Eastwoods Park Trail taking shape

A new granite gravel and pervious concrete trail is taking shape at Eastwoods Park, just north of the UT campus.  Funded by funds through an agreement with the Concordia development, Weigelt Enterprises is constructing the trail, designed by the Parks Planning group, under contract with the Austin Parks Foundation and overseen by the neighborhood association.  Several sections, like this one at the form stage near the bike/pedestrian bridge that crosses Waller Creek, will use a combination of pervious (absorbs water) concrete.  Pouring of the concrete sections should take place later this week.

Flood Stage on Shoal Creek

We were headed south on Lamar Blvd toward downtown on Sat night when we noticed a huge wave of water and debris coursing down Shoal Creek at 29th St.  As we drove south we soon saw that we outpaced the leading edge of the wave.  So, we stopped at 9th St in Duncan Park and waited for the wave to arrive.  About 10 minutes later, at 6:35 pm, it arrived, quickly rising to eight feet (according to the USGS Flood Gauge at 12th St.) Wow – all of the debris: logs, wood, and sadly lots of trash.  This all came from upstream, as we only got a small amount of rain Saturday in Central Austin.  Here’s a picture from the 9th St bridge (sorry for the quality.)  The trail is under water at this point, at least for a few hours.

Remember, even if its not raining on you, its raining somewhere else.  Be very careful – this time of year especially – along our creeks and trails.  Here’s a picture from Duncan Park as the wave rolled through.

Tall Flowering Plants @ Shoal Creek Demo Plot

In October 2007, we installed 9 demonstration restoration plots to see if we could plant with native flowers and grasses areas that had been heavily used by folks enjoying the park.  We tilled soil, added compost and other treatments and spread seed.  By then, the drought, which continues to this day, hit Central Texas.  Results have been somewhat promising in the spring months, but then beaten down by hot summers and dry falls and winters.

Well, sometimes even a little rain can help.  Our recent rains have allowed a number of plants to sprout, including these, seen in the demo plot along Lamar Blvd just south of 24th St.  We’ll take this as a good sign.

Thanks to BCDOG, Bull Creek, Gables Volunteers

Look at this great new cedar fence along Lakewood Drive at Bull Creek District Park.  Funded by an Austin Parks Foundation Park Grant, it will keep dogs away from cars zipping along Lakewood.  Congrats to Debra Bailey of BCDOG for a very successful workday.

Upcoming Park Project Meetings

We wanted to let you know about a few upcoming park project related meetings.

1. Wed May 13: Waller Creek District Master Plan Public Workshop

The City is asking the community to help shape the vision of the Waller Creek District by attending a public workshop on Wednesday, May 13. Learn more about its current condition and provide input on desired amenities and character of the district from Waterloo Park and Lady Bird Lake.

WHEN: 
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

LOCATION: 
Austin Convention Center, Ballroom C 
500 East Cesar Chavez St.

MORE INFO: 
visit the Waller Creek Tunnel Project Website

2. Mon May 18: The Proposed Boardwalk Trail @ Lady Bird Lake

LOCATION: 
Parks and Recreation Dept Board Room, 200 S. Lamar Blvd. 
500 East Cesar Chavez St.

WHEN: 
Monday, May 18, 2009 
6:15 p.m. 

The Jacobs consultant team for the proposed boardwalk trail has been progressing with design development. there will be a briefing of the Parks and Recreation and Environmental Joint sub-committee.  The presentation will includes several illustrations of the proposed boardwalk construction details, refinements to the routing and an environmental update, including the Blunn Creek tree survey.