. “But to me, I do get allergies and stuff like that because of the dust. I’ve been getting some, but it’s nice, honestly. As long as you have a bandana, it’s totally fine.”
For people who attended ACL Weekend One, the change was noticeable. (CBS Austin/Jane Page)
City leaders have said some parts of the Great Lawn will be closed following the festival so the grass can recover from the heavy foot traffic both weekends.
The conditions last weekend got so bad, city leaders, such as District 5 Councilmember Ryan Alter, called on ACL organizing company C3 Presents to lay out its plan to restore Zilker Park after the festival concluded.
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The next focus will be cleanup and any repairs needed to get the Great Lawn ready for Austinites to enjoy again. (CBS Austin/Jane Page)
C3 Presents is fiscally responsible for cleanup under the agreement it made with the City of Austin.
With ACL now wrapping up, the work at Zilker Park is not over.
The next focus will be cleanup and any repairs needed to get the Great Lawn ready for Austinites to enjoy again.