Forwarding our District 5 Council rep’s thoughts on the Zilker Park Vision
Plan.
Hope all enjoy a long, restful, and meaningful weekend!
Katy
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Council Member Ryan Alter <district5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, May 26, 2023 at 10:54
Subject: Zilker Vision Plan
To: <kaydeebugg@xxxxxxxxx>
CM Alter's Statement on ZVP
Zilker Vision Plan
Thank you for reaching out to me concerning the Zilker Vision Plan. I share
your passion for Zilker Park’s future. As a child, I played on the same
playground my children enjoy today, swam in areas now experiencing serious
erosion, and awed at productions at the Hillside Theatre. It’s this desire
to preserve the park not just for today, but for generations to come that
shapes how I will weigh this vision plan.
Before I talk about any specifics, I believe it is important to recognize
the importance of public input. It was public input concerning the Butler
Landfill that kickstarted the conversation of how we can improve Zilker
Park for everyone. Not everyone will use every element of the plan. Some
may never play soccer on the Great Lawn, enjoy a round of Frisbee golf,
take their dog to barking springs, or attend Blues on the Green, but that
doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t preserve these cherished elements of the
park. This is a plan for all of Austin. We must balance the needs of our
entire community and weigh the feedback we have received from everyone.
Now that the vision plan is being sent to Council, we have the opportunity
to weigh in. To date, the Council has not yet taken any action on the
substance of the plan. I have not voted in favor or against it. It is my
intention to consider all the elements critically. As I do, I want to share
with you a few thoughts about certain items in the plan:
-
Park Administration – The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) should
remain in control of Zilker Park. We will not sell or otherwise limit the
City’s ongoing stewardship of the park. Should our Parks and Recreation
Department recommend and the Council decide it is in the best interest of
the park and the public for the City to partner with non-profits for park
improvements – something that has been incredibly successful in Pease Park
and the Hike and Bike Trail – such a partnership should strictly adhere to
PARD’s requirements, including robust oversight, transparency, and PARD’s
ability to preserve control over the park.
-
Parking garages – My office has been exploring all options to locate new
garages outside the park and/or connect existing parking structures to the
park with effective transportation.
-
Barton Springs Road – I have deep concerns about reducing Barton Springs
Road from four lanes to two. The reality of our transportation needs for
this area would be hamstrung by this proposal.
It is also important to equally highlight the proposed enhancements to the
park, including erosion remediation for “barking springs,” new wildlands
instead of surface parking as part of the restoration of the Butler
landfill, reduced impervious cover, and new/more dispersed playgrounds.
These are just a few of the many items within the plan that I continue to
work through and consider. There is more work to be done, but I am
confident that our shared love of this park can allow for us to arrive at a
final product that preserves Zilker Metropolitan Park as a crown jewel of
Austin today, tomorrow, and for decades to come.
###
For any questions please reach out to Isabel Herrera (512)-978-2105
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Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter · 302 W 2nd St
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