12/18 Republic Square Project Update

Hey, what’s that stuff falling from the sky?  Rain?  We’ll take even a little light rain.   Prior to that, our contractors were working on installing the metal edging for the path around the auction oaks, as well as digging holes for the four big trees that should be planted in the next few days.  Here’s a few pictures of the path as well as a shot of one of the big trees.

We’ll be taking a break from updates on the Austin Parks Foundation blog for a week for the holidays.  We hope everyone has a few days off to enjoy.  And don’t forget, you can support our work by becoming a member of the foundation starting at $35 a year! 

12/17/08: We’ve Moved Our Offices

Ok, its official, we have our computers plugged in and we’re typing away in our new offices at 816 Congress, Suite 1680.  We’re sub-leasing from the fine folks at the Texas office of the Trust for Public Land.  Our new address is:

Austin Parks Foundation

816 Congress Avenue, Suite 1680

Austin TX 78701

All other contact points (phone, fax, email, website) remain the same.

12/16: Tree Planting at Republic

 

Several of the newly planted and transplanted trees

Beginning late last week, tree transplanting and planting began.  Enviromental Design moved two good sized “understory” trees from their locations on the edge of the former western berm over to the eastern side of the park and SunGrow, our primary contractor, began the planting of the first four of eight replacement trees in the same area.  The first four to go in are big in 150 gallon sized containers and are a great native variety.  

In addition, our Auction Oaks experts, Bartlett Tree Experts, came out and recommended that we do another air spade application around the central auction oak as it has gotten somewhat compacted since the work was done in August.  On the plus side, Matt from Bartlett reported that he saw 6 inches of new growth on the tips of all three auction oaks, which means that they are responding well to the air spade, compost and mulch applications.

12/11 Republic Square Project Update

Over the past few days, the work at Republic Square has been less visible, but it’s still going on with lots more grading around the site, silt fence installation, digging out of the granite gravel path and the beginning of transplanting of two trees that are currently located on the edge of the (almost) former western berm.  An Environmental Design crew spent much of the day digging out and wrapping the two trees and we expect them to transplant them to the eastern side of the park tomorrow.  

Trees for Pease – Irrigation, Tree Planting: Your Help Please

As of Friday, we have a new irrigation system installed at Pease Park.  On both side of the trail beginning at Kingsbury and going up to the base of the hill, we have 100 spots for irrigation for 100 trees, a few of which are already there.  Our next step is to raise enough money to finish paying for the irrigation and 100 good sized trees. So far, we’ve received donations totaling $8,000 so far thanks to Richard Craig and his Trees for Pease campaign.)   We estimate that it will take another $15,000 in donations.  Our plan is to plant the trees this winter and finish the irrigation connections shortly after that. If you can, please donate to the Austin Parks Foundation with Trees for Pease in the memo line of your check.  You can also donate online from our donor page in the Special Funds area (choose Pease Park Fund)

Day 5: Grading / Berm work complete

 

Looking south toward 4th St

 

 

As of Friday, Dec 5th, the berm removal and rough grading work is complete.  the western berm (along San Antonio St) was completely removed and the the southern berm (along 4th St) was slimmed down considerably.  I’ve attached a few shots of the work.  Next up: irrigation, tree planting, path installation and more.

 

looking SW at 2 of the 3 Auction Oaks

Day 4: Western Berm is gone

Today (12/4) our contractors completed removal of the western (along San Antonio St) berm, save a small area where there are two small trees awaiting transplanting next week.  So, work has shifted to shaving down about half of the southern (along 4th St) berm.  Looking good!

 

view from across San Antonio St from the future Courthouse Site

Day 4: Republic Square – Telephone Pole comes down

This morning SunGrow Arborists removed the telephone pole from the area between two of the three Auction Oaks – they cut it into two and pulled it down by ropes without touching either of the historic oaks – very skilled!  Work continues on berm removal – they should be starting on the south (4th St berm later today)

Day 3: 2/3 of 1st Berm Gone…

Work continues on berm removal north of the Auction Oaks on the San Antonio St side of the park. About 2/3 of the first berm has been removed. The soil from yesterday went to a number of parks close by to help the Parks Department with a few projects.

The rest of the soil is now being trucked to their maintenance yard over by Walter E. Long Lake on Deckker Lane, so our progress will slow a bit. Still, its great to see the park opening up. The telephone pole in amongst the Oaks comes down tomorrow piece by piece.

Day 2: Auction Oaks @ Republic Square Project

Our contractor, SunGrow, is now in full swing out at Republic Square. The four street trees have been removed, with the trunks saved and the rest of the crown and branches about to be turned into mulch for the park. More importantly, the big work of berm removal has begun. We’ve estimated that it will take 180 truckloads to make the Western berm and half the southern berm in the park disappear and the work is well underway. We’re hauling the soil to a number of different parks that need it and hopefully, we won’t run out of places to put it. Apart from a few minor snags, the work is proceeding nicely. Check our flickr site for additional pictures.