Park and Trail Related News from the City of Austin

The Austin Parks Foundation is an independent non-profit. We are not affiliated with or funded by any city department. This page is dedicated to the projects and successes of our friends at the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), the Public Works Bicycle and Pedestrian Program and other City and County entities.

New Parks News Site

For park information straight from the horse's mouth, visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/park_news.cfm

Onion Creek Greenbelt Project Announced

Travis County officials expect work to begin in about eight months on the first phase of a 21-mile greenbelt project along Onion Creek. The proposed greenway eventually will connect 15 existing and proposed county, city and state parks in southeastern Travis County with a series of hike-and-bike trails. The greenbelt could eventually include Roy Kizer and Jimmy Clay golf courses, McKinney Falls State Park and a new state campus that may be built along the creek at Texas 130.

Phase one of the project is a three-mile section of the creek on both sides of Texas 130 and between Texas 71 and FM 973. Plans call for trails, a kayak launch, a fishing pond, a wildlife viewing area, a meadow for open play, a pavilion and restoration with native grass and trees. The first phase should be complete in about two years.

Travis County voters in 2005 approved $8.6 million in bonds to buy land and develop open space parkland along Onion Creek. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission also awarded a $1 million grant to Travis County, which will match the grant with $1 million to pay for construction of the first phase of the greenbelt project.

Guerrero-Colorado River Park Phase 1 Contract Approved - 8/2009

A contractor has been chosen for the Guerrero Park Phase 1 project and a date for the start of construction will be announced soon. The base scope of work includes extensive picnic, playscape, shelters and the Roy Guerrero Memorial, the Great Lawn, additional parking as well as restoration of portions of Country Club Creek. More details as we hear about them.

Waller Creek Tunnel Project Information Available On-Line

The Waller Creek Tunnel Project is a proposed underground storm water bypass tunnel from Waterloo Park to Lady Bird Lake near Waller Beach. The tunnel will be 22-feet in diameter and almost one mile long. The project is expected to remove an estimated 1,243,000 square feet of land from the floodplain of the lower Waller Creek watershed, will allow denser development in a very desirable area of downtown, and divert floodwaters that create erosion problems and safety concerns.

Austin Parks Foundation will be involved as an advocate for the best possible redesign of Waterloo Park and the outlet area. The city is maintaining a website dedicated to this project, including regular progress reports, at www.ci.austin.tx.us/wallercreek.

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