Special Called Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board - Special Called meeting will be held at the Permitting and Development Center located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752
Herlinda Zamora, Culture & Arts Program Manager Parks & Recreation Department Mission Statement Austin Heritage Museums are a part of the Museums & Cultural Programs Division of PARD, which celebrates Austin’s unique stories within Texas. They share knowledge of Texas history through community engagement, collections management, and robust scholarship. Vision Austin Heritage Museums aim to be dynamic, trusted, and engaging storytellers, rooted in the material culture, landscape, and fabric of the City whose stories they tell. Objectives Austin Heritage Museums will accomplish this vision by expanding best practices in preserving our venerable places and their contents. We are telling stories that: Present a comprehensive, equitable, and accurate history of Austin Seek out and elevate diverse voices Encourage historical curiosity Incorporate both traditional and innovative storytelling techniques, including the interpretive power of artistic expression Engage all visitors and whenever possible, maximize opportunities to listen to them Provide a meaningful visitor experience and make Austin’s history relevant FY 2024 in Numbers 69,564 visitors across all sites 61 programs with 29,241 participants 281 Local artists were given places to show their work and sharpen their craft The Old Bakery & Emporium welcomed visitors from over 30 states and 20 different countries The 47th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off hit its highest-ever number of attendees with over 1200 guests 10th Annual Ney Day doubled attendance from last year with 500 guests 11,000 followers on social media and 3,500 email subscribers FY 2024 Museum Visitors Brush Square 16.5% 11,497 The Ney 26.4% 18,380 69,564 Total Visitors 39,687 Old Bakery 57.1% FY 2024 Museum Highlights The Old Bakery & Emporium completed an 18-month community engagement project with the Downtown Austin Alliance resulting in the first mural to be painted on the historic building, entitled “Generational Ties”. The mural was unveiled at the 3rd Annual Midsummer Festival A new program, Naturalist at the Ney, was developed based on public engagement in 2023 Brush Square has been focusing heavily on expanding education and outreach programming within the community Museum Highlights Cont. Through the ongoing grant with the International Sites of Conscience, the museums have worked closely with the Refugee Collective in Austin, and they increased their language offering to include Spanish tours and gallery guides in both Spanish and German OBE is partnering with AVAFest (Austin Veteran Arts Festival) on a new project to support veterans and youth with PTSD, as part of the ISOC grant The OBE artisan …
Austin Raza Round Table August 26, 2024 Chair Pedro Villalobos Parks and Recreation Board P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78701-1088 Dear Chair Villalobos and PARB Members: At least five car clubs have met at the Festival Beach parking lot just southwest of the Johnny Degollado Pavilion on Saturdays for most of the 20th and all of the 21st centuries so far. This area is known by the Mexican American community as Chicano Park. The car clubs share their love of their classic cars, many of which have been modified to be lowriders. Today, they continue to show their cars and barbecue at Chicano Park on weekends. Neighbors have fished off the existing dock, walked the accompanying trails, held family picnics, and held celebrations for events such as birthdays and weddings. Cinco de Mayo and Diez y Seis de Septiembre celebrations are held at the Johnny Degollado Pavilion. The Expedition School has operated for almost two decades at Festival Beach, first at the Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center and now at the boat ramp at the end of Nash Hernandez Street. The school offers educational programming, private events and public rentals. It operates as a for-profit concessionaire with a nonprofit component for its educational purposes. The school wants a new boating dock and storage facility on the lagoon down the slope from the parking lot these car clubs have used for many decades. The car club members are concerned that the traffic created by kayaking and stand-up paddle board rentals service will push them out of the park by taking up the limited parking area and grounds. Raza RoundTable of Austin supports the car clubs, East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association, and Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA) in their opposition to the dock. We believe that this will be the final step to push all local neighbors’ use of the park out not only of the Camacho Center but all of Chicano Park. We request that the City rescind the 2019 ordinance that granted the Expedition School the concession and not allow them expand. If you have questions about this issue, please contact our Co-Chair, Dr. Jane Rivera at janehrivera@austin.rr.com. Respectfully, Raza Round Table of Austin: 1 Susana Almanza Larry Amaro Daniel Baladez Dr. Paul Barton Skylar T. Bonilla Alejandro Caceres Ernesto Calderon Ruby Calderon Mario Cantu Remi Carbajal Marylou Castillo Ricardo A. Chavira Viola Cobos Dave Cortez Marta …
Dear Parks Board Members, 7/30/2024 We are requesting that the Parks Board recommend that City Council rescind the December 2019 Expedition School ordinance which without stakeholder notification or input went against the whole letter and spirit of the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon, Sr. Parks Master Plan, (Master Plan) by creating an unauthorized private enterprise in a public park. The Expedition School (TES) plans to construct a large dock in the Master Plan area of Festival Beach. TES is a for profit entity with a non-profit component. The group prospers by rentals and luxury adventure group consulting for substantial fees. TES began using the Camacho Activity Center in 2006. After taking over much of the activity center, TES decided to expand further in our park and even opened a facility in San Antonio. In 2019 a December City ordinance passed that circumvented stakeholder involvement and gave the TES the opportunity to use one end of a Festival Beach Lagoon for a large dock with storage buildings. Locals did not know of the ordinance until well after it had passed. Now TES is poised to move ahead, creating a park concession that is not and never has been part of the vetted Master Plan. In short, TES is responsible for the following breaches and oversights: · Blatant disrespect & disregard for community and stakeholders · Employing highly questionable possibly illegal methods to circumvent official processes · Misrepresenting the enterprise status as a 501C3 · Ignoring and bypassing environmental checks of the proposed expansion/dock · Overlooking the local mandate for a wild/tranquil park The above concerns cast doubt upon a positive outcome of any current or future TES project within the Master Plan area. Moreover, TES recently employed a lobbyist to represent them at city hearings which raises questions about their use of donor funds. Does the group deem itself too wealthy to meet stakeholders face to face? This questionable deal is the tip of the iceberg. In past months we’ve seen an erosion of the trust in city park administration, much of it surrounding the non-profits. A handful of non-profit businesses and enterprises are carving up our parks for their own interest—in the guise of providing vital services. It’s time to rethink how we interact with non- profit entities. Meanwhile, injustice is never a done deal. It’s not too late to rescind the shadowy TES ordinance amendment—which should never have passed. Let us …
Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 16:40:21 Central Daylight Time Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 16:40:21 Central Daylight Time Subject: Subject: Date: Date: From: From: Fw: Letter of Support Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 11:39:50 AM Central Daylight Time Kimery Duda To:To: Attachments: Outlook-horizontal.png, FINAL Exp School Support Letter 2023-10-30.docx Attachments: Katherine Nicely, Michele Rogerson Lynch [Outside Email] Kimery Duda Founder The Expedition School www.expeditionschool.com From: Diane Mackey <diane@austinadventurers.org> Sent: Monday, October 30, 2023 1:54 PM To: Kimery Duda <kimery@expeditionschool.com> Subject: Letter of Support Hi Kimery, Please find attached the letter for support of the Expedition School from the Adventurers Academy. If you need it to say more or anything different, please let me know. Good Luck! Diane 1 of 1 7106 Shadywood Drive, Austin TX, 78745 Tel 737-203-5494, Fax 1-888-300-6396 adventurers@austinadventurers.org www.austinadventurers.org Tax ID 45-4299243 Enriching lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Adventurers Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization October 30, 2023 Kimery Duda Expedition School Dear Kimery, The Adventurers Academy of Lifelong Learning is pleased to submit this letter in support of our partnership with the Expedition School as you seek to receive a grant for your organization. The Expedition School has been an excellent and valued partner since 2020 as the Adventurers Academy serves adults in the greater Austin area with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Academy’s mission is to help adults become more independent and connect with their community. The paddling instruction and experiences provided by the Expedition School enables them to access recreational resources of Lady Bird Lake, one of the central features of the Austin community, with confidence and safety. Adventurers really look forward to paddling and have gained confidence in their ability to learn new skills. Most of our families would not be able to afford the cost for their Adventurer to go paddling on a weekly basis without the generous donations and discounts provided to us by the Expedition School. If the Expedition School is awarded this grant, we would hope to build our partnership by adding a multi- day kayak Adventure to the paddling we get to do on a weekly basis! We are grateful for the Expedition School’s support of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and look forward to continuing our partnership! Sincerely, Diane Mackey Director, Adventurers Academy Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 19:17:01 Central Daylight Time Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 19:17:01 Central Daylight Time Subject: …
8/16/24, 8:26 PM Gmail - REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 David Kinsey <davidkinsey2011@gmail.com> REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 2 messages Holly NA <hollyneighborhoodassocation@193250530.mailchimpapp.com> Reply-To: hollyneighborhoodassocation@gmail.com To: davidkinsey2011@gmail.com Mon, Aug 12, 2024 at 7:13 PM View this email in your browser Holly Members, The board and development committee of The Holly Neighborhood Association has identified two development items in our neighborhood in which we would like to poll our members before taking a stance on the projects. As a non-profit seeking to represent our neighbors, we are asked time to time by various parties to express an opinion related to a development. In many cases we abstain, and instead do our best to share information with our members so that their inclinations can be expressed privately. However, we believe these two projects are impactful enough that taking a collective stance on the development would be beneficial to the residents of Holly. Below, we have a link to a quick survey and detail surrounding both projects - we’d love to get your feedback! Start Survey! EV Charging Stations Voltera conditional use permit appeal to City Council to allow for commercial electric vehicle charging stations https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=fa5d35766f&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:1807229135023140212&simpl=msg-f:180722913502314021… 1/5 8/16/24, 8:26 PM Gmail - REMINDER! Member Survey on Neighborhood Developments 🏡 HISTORY: EV charging company Voltera is seeking City Council support to build charging stations for commercial vehicles on their properties at 2711 E Cesar Chavez and 2730 E Cesar Chavez. In April, Voltera's initial application was denied by the Planning Commission, citing the lack of fit a charging station would have in our neighborhood, and resident opposition. The vote was 7-3-3, seven opposed, three in favor, and three abstaining. Following this ruling, Voltera initiated an appeal of the Planning Commission decision. CONSIDERATIONS: The Holly NA board has expressed concerns over the degree of fit a commercial charging port has in our neighborhood, the persistent on-site lighting and potential noise from the generators, the quoted/expected number of vehicles to pass through the site daily, the upkeep of the landscaping over time, and the small number of public charging spaces currently available. Here is a short presentation from Voltera on the proposed sites, and this link details a California project designed by Voltera for trucks (Cesar site for sprinter vans or smaller only). ADDITIONAL DETAIL: Following the Planning Commission hearing, Voltera has proposed changes to their project plans to include two public …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240826-4 August 26, 2024 Hays Common Municipal Utility District Application Date: Subject: Motioned By: Pedro Villalobos Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board recommends to Austin City Council to find that the Hays Common Municipal Utility District application is superior with respect to parkland dedication. Vote The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to find that the Hays Seconded By: Kathryn Flowers Common Municipal Utility District application is superior with respect to parkland dedication was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Member Taylor absent. Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Cathleen Eady, Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt, Shelby Orme, Holly Reed. Tim Dombeck, Board and Council Liaison, Parks and Recreation Department. None. None. Kim Taylor. For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: 1 of 1
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240826-3 Date: Subject: August 26, 2024 Expedition School Concession and Amendment to Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Vision Plan Seconded By: Nicole Merritt Motioned By: Holly Reed Whereas on Dec. 15, 2019, the Austin City Council passed Ordinance No. 20191205-070 to expedite authorization of a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake for the Expedition School1 Whereas Ordinance No. 20191205-070 was an unprecedented Council directive for a boating concession approval in that it waived the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74 (Review of a Proposal Seeking a Concession) by-passing review by the Parks Board, the Environmental Commission, Design Commission, and related public engagement process2 Whereas, by waiving the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74, Ordinance No. 20191205-070 may conflict with City Charter Article 2, Chapter 7, Section A3 Whereas Ordinance No. 20191205-070 authorized an amendment to the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan without notification to the community and public stakeholders4 Whereas community stakeholders have significant issues with a large boating concession that was not part of the original Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan and have expressed to the Parks and Recreation Board their difficulty in having their issues addressed in the current process5 Whereas the City of Austin and State of Texas recognize the Mexican American heritage, cultural and historical significance of the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Whereas the Parks and Recreation Dept. has not amended the Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan to indicate the location of the Expedition School boating concession, as directed by Ordinance No. 20191205-070 over four years ago 1 Ordinance No. 20191205-070 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=333264 2 City Code 8-1-74 3 Section 7 Powers of the Council 4 Holly Shores / Edward Rendon Sr. Master Plan 5 Open Letter In Opposition RE: Permit and Concession for Expedition School et al, Opposition Letter 1 of 3 Whereas PARD staff, working with the Expedition School, but not the community stakeholders, identified a long-term location at Edward Rendon Senior Park Festival Beach Lagoon west end for the operation of the watercraft concession, in conflict with the Master Plan6 Whereas in Dec. 2022, the Assistant City Manager approved Contract Terms and a Parkland Improvement Donation Agreement for the Expedition School Boating Concession, including an interim two-year period during which the vendor was required to meet specific development and fundraising benchmarks7 Whereas the Contract Terms …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on August 26, 2024 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Cathleen Eady, Jennifer Franklin, Shelby Orme, Nicole Merritt. Board Members Absent: Kim Taylor. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Scott Cobb - Barton Springs Lifeguard Joel Manzo - ATX Towing Issued Elisa Rendon Montoya - Park maintenance issues Bertha Rendon Delgado - Town Lake boat races APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of July 22, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of July 22, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Board Member Reed’s second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Bord Member Taylor absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for staff and programming at the Old Bakery and Emporium, Brush Square Museum and the Elisabet Ney Museum. Herlinda Zamora, Cultural & Arts Education Manager, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation. The motion to approve letters of support for staff and programming at the Old Bakery and Emporium, Brush Square Museum and the Elisabet Ney Museum was approved on Vice Chair Flowers’ motion, Chair Villalobos’ second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Member Taylor absent. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2024 3. Discussion and approve a recommendation related to City Ordinance No. 20191205-070 that authorized, on an expedited basis, a concession for The Expedition School, waiving the requirements of City Code Section 8-1-74 (Review of a Proposal Seeking a Concession) and an amendment to the Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Vision Plan. Board members discussed the intention of the ordinance, the Parks Board's role in reviewing these types of concessions, the Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Park Vision Plan, proposed amendments to the vision plan, and the volume of rentals at similar watercraft concessions. The motion to approve the recommendation as posted in backup was made on Board Member Reed, seconded by Board Member Merritt. Chair Villalobos made a motion …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD JULY 22, 2024 – 6:00 PM CITY HALL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Parks and Recreation Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. For remote participation, registration must be completed no later than noon the day before the meeting. To register to speak, click here: https://forms.office.com/g/3Uyvu0e2qf or call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974- 6716, Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and may be allowed up to three (3) minutes to provide their comments. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Pedro Villalobos (D-2), Chair Kathryn Flowers (D-4), Vice Chair Shelby Orme (D-1) Nicole Merritt (D-3) Stephanie Bazan (D-5) Cathleen Eady (D-6) VACANT (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Holly Reed (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA 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 June 17, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for community members and active participation in community engagement for the playscape replacement at Metz Neighborhood Park. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Operational Efficiency, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): Reynaldo Hernandez, Project Manager and Jonathan Haynes, Program Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Department. Approve the Parks and Recreation board Annual Internal Review and Report. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department Community PARKnership Program. (Sponsors: Reed, Taylor). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Operational Efficiency, Urban Public Spaces). Presenter(s): Christine Chute Canul, Program Manager II, Parks and Recreation Department. Page 1 of 2 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Staff briefing on progress of the Festival Beach Soundwall and pedestrian improvements. (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): JT Stewart, Senior Planner, Parks and Recreation Department. Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department community engagement events, planning updates, development updates, maintenance updates, program updates and administrative updates. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces, Park Access …
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Community PARKnerships Program Christine Chute Canul, Community PARKnerships Manager I City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Park Planning Division Community PARKnerships Briefing Overview PARKnerships Program Briefing Includes: Does Not Include: • Programs and Initiatives Overview • Alignment with City and Department • Lease, Usage and License Agreements Goals • PARD PARKners • PARKnership Configurations and Collaborative Partnership Agreements • Program Impact • Contractual Obligation and Service Agreements • Concession Contracts Community PARKnerships |Encompasses the Following Programs & Initiatives Environmental Volunteer Stewardship Community Activated Park Projects Program (CAPP) Adopt-A-Park Program Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) School Parks | AISD JUA PARD PARKners Environmental Stewardship Volunteers on City parkland annually provide over $1 million in labor—they pick up litter, mulch trees, remove invasive species, plant saplings, serve as citizen scientists, and more. Partners facilitate stewardship events that are aligned with City standards for safety and environmental compliance. PARD reviews these events and provides guidance on all projects proposed on parkland. • Over 11,900 volunteers worked more than 31,000 hours in FY23 • FY23 volunteers planted over 1,400 trees and collected over 82,000 lbs. of trash Adopt-A-Park This collaboration between PARD and the Austin Parks Foundation (APF) helps community members become stewards and civic leaders. Leaders organize a community- based group that makes an ongoing commitment to engage their neighborhood around park related issues. Adopt-A-Park aims to build community agency and ownership around every neighborhood park in Austin. • 108 parks had adopters in FY23 • An additional 106 eligible parks (district, neighborhood, and pocket) were not adopted Adopt-A-Park group volunteering with It’s My Park Day at St. John Pocket Park, District 4 Community Activated Park Project (CAPP) Program The CAPP Program streamlines a proposal and implementation process for our nonprofit partners and community members seeking to initiate, engage, plan, design and implement improvements on parkland. • 133 CAPP proposals received in FY23 • 549 CAPP proposals received since program launch in 2018 Lighting at Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss Skatepark, District 9 Examples of CAPPs, FY23 Lighting at Davis White Neighborhood Park, District 1 Bike polo facilities at Metz Neighborhood Park, District 3 Basketball court resurfacing at Dove Springs (pictured) & Garrison District Parks, District 2 Community Activated Park Project Program Feasibility Review Submission Review Site Visit Approval or Denial Proposing community member completes form with project description. CAPP coordinator routes proposal for …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD JULY 22, 2024 – 6:00 PM CITY HALL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Parks and Recreation Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. For remote participation, registration must be completed no later than noon the day before the meeting. To register to speak, click here: https://forms.office.com/g/3Uyvu0e2qf or call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974- 6716, Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and may be allowed up to three (3) minutes to provide their comments. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Pedro Villalobos (D-2), Chair Kathryn Flowers (D-4), Vice Chair Shelby Orme (D-1) Nicole Merritt (D-3) Stephanie Bazan (D-5) Cathleen Eady (D-6) VACANT (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Holly Reed (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) AGENDA ADDENDUM DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year-round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). DISCUSSION ITEMS 8. Discussion on community engagement opportunities for the permanent location for boating concessions at Festival Beach and the amendment to the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Sr. at Festival Beach Vision Plan to include that location, per City Council Ordinance No. 20191205- 070. (Sponsors: Reed, Taylor). The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Tim Dombeck at Parks and Recreation Department, at (512) 974-6716 Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Parks and Recreation Board, please contact Tim Dombeck at (512) 974-6716 Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. Page 1
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a SPECIAL CALLED meeting on June 17, 2024 at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Jennifer Franklin, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Nicole Merritt, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. Board Members Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Sharon Blythe - Cemetery advocate Scott Cobb - Lifeguard hiring Andrea Hill - Lifeguard hiring and chain of command issues Chris Flores - Violet Crown and Barton Springs Pool Joy Casnovsky - Austin Parks Foundation Elisa Rendon Montoya - Holly Shores concerns Bertha Rendon Delgado - Edward Rendon Holly Shores Master Plan Frank Estrada - Possible renaming of Camacho Activity Center Phillip Thomas - Edward Rendon Sr. Park and Holly Shores concerns Ricardo Chavana - Hispanic Baseball League APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of May 20, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of May 20, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flower’s second on a 9-0 vote with two vacancies. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program. 2. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 Jason Walker, Cemeteries Division Manager and Lucas Massie, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on private organizations doing interments. The motion to approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program was approved on Chair Villalobos' motion, Board Member Reed’s second on a 9-0 vote with two vacancies. 3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead project that includes a maximum amount of funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost to construct the project. D'Anne Williams, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department and Kathy Miller, CEO, Hill Country Conservancy gave a presentation and answered questions on …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Metz Playground Replacement Recognition Parks and Recreation Board, July 22, 2024 Reynaldo Hernandez Jr, PLA, PMP, Park Development Jonathan Haynes, Supervisor, Rudy Mendez Recreation Center Seth Conway, Activity Specialist, Rudy Mendez Recreation Center Background • Council District 3 • Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center built in 1972 and renovated in 2006. • Existing playscape installed in 2001 • PARD through the playground condition assessment identified this playground to be in poor condition and prioritized for replacement Background cont. Project Goals: • Replace existing playscape to provide enhanced opportunities for play within existing playground area • Increase shade in and around the playscape • Increase accessibility per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Engage community on play opportunities, theming and nature- based play elements Community Engagement • ROUND #1 (May 23- June 17): • Gathered over 100 responses from online survey and Mendez Rec. Kid's survey • ROUND #2 (July 1 – July 19): • Launched second survey with 45 Mendez Rec. Campers Recognition How can we help?! • Mendez After School Program • Scarlett and Ayden • Mr. Seth • Metz Playscape community engagement survey served as inspiration Creating Community & Opportunity Incorporating planning strategies can be fun! This project created youth opportunities to: • Plan, do, review • Interact and share ideas • Collaborate • Activate Youth Choice • Amplify Youth Voice Round # 1 Engagement Results • 72 paper surveys completed. • 31 online survey responses • Results determined ranked theming and preferred play features Project Participants • PARD Development • Reynaldo Hernandez, PLA, PMP • Katie Kimball, Landscape Designer • Mendez Recreation Center Staff • Jonathon Haynes, Supervisor • Seth Conway, Activity Specialist • PARD Communications and • Mendez Recreation Center Engagement Unit • Adrienne O'Keefe, Community Engagement Specialist Participant Leaders • Scarlett Reyes • Ayden Delgado Questions?
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Sound Wall at Festival Beach Staff Briefing Parks and Recreation Board, July 22nd, 2024 JT Stewart, Planner Sr., Parks and Recreation Department Project Progress Summary • First briefed Parks Board on January 22nd, 2024 • Previous Department Director Kimberly McNeeley accepted sound wall offer from Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in February 2024 • PARD Planning staff met w/ Transportation and Public Works (TPW), CapMetro, Urban Trails, and community stakeholders to gather feedback on necessary and desired amenities related to the wall • TPW developed concept sketch (slide 6) and reviewed with stakeholders. Concept included: • ADA ramps • Crosswalks • Curb bulb-out • Water fountain • Irrigation • TxDOT reviewed and responded with modified concept map (slide 7) Traffic Noise Analysis Results 2 Barriers (north barrier removed) 3 Barriers Festival Beach Food Forest and Festival Beach Community Garden Original Concept Festival Beach Food Forest and Festival Beach Community Garden Add drinking fountain. Include SUP connection to Flores/ Waller intersection for access to ADA crossings. Show existing sidewalk that connects IH 35 frontage to Waller (constructed 2023). Show new curb line. Can reduce FOC to FOC on Flores to 24' with bulbout to make space for ramps without moving poles. Corner radii should be 10' to match existing. 0.63 ft 24 ft Add irrigation meter at each sound wall. Include ADA ramps for crossing Flores and Waller. Appears the existing MH can remain, verify if adjustment is needed from SUP slab Existing guy wires will need to be adjusted. Can reduce FOC to FOC on Flores to 24' with bulbout to make space for ramps without moving poles. Corner radii should be 10' to match existing. Show existing sidewalk that connects IH 35 frontage to Waller (constructed 2023). Show new curb line. Add irrigation meter at each sound wall (on the side of IH-35) 0.63 ft 2244fftt Add drinking fountain. LOCATION IS IN CONFLICT WITH ILLUMINATION MOVE TO PINK STAR Include SUP connection to Flores/Waller intersection for access to ADA crossings. Add irrigation meter at each sound wall City/PARD's proposed meter locations are too close to noise walls, AW will likely not approve. Please confirm. In addition, meter at north of Flores is within Critical Root Zone. City Markups GEC Remarks Pape Dawson Coordination with AW IF THIS CHANGE PLACES THE WL IN CURB/GUTTER, IT WOULD BE AN ISSUE FOR AW Include ADA ramps for …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION YYYYMMDD-XXX Seconded By: Additional Funding for Maintenance and Homeless Response Date: Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board Recommends that Austin City Council allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year- round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. Rationale: Whereas, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) plays a critical role in maintaining the city's parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities, contributing to the overall quality of life and well-being of Austin residents; and Whereas, the demand for park maintenance has increased significantly due to the growing population and the increased use of park facilities, necessitating additional resources to ensure these spaces are safe, clean, and accessible to all residents; and Whereas, the Parks and Recreation Department is currently underfunded, limiting its ability to adequately maintain park facilities, leading to deteriorating conditions and reduced enjoyment for the community; and Whereas, the Homeless Encampment Response Team (HERT) provides essential services by addressing the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness within parks and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of these public spaces for all users; and Whereas, the HERT requires additional funding to effectively manage and respond to homeless encampments, ensuring that all park users, including those experiencing homelessness, receive the support and services they need; Therefore, be it resolved, that the Austin City Council is hereby recommended to allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and Be it further resolved, that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year-round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and 1 of 2 Be it further resolved, that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] 2 of …
Page 1 of 8 Annual Review and Work Plan 2024 Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 Parks and Recreation Board The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: (A) The Parks and Recreation Board membership should include citizens of the city who are interested in public parks and public recreation and persons who are knowledgeable in recreation matters. The director of the Parks and Recreation Department, the city manager or designee, the director of the Financial and Administrative Services Department, and the city attorney are ex officio members of the board. (B) The board shall advise the city council and the city manager regarding: (1)the acquisition, development, improvement, equipment, programming, and maintenance of all land and facilities managed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Austin; (2)the purchase of additional land to be managed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Austin. (C) The board shall outline a general plan of development for land, facilities, and programs. The board may submit the plan to the Planning Commission and the city manager for detail development, and the city manager may then submit the plan to the city council for approval as may be required by the City Code. (D) The board shall promote close cooperation between the City and all private citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting recreational activities, so that all recreational resources within the City may be coordinated to secure the greatest public welfare. (E) The board shall perform other duties as prescribed by the City Code or as directed by the city council. Source: The Code of the City of Austin, Texas § 2-1-165 – Parks and Recreation Board Page 2 of 8 Annual Review and Work Plan 2024 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board has three areas of responsibility in its advisory function to the City Council. The activities this board took for fiscal year 2023-2024 are listed by area below. Unless otherwise noted, all recommendation were adopted at a meeting of the whole Parks and Recreation Board. A. The board shall advise the city council and the city manager regarding: (1) the acquisition, development, improvement, equipment, programming, …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S UPDATE DATE: July 2024 DEVELOPMENT UPDATES: Highland Neighborhood Park and Reznicek Fields: On July 19th, the Department hosted a ribbon- cutting event for the Highland Neighborhood Park and Reznicek Fields Phase 2 Development. This project included two 125’ kickball fields, park lighting, a loop walking trail, benches, a new drinking fountain, a new parking lot, utilities for a future restroom/community building, a new site irrigation system, and 45 additional trees. In late 2024, a pedestrian bridge will be installed over Waller Creek, connecting to the natural surface trail along Waller Creek. The park is now re-opened to the public. This project was funded through the 2018 General Obligation Bond, Parkland Dedication Funding, and was awarded an Urban Forestry Grant through the City of Austin Development Services for the planting of 25 additional trees. The Highland Park Neighborhood Association also successfully applied for an Austin Parks Foundation grant for supplemental improvements, including a drinking fountain and a pedestrian bridge to be installed later. District 4 1 New ball fields and bleachers at Highland Neighborhood Park and Reznicek Fields Rainey Street Trailhead: The Trail Conservancy (TTC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 12th to celebrate the completion of the Rainey Street Trailhead project. This approximately 2-acre trailhead and park space includes multiple shaded seating areas, a new neighborhood lawn, a nature play area, a water access point, and protects the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail by adding new native restoration areas designed to prevent runoff and erosion from Rainey Street to Lady Bird Lake. Over 7,000 native plants and 130 new shade trees were planted in the restoration areas along with native grass and wildflower seeding. It also adds an ADA-accessible connection from the Rainey Street district to the trail, and components for increased safety, including lighting, signage, and wayfinding. This project was funded by The Trail Conservancy with support from Intracorp. A separate project focused on safety enhancements for the trail, as detailed in a 2023 memo, is in progress. The security camera was installed in November 2023, and new trail lighting, a sidewalk extension on East Avenue, and extensions to the split rail fence installed last year are expected to be completed by the end of the summer. District 9 Aerial view of the new Rainey Street Trailhead 2 2018 General Obligation Bond Program Proposition C - Parks and Recreation ($149 million) Update: The …
Minutes for the first meeting of the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board’s Baseball Field Working Group June 19, 2024 Participants: Lane Becker (PARB board member), Stephanie Bazan (PARB board member), Tyler Sneed (Austin Sandlot Baseball), Joel Manzo (Austin Sandlot Baseball) Introduction of Current WG Members ● Tyler Sneed is a Sandlot Baseball member who handles scheduling duties for the Austin Sandlot group, interfaces with the city. ● Joel Manzo is a baseball advocate involved with Sandlot men's league, focusing on accessibility and space for community baseball. ● Lane Becker is a Parks Board member. ● Stephanie Bazan is a Parks Board member who was involved in dealing with similar issues regarding soccer fields earlier this year. Overview of Agenda for Today's Meeting ● Lane Becker outlines the agenda: What, when, and who regarding baseball fields. Topics include meeting cadence and specific subjects to cover. ● Lane Becker discusses the timeline for group output and meeting cadence, including consideration of additional participants in the Working Group as well as potential featured speakers. ● Stephanie Bazan is asked to share her experience about what makes a Working Group effective from her previous experience with the Zilker Park Bathhouse Working Group. Discussion on Agenda Overview ● Lane Becker suggests discussing potential recommendations and reports that could result from the Working Group. ● Stephanie Bazan agrees to share details on structuring a successful Working Group, including identifying key members who can consistently participate in meetings. ● Stephanie Bazan explains the process of selecting key Working Group members, including using meetings with special guests to address specific questions. ○ In her previous Working Group, weekly meetings with special guests were used to quickly progress tasks. ○ Special guests provided insights at the start of each meeting before leaving and helped answer key questions for the Working Group. Topics to Cover ● Team members offered up potential topics for discussion by the Working Group. Topics mentioned were: ○ Up-to-date contact info for any field not fully under PARD control, which includes every field except for Govalle; ○ Public, available in advance calendar for every baseball field in Austin; ○ Sensible field allocation, where adults play on fields that can support adult ball, kids play on fields that can support kids ball; ○ Sensible field hours, ensuring keep the fields that can be open later, especially during summer; ○ Maintenance of the fields and how …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240722-7 July 22, 2024 Seconded By: Kathryn Flowers Additional Funding for Maintenance and Homeless Response Date: Subject: Motioned By: Pedro Villalobos Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board Recommends that Austin City Council allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year-round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. Rationale: Whereas, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is responsible for maintaining the city's parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities, contributing to the overall quality of life and well-being of Austin residents; and Whereas, the demand for park maintenance has increased significantly due to the growing population and the increased use of park facilities, necessitating additional resources to ensure these spaces are safe, clean, and accessible to all residents; and Whereas, the Parks and Recreation Department is currently underfunded, limiting its ability to adequately maintain park facilities, leading to deteriorating conditions and reduced enjoyment for the community; and Whereas, the Homeless Encampment Response Team (HERT) provides essential services by addressing the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness within parks and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of these public spaces for all users; and Whereas, the HERT requires additional funding to effectively manage and respond to homeless encampments, ensuring that all park users, including those experiencing homelessness, receive the support and services they need; Therefore, be it resolved, that the Austin City Council is hereby recommended to allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and Be it further resolved, that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year-round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and 1 of 2 Be it further resolved, that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. The motion to recommend that Austin City Council allocate an …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240722-7 July 22, 2024 Seconded By: Kathryn Flowers Additional Funding for Maintenance and Homeless Response Date: Subject: Motioned By: Pedro Villalobos Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board Recommends that Austin City Council allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year-round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. Rationale: Whereas, the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is responsible for maintaining the city's parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities, contributing to the overall quality of life and well-being of Austin residents; and Whereas, the demand for park maintenance has increased significantly due to the growing population and the increased use of park facilities, necessitating additional resources to ensure these spaces are safe, clean, and accessible to all residents; and Whereas, the Parks and Recreation Department is currently underfunded, limiting its ability to adequately maintain park facilities, leading to deteriorating conditions and reduced enjoyment for the community; and Whereas, the Homeless Encampment Response Team (HERT) provides essential services by addressing the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness within parks and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of these public spaces for all users; and Whereas, the HERT requires additional funding to effectively manage and respond to homeless encampments, ensuring that all park users, including those experiencing homelessness, receive the support and services they need; Therefore, be it resolved, that the Austin City Council is hereby recommended to allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year; and Be it further resolved, that of this amount, $2.24 million be allocated towards parks maintenance, including $1.5 million in ongoing funding and $740,000 in one-time funding, to support 16 year-round full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and necessary supplies; and 1 of 2 Be it further resolved, that $385,000 be allocated towards the Homeless Encampment Response Team, including $375,000 in ongoing funding and $10,000 in one-time funding, to support 4 year-round FTE positions, operations, and necessary supplies. The motion to recommend that Austin City Council allocate an …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JULY 22, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JULY 22, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on July 22, 2024 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Cathleen Eady, Jennifer Franklin, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Nicole Merritt. Board Members Absent: Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Nicole Netherton - Pease Park Conservancy Claire Krebs - Festival Beach Community Garden Grace Gilker - Festival Beach Food Forest Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Santiago Tza-Wan - Historic pecan grove at Festival Beach Scott Cobb - Barton Springs Lifeguard Gail Rothe - PARD PARKnership Program Chris Flores - PARD PARKnership Program Bertha Delgado Rendon - East Town Lake Citizen Neighborhood Association Elisa Montoya - East Town Lake Citizen Neighborhood Association APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of June 17, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of June 17, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second on a 7-0 vote with one vacancy. Bord Member Eady abstaining. Board Members Orme and Taylor absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for community members and active participation in community engagement for the playscape replacement at Metz Neighborhood Park. Reynaldo Hernandez, Project Manager, Jonathan Haynes, Program Supervisor and Seth Conway, Activity Specialist, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JULY 22, 2024 The motion to approve letters of support for community members and active participation in community engagement for the playscape replacement at Metz Neighborhood Park was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second, on an 8-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Members Orme and Taylor absent. 3. Approve the Parks and Recreation Board Annual Internal Review and Report. Board Members discussed this item. The motion to approve the Parks and Recreation Board Annual Internal Review and Report was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second on a 7-0 vote with one vacancy. Bord Member Eady abstaining. Board Members Orme and Taylor absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing on Parks and Recreation Department …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD JUNE 17, 2024 – 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TX 78752 Some members of the Parks and Recreation Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. For remote participation, registration must be completed no later than noon the day before the meeting. To register to speak, click here: https://forms.office.com/g/PSGCcWX3wk or call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974-6716, Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and may be allowed up to three (3) minutes to provide their comments. Free on-site parking is available in the parking garage and with validation. Attendees should enter via the Event Center Doors on Wilhelmina Delco Drive. More information is available here: https://www.austintexas.gov/pdc. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Pedro Villalobos (D-2), Chair Kathryn Flowers (D-4), Vice Chair Shelby Orme (D-1) Nicole Merritt (D-3) Stephanie Bazan (D-5) VACANT (D-6) VACANT (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Holly Reed (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) 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 May 20, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). Presenter(s): Jason Walker, Cemeteries Division Manager, Parks and Recreation. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead project that includes a maximum amount of funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost to construct the project. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces.) Presenter(s): D’Anne Williams, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department and Kathy Miller, CEO, Hill Country Conservancy. Page 1 of 2 2. 3. Discussion on Parks and Recreation Board input to City Manager on the selection of a new Parks and Recreation Department Director. (Sponsors: Reed, Taylor). Staff briefing on the status of The Expedition School’s permitting and …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on May 20, 2024 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Lane Becker, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Shelby Orme. Board Members Absent: Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt, Kim Taylor. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Chris Flores - Barton Springs Bathhouse Wolf Sittler - Norwood House Phillip Thomas - Free Zilker Coalition Cedar Stevens - Free Zilker Coalition APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of April 22, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of April 22, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flowers’ second on a 6-0 vote with two vacancies. Board Members Franklin, Merritt and Taylor absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural Center and Genealogy Center staff and the 2024 Stay Black & Live Austin Citywide Juneteenth Festival. Carre Adams, Cultural & Arts Education Manager, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on the Carver genealogical archives and events at the Carver. The motion to approve letters of support for George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural Center and Genealogy Center staff and the 2024 Stay Black & Live Austin Citywide 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2024 Juneteenth Festival was approved on Chair Villalobos' motion, Board Member Becker’s second on a 6-0 vote with two vacancies. Board Members Franklin, Merritt and Taylor absent. 3. Discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to direct the Watershed Protection Department to seek alternative solutions to the current proposed plan for the Reed Park Water Quality Improvement Project. Board Members discussed the need for green space in this park deficient area, the poor water quality of the creek, the effects of rapid urbanization on this area, the Chapter 26 process, and wastewater infrastructure. The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to direct the Watershed Protection Department and Parks and Recreation Dept. to seek alternative solutions to the current proposed plan for the …
Violet Crown Trail | Mile Zero Trailhead Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy Parks and Recreation Board Christine Chute Canul, Program Manager II Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin June 17, 2024 Violet Crown Trail In 2006, planning of the Violet Crown Trail began. Its purpose is to create the first regional trail system in Central Texas. After years of strategic land acquisition and planning, the trail is now 13 miles long running from Zilker Park to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. With continued construction, the VCT is on its way to becoming the longest trail of its kind in Central Texas. 2 Violet Crown Trail | Mile Zero Trailhead at Zilker Metropolitan Park 3 Project Improvement Map 4 Improvements at the Site Mile Zero Entry Feature and Gathering Area Meadow Pavilion Observation Deck and Overlook Stabilized Decomposed Granite Trail Meadow enhancements and walking trail Bike Racks Educational Signage Improved Crosswalk and ADA access 5 6 Project Cost Estimate PROJECT BUDGET Construction Costs Materials Cost Estimated Project Cost Contingency Total Project Cost: 7 Permitting, Design, Project Mgt Costs In-kind Design and Project Management 1,006,488 936,637 1,943,125 194,313 54,115 125,000 2,316,553 Timeline and Next Steps Community Engagement 2018-2019 – Complete 2022 Site Plan Approved 5/20/24 Parks and Recreation Board 7/18/24 City Council Execute Parkland Improvement Agreement Construction begins late 2024 – early 2025 8 Make a recommendation to City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Trail Mile Zero Trailhead project. The agreement includes a maximum amount of Parkland Dedication funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost of constructing the project. Action 9
CEMETERY OPERATIONS Parks and Recreation Board June 17, 2024 MISSION STATEMENT | Cemetery Operations strives to honor the past, present, and future of Austin’s sacred municipal burial grounds with integrity, empathy, and respect. VISION STATEMENT | Cemetery Operations utilizes available resources to manage all operations in a first-class manner applying the most modern administrative, maintenance, preservation, and conservation methods, techniques, and technologies to our day-to-day responsibilities. Cemetery Operations The Founding of Historic Cemeteries 1839 • Oakwood Cemetery 1872 • Stanley- Nolen 1878 • Cemetery at Longview Park 1898 • Plummers Cemetery 1915 • Oakwood Cemetery Annex 1926 • Evergreen Cemetery 1927 • Austin Memorial Cemetery City of Austin Cemeteries represents one of the earliest municipal achievements with the establishment of Oakwood Cemetery in 1839. Oakwood offered the citizens of Austin the opportunity to be buried and remembered in a dignified and respectful manner. Since 1839, the City of Austin has managed and operated 5 municipal and 2 family cemeteries and 80,000 burials encompassing approximately 200 acres of land. 2 Cemetery Operations Background and Current Status Parks and Recreation Department takes on management responsibility. • 1986 – Public Works ends management of municipal cemeteries. • 1990 – 2013 InterCare Inc., assumes responsibility for all aspects of management at city cemeteries. • 2013- Present • April 1, 2013, PARD assumed management of the City of Austin municipal cemeteries resumed some aspects of the cemetery management. • Current Status – 28 Full-time Employees: 6 administrative and 22 • Cemetery Operations maintain 200+ acres of cemetery land, which consists of maintenance (5 temporary) over 80,000 burials • An average of 500 – 600 interments per year and 800 space sales 3 Cemetery Operations Headstone Resetting/Releveling Pilot Project • Address and remediate sinking and leaning headstones in a sample section to determine the most cost-effective process to maximize city resources. • AMP Section 5 Pilot Project was designed by Cemetery Operations in response to the growing and costly issues related to shifting ground patterns and headstone sinking. • The project utilized two different methodologies to effectively evaluate and determine the most effective process moving forward. • The project goals were met, and staff provided useful feedback on the pros and cons of the processes. 4 Cemetery Operations Headstone Pilot Project cont…. • Maintenance staff began performing monument installations, resets, and relevels in November 2018. • Cemetery Operations plans to transition to all interment and burial …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department The Expedition School – Progress Update Presenter: Reynaldo Hernandez Jr, PLA, PMP June 17, 2024 Background Mid 2006: December 2019: The Expedition School (TES) founded and began operating as a contract instructor at Camacho Recreation Center. TES provided city-contracted instructor classes in kayaking, standup paddling, canoeing, and safety. Council Ordinance 20191205-070 • Authorized a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake for the Expedition School • Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) to determine permanent location of operation. December 2019: October 2020 : PARD and TES partnership agreement finalized Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued. • Temporary location of operation at Lady Bird Lake. • 18-month period, potential 2-year extensions • TES conducts planning efforts for permanent infrastructure Temporary Location: Festival Beach Boat Ramp at Nash Hernandez Road • September 2020, Site Plan Exemption received from Development Services Dept. (DSD) • October 2020, partnership agreement executed through April 2022 • January 2022, extension through April 2024 • December 2023, extension through April 2026 TES continues to operate at this temporary location. Planning and permitting for new location infrastructure is ongoing. Permanent Location: Permanent location of The Expedition School • TES is responsible for the design, permitting, and construction for the new infrastructure for planned TES programming. This may include storage, shade structures, equipment and material for operation of concession. All proposed amenities must be ADA compliant. • TES will also be responsible for infrastructure and facility maintenance including keeping concession area clean. • PARD is responsible for providing park identification sign, park directional signage, ADA compliant access, and ADA parking. Permanent Location cont.: A C B D BoardSafe design E E TES facility proposes the following amenities: A. Gang plank (1027 sq. ft.) B. Floating dock (7500 sq. ft.) C. Storage on floating dock (1715 sq. ft.) D. Shade structure on floating dock (4000 sq. ft.) E. 2 ADA boarding kits (740 sq. ft.) Total floating dock and amenities area: 9267 sq. ft. Existing Boating Concessions Comparison: TEXAS ROWING CENTER (2018 Improvements) A. Floating dock (9266 sq. ft.) B. Floating dock extension (4227 sq. ft.) C. 2 storage buildings on floating dock B C (5795 sq. ft.) A C Texas Rowing Center 6044 sq. ft. of existing floating dock incorporated into improvements. Total floating dock and amenities area: 19537 sq. ft. Permanent Location Next Steps: • Anticipate issuance of Site Plan Permit 3 months after final review comments …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S UPDATE DATE: June 2024 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS: Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center: Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center (BSSEC) and Austin Nature & Science Center (ANSC) staff partnered with the Parks Grounds Maintenance team to open a new feature to the Zilker Metropolitan Park playscape on Friday, May 31st. The installation features a scientifically accurate representation of the endangered species that calls Barton Springs its home and will provide salamander education for years to come. District 8 Parks Grounds Maintenance and Nature Programs teams celebrate the opening of the new salamander feature at Zilker Metropolitan Park playscape. 1 Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center: On Saturday, May 18th the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the unveiling of a plaque in honor of Tony Castillo. After much deliberation with city council, the Parks Board, along with community advocates and the Castillo family, the decision was made by the board to erect a plaque in honor of Mr. Castillo. District 3 Program invitation for Tony Castillo plaque dedication in Pan Am neighborhood park. Tillery Neighborhood Park PARD staff will host a Virtual Community Meeting to discuss plans for the new parkland and pecan grove. The project will provide visible and safe access to the park and install amenities that align with community needs and environmental constraints. District 3. Tillery Neighborhood Park Community Meeting (Virtual) Wednesday, June 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join us to meet project staff, learn more about the planned park improvements and timeline, and get your questions answered. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Register here! PLANNING UPDATES: 2 DEVELOPMENT UPDATES: Kicking Off: Project kick-off is underway for new park development at 1129 Tillery Street, known as Pecan Grove, in east Austin. The approximately two acres of parkland were officially acquired from the Austin Housing Finance Corporation in 2022 as part of a planned affordable housing development. Concept planning for the park will start with community engagement, anticipated to begin this summer. District 3 Aerial view of 1129 Tillery Street 3 MAINTENANCE UPDATES: Barton Springs Pool & Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation Project: Possible drawdown to be scheduled before July 4th. The drawdown of water levels will help remove algae from the shallow end of the pool. The Bathhouse Rehabilitation Project is underway. Ticket sales were moved to the café, signage designating the change was installed and staff have been set up …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240617-3 June 17, 2024 Parkland Improvement Agreement for Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead Date: Subject: Motioned By: Kathryn Flowers Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board Recommends to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Trail Mile Zero Trailhead project. The agreement includes a maximum amount of Parkland Dedication funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost of constructing the project. Vote Seconded By: Jennifer Franklin The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Trail Mile Zero Trailhead project. The agreement includes a maximum amount of Parkland Dedication funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost of constructing the project was approved on Vice Chair Flowers motion, Board Member Franklin’s second on a 6-2 vote with two vacancies. Those voting aye were Chair Villalobos, Vice Chair Flowers, Board Members Bazan, Becker, Franklin and Merritt. Those voting nay were Board Members Reed and Taylor. Those abstaining were Board Member Orme. Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt. Against: Holly Reed, Kim Taylor. Abstain: Shelby Orme. Absent: None. Attest: Tim Dombeck, Board and Council Liaison, Parks and Recreation Department For:
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a SPECIAL CALLED meeting on June 17, 2024 at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Jennifer Franklin, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Nicole Merritt, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. Board Members Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Sharon Blythe - Cemetery advocate Scott Cobb - Lifeguard hiring Andrea Hill - Lifeguard hiring and chain of command issues Chris Flores - Violet Crown and Barton Springs Pool Joy Casnovsky - Austin Parks Foundation Elisa Rendon Montoya - Holly Shores concerns Bertha Rendon Delgado - Edward Rendon Holly Shores Master Plan Frank Estrada - Possible renaming of Camacho Activity Center Phillip Thomas - Edward Rendon Sr. Park and Holly Shores concerns Ricardo Chavana - Hispanic Baseball League APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of May 20, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of May 20, 2024 was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Vice Chair Flower’s second on a 9-0 vote with two vacancies. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program. 2. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2024 Jason Walker, Cemeteries Division Manager and Lucas Massie, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on private organizations doing interments. The motion to approve letters of support for enhancements to the PARD Cemeteries Program was approved on Chair Villalobos' motion, Board Member Reed’s second on a 9-0 vote with two vacancies. 3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead project that includes a maximum amount of funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost to construct the project. D'Anne Williams, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department and Kathy Miller, CEO, Hill Country Conservancy gave a presentation and answered questions on …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MAY 20, 2024 – 6:00 PM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, ROOM 1101 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Parks and Recreation Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. For remote participation, registration must be completed no later than noon the day before the meeting. To register to speak, click here: https://forms.office.com/g/ZfQiW2FBur or call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974- 6716, Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and may be allowed up to three (3) minutes to provide their comments. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Pedro Villalobos (D-2), Chair Kathryn Flowers (D-4), Vice Chair Shelby Orme (D-1) Nicole Merritt (D-3) Stephanie Bazan (D-5) VACANT (D-6) VACANT (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Holly Reed (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA 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 22, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural Center and Genealogy Center staff and the 2024 Stay Black & Live Austin Citywide Juneteenth Festival. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). Presenter(s): Carre Adams, Culture & Arts Education Manager, Parks and Recreation Department. Discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to direct the Watershed Protection Department to seek alternative solutions to the current proposed plan for the Reed Park Water Quality Improvement Project. (Sponsors: Reed, Taylor). Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Mile Zero Trailhead project that includes a maximum amount of funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost to construct the project. (Sponsors: Villalobos, Flowers). (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces.) Presenter(s): Christine Chute Canul, Program Manager II, Parks and Recreation Department and George Cofer, Violet Crown Trail Project Manager, Hill Country Conservancy. Page 1 of 2 2. 3. 4. Discussion and create a Public Access …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 22, 2024 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 22, 2024 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on April 22, 2024 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Jennifer Franklin, Nicole Merritt, Holly Reed. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor (left meeting at 6:27 p.m.). Board Members Absent: Lane Becker. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Joe Riddell - Waterloo Greenway and Waterloo Conservancy Laura Esparza - Austin Arts Alliance and Daugherty Arts Center Ted Eubanks - Frederick Law Olmstead Parks and Divisive vs. Unifying actions Lucky Lemieux - Daugherty Arts Center Construction Diana Prechter - Withdrawal of Ted Eubanks Parks and Recreation Board Nomination Wolf Sittler - Norwood House Chris Flores - Barton Springs Pool Issues Gail Rothe - Withdrawal of Ted Eubanks Parks and Recreation Board Nomination Tanya Payne - Withdrawal of Ted Eubanks Parks and Recreation Board Nomination Teri Adams - Role of the Parks and Recreation Board Robin Rather - Withdrawal of Ted Eubanks Parks and Recreation Board Nomination Andrea Hill - PARD Management Patrick Moore - Building a Tower in Bolm District Park APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board special called meetings of March 27, 2024. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board special called meeting of March 27, 2024 with amendments to remove the words “Barton Springs Conservancy’s Role” from Item 7 Paragraph 1, and to show Board Member Stephanie Bazan as having been in attendance remotely was approved on Chair Villalobos’ motion, Board Member Merritt’s second on a 7-0 vote with two vacancies. Board Members Becker and Taylor absent. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 22, 2024 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for PARD Human Resources Team for their successful recruiting and hiring practices, use of new technology, administration of summer bonuses, and nationally recognized safety training program. Daniel Paciocco, Human Resources Manager, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on delays in lifeguard hiring and the need for more HR staff. The motion to approve letters of support for PARD Human Resources Team for their successful recruiting and hiring practices, use …
Violet Crown Trail | Mile Zero Trailhead Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy Parks and Recreation Board Christine Chute Canul, Program Manager II Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin May 20, 2024 Violet Crown Trail In 2006, planning of the Violet Crown Trail began. Its purpose is to create the first regional trail system in Central Texas. After years of strategic land acquisition and planning, the trail is now 13 miles long running from Zilker Park to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. With continued construction, the VCT is on its way to becoming the longest trail of its kind in Central Texas. 2 Violet Crown Trail | Mile Zero Trailhead at Zilker Metropolitan Park 3 Project Improvement Map 4 Improvements at the Site Mile Zero Entry Feature and Gathering Area Meadow Pavilion Observation Deck and Overlook Stabilized Decomposed Granite Trail Meadow enhancements and walking trail Bike Racks Educational Signage Improved Crosswalk and ADA access 5 6 Project Cost Estimate PROJECT BUDGET Construction Costs Materials Cost Estimated Project Cost Contingency Total Project Cost: 7 Permitting, Design, Project Mgt Costs In-kind Design and Project Management 1,006,488 936,637 1,943,125 194,313 54,115 125,000 2,316,553 Timeline and Next Steps Community Engagement 2018-2019 – Complete 2022 Site Plan Approved 5/20/24 Parks and Recreation Board 7/18/24 City Council Execute Parkland Improvement Agreement Construction begins late 2024 – early 2025 8 Make a recommendation to City Council to approve the negotiation and execution of a Parkland Improvement Agreement with Hill Country Conservancy for the Violet Crown Trail Mile Zero Trailhead project. The agreement includes a maximum amount of Parkland Dedication funding of $900,000 the Parks and Recreation Department will allocate to Hill Country Conservancy for a portion of the cost of constructing the project. Action 9
Carver Museum F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 2 4 P R O G R A M H I G H L I G H T S B L A C K H I S T O R Y M O N T H 2 0 2 4 @ C A R V E R M U S E U M Black History Month Kids Day Solar Saturdays That’s My Face Create & Heal S M A L L B L A C K M U S E U M R E S I D E N C Y P R O J E C T V O L U M E 3 Corey Sherrad, Jr. taylor barnes Nitiasha Johnson Corey De'Juan Sherrard, Jr. (b. 1996) received his B.S. in digital media from the University of Houston. He creates work that honors the Black Radical tradition of resistance using paint, photography, sound, and sculpture. Sherrard is also an alumnus of the School for Poetic Computation. taylor barnes (b. 1993) is native of Austin, Texas. She is a ceramic, charcoal, and fibers artist who explores spirituality, oral history, materiality, and bell hooks' philosophy of object and subject. She received her MFA from the University of North Texas. The artist chooses to honor her linage by not capitalizing the letters of her name. Nitashia Johnson, is a multimedia artist and educator from Dallas, Texas. She is an alumna of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Texas Woman's University (BFA), and the Rhode Island School of Design (MAT). She received her MFA from the University of Texas at Dallas. Her work seeks to help us reconnect to our natural environment to build an understanding of our personal histories and lived experiences. Juneteenth 2024 S T A Y B L A C K & L I V E A U S T I N C I T Y W I D E J U N E T E E N T H F E S T I V A L J U N E 1 5 , 2 0 2 4 - J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 2 4 The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Cener in partnership with Carver ATX Foundation STAY BLACK JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL HISTORY In response to the ongoing global health crisis and endemic …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S UPDATE DATE: May 2024 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS: Austin Tennis Center: The Austin Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the Capital Area Tennis Association to resurface ten tennis courts at the Austin Tennis Center. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) awarded a $39,500 grant to the Capital Area Tennis Association (CATA), and USTA Texas added an additional $10,000, totaling $49,500 to assist with covering the costs of the improvement. The feedback from the community has been positive as everyone appreciates the improved playing surface. District 1 Austin Tennis Center new surface court The Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Community Engagement: The Oakwood Cemetery Chapel hosted community engagement meetings with the Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin and a Hispanic descendant's group to get feedback on past Tejano programs and events and to plan summer and fall programs and events. Fifteen community members attended this event. District 1 All-Abilities Playground at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park: An online survey will remain open until May 31st to receive feedback on playground options and themes for the All-Abilities Playground. This will complete the second phase of community engagement for the project, which also included a virtual community meeting held on May 2nd and several small group discussions throughout the month. The final round of community engagement to share a single playground concept is expected to be completed by late summer, with the third virtual meeting scheduled for June 20th. The Department 1 teamed with Austin Parks Foundation and their consultant team, TBG Partners and Cultural Strategies, to design and develop the playground at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park in alignment with the 2015 Vision Plan. A schematic design phase led by Austin Parks Foundation will begin as funding becomes available. District 2 https://www.austintexas.gov/Onion-Creek-All-Abilities Bolm District Park Vision Plan Community Engagement Round #2 Virtual Meeting: The Department will be hosting the second community meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, February 13 at 6 p.m. Project team members will present design concepts around themes developed through feedback and responses to the first community survey. This will also mark the launch of the second community survey. Additional project information, including a link to register for the meeting and dates for community pop-ups, can be found at the project’s website. District 3 Project Webpage Bolm District Park Pan American Neighborhood Park: On September 1, 2022, the Austin City Council passed a resolution in alignment with recommendations from the Parks …
