REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MAY 19, 2026 – 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS 78752 Some members of the Parks and Recreation Board may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak, click here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/rVAVuTwSFq or call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974-6716, Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Stephanie Bazan (D-5), Chair Lane Becker (Mayor), Vice Chair Shelby Orme (D-1) Pedro Villalobos (D-2) Nicole Merritt (D-3) VACANT (D-4) Luai Abou-Emara (D-6) Diane Kearns-Osterweil (D-7) AGENDA Kim Taylor (D-8) Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Ted Eubanks (D-10) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of April 27, 2026. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for Austin Parks and Recreation staff members who worked to complete the delivery of four pools and two bathhouses: Colony Park Aquatic Facility; Givens Pool; Northwest Pool; Montopolis Pool; Parque Zaragoza Bathhouse; and, Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool. (Sponsors: Bazan, Becker) Presenter(s): Liana Kallivoka, Assistant Director and D’Anne Williams, Project Manager, Austin Parks and Recreation. 3. Approve an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Board seat on the Joint Sustainability Committee. (Sponsors: Bazan, Becker) Page 1 of 2 STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. 5. 6. 7. Staff briefing on named features in the Waller Creek District Confluence and Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park projects. (Sponsors: Bazan, Becker) Presenter(s): John Rigdon, Chief Planning and Design Officer, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. Staff briefing on Parks Safety. (Sponsors: Bazan, Merritt) Presenter(s): Amanda Ross, Natural Resources Division Manager, Austin Parks and Recreation and Michael Chancellor, Assistant Chief, Austin Police. Staff briefing on the Barton Springs Road bridge replacement project. (Sponsors: Bazan, Becker) Presenter(s): Eric Bailey, Deputy Director, Capital Delivery Services. Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department community engagement events, planning …
Waterloo Greenway Phase II: The Confluence and Palm Park Named Features May 19, 2026 Waterloo Greenway Partnership and Governance • The City’s relationship with the Conservancy was formalized in a 2014 Joint Development Agreement (JDA), which outlined roles and responsibilities for the partners and established the Waller Creek Local Government Corporation (LGC) as directed and authorized by Council, to govern the partnership and implement the Greenway program. • This body follows Boards & Commissions rules, meets publicly and contains 5 members appointed by the City and 5 appointed by the Conservancy. • The LGC authorizes scopes of work and City contracts toward the implementation of the projects within the City Council approved Design Plan and governs the District’s public use and operations. • • • • • Sponsoring Departments: Sponsoring Departments: • • • Community Leadership Community Leadership PARD & Watershed Protection APR & Watershed Protection • Operations & Maintenance • Operations & Maintenance • Code Compliance Code Compliance Public Health, Safety & Welfare Public Health, Safety & Welfare • Environmental Stewardship Environmental Stewardship • • • • Subject Matter Expertise Subject Matter Expertise • • Programming & Art Programming & Art Environmental Stewardship Environmental Stewardship • Design Excellence Design Excellence • 3 Waterloo Greenway Phase II Texas Capitol N Lady Bird Lake C E S A R C H A V E Z S T Pontoon Bridge Austin Convention Center Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Creek The Delta Confluence RAINEY ST D A V S S T I D R I S K I L L S T Palm School Palm Park 2 N D S T 3 R D S T 4 T H S T 5 T H S T 6 T H S T 7 T H S T 8 T H S T 9 T H S T 1 0 T H S T 1 1 T H S T 1 2 T H S T Moody Amphitheater 1 5 T H S T SAN JACINTO BLVD Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Special Events Center TRINITY ST NECHES ST RED RIVER ST SABINE ST Red River Cultural District The Refuge IH-35 Waterloo Park Dell Seton Medical Center Dell Medical School at the University of Texas Central Health Brackenridge Redevelopment Site Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Special Events Center Symphony Square Waterloo Greenway Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 4 Waterloo Greenway Naming Authority • The …
Parks Safety Briefing Austin Parks and Recreation & Austin Police May 19, 2026 AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEM OVERVIEW 2026 20,041 Acres of Green Space 269 Miles of Trail 355 Parks Playgrounds, Venues & Other Spaces 2 TIMELINE AUSTIN PARK RANGERS AND POLICE 1968 2008 2021 First Park Rangers and grew to 10 commissioned peace officers under Austin Parks and Recreation (APR). Park Police consolidated from APR into the Austin Police Department (APD). APD Park Police units officially transitioned to General Police Patrol. 1985-1993 Renamed Park Police; expanded duties with Federal Park Ranger certification. 2008 Park Ranger Program established as ambassadors within APR and partners to APD. 3 PARK RANGER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Visible Presence: Hike and bike patrols. Responsible Recreation: Stewardship messaging. Visitor Support: Information and guidance. Responsive Service: Addressing park needs. Targeted Education: High-impact outreach to areas of need. 4 PARK RANGERS OPERATIONS 23 Park Rangers 7 Days/Week Zone System Directed Patrols 5 PARK RANGER DATA COLLECTION 6 PARK RANGER CONTACTS FOR DOGS OFF LEASH HEAT MAP 2021-2026 7 APD & APR PARTNERSHIP AND SHARED MESSAGING APD oversees all Public Safety as it relates to illegal activity. APD & APR Meeting Agreement Take, Lock, Hide Messaging Security Cameras Joint Operations Pilot Spring 2026 8 PARKS & RECREATION PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT Infrastructure Recommendations: Signage, Security Cameras, Limestone Blocks Focused Programming in Areas of Concern: Bark Rangers, Pop-up Events Park Ranger Joint Efforts with Partners including Austin Police Voluntary Compliance Through Contact With Park Rangers Parking Tickets and Warnings for Violations Third-Party Safety Audit 5/15/20 26 Public Safety In Parks 9 9 APR Security Audit: Strategy and Road Map Findings: • Property Crime: 80% of reported incidents larceny or motor vehicle thefts. • Rule Violations: Pet and alcohol violations most frequent • Physical Security Gaps: Lighting and visibility blind spots create vulnerabilities. Recommendations: • Governance: Centralize safety roles and standardize security protocols. • Activation: Through collaboration with APD and site activation to discourage bad behavior. • Infrastructure: Implement crime prevention through environmental design evaluations and standards including lighting improvements. 10 APR SECURITY AUDIT TRANSITION ROADMAP YEAR 1: GOVERNANCE Security Manager APR-wide guidelines Audit facilities Improve partnerships YEAR 2: OPERATIONS Adopt safety design standards Staff de-escalation training Facility access control recommendations 11 Austin Police Department Public Safety Response in City …
Parks Board – Barton Springs Rd. Bridge Update May 19, 2026 Eric Bailey, P.E. – Deputy Director Capital Delivery Services Barton Springs Road Bridge 100years old built in 1926 1946 Bridge Expansion 20,000 Vehicles per day Key Entrance to Zilker Park and for Major City Events FUNDING SOURCE: • Preliminary Design: 2012, 2018 and 2020 Bonds • Design: 2020 Bond • Construction: FHWA/City 2 Project Development Process - PRELIMINARY PHASE 2015 - 2023 - DESIGN PHASE 2024 - 2027 - CONSTRUCTION PHASE 2027 - 2029 PUBLIC MEETING April 2023 RESPOND TO COMMENTS Summer 2023 REFINE REPORT Fall 2023 COUNCIL ACTION December 2023 60% DESIGN + NEPA PUBLIC MEETINGS + BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS FINAL DESIGN AND PERMITTING BID AND AWARD + COUNCIL ACTION CONSTRUCTION WE ARE HERE Current Condition Spalling Concrete in Bridge Structure Concrete Cores Delamination of Beams Curb And Railing Do Not Meet Current ADA Standards Load Restricted As Of November 2023 – Heavy Vehicles Moving Eastbound Must Use Outer Lanes 4 Analysis Structural and Mobility Analysis: • • • • External Structure - Spalling Concrete • ADA compliance – Pedestrian Circulation Internal Structure – Deteriorating Steel Geotechnical Data –Replacement Design • Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility – no improvement to existing condition Cost/Benefit Analysis – extended life vs. cost Historical Analysis: • Coordinated with US Army Corps (USACE) and Texas Historic Commission (THC) • The bridge is a contributing feature to the Zilker Park National Register of Historic Places District (1997) • The Texas Historic Commission has approved potentially fully replacing the bridge. As the process continues, the final design will be reviewed and approved by USACE and THC. • Additional analysis is underway as a part of the NEPA process 5 Project Options 6 Bridge Rehabilitation Bridge Structure Rehabilitation 1 Remove Existing Bridge Deck and Spandrel Columns 2 Remaining Portion of Existing Structure 3 New Components: Exterior Pairs of Arch Ribs, Spandrel Columns, Deck, and Abutment Extensions Less than half of the original structure will remain Remaining structure will require refacing with new material surfaces View of old arches will be mostly blocked by new structure 7 City Council Actions 1 Direction from Council in 2020 Bond Resolution (20200812-011): 2 Previous Council Action/Hearings: 11/30/23 – Council conducts a public hearing to recommend the bridge replacement alternative 12/12/23 – Council work session on the recommended option 12/14/23 – Council conducts a public hearing and directs Staff to …
