$1 Million for Gus Garcia Park

Gus Garcia Park will receive a $500,000 grant, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission announced yesterday. The City of Austin will match the grant with an additional $500,000, to be used for park infrastructure such as a multipurpose field, playground, fitness area, community gardens, benches and picnic tables.

Volunteers from Friends of Gus Garcia Park, including Gus Garcia himself, have worked long and hard, in partnership with the City Parks Department, to add amenities to this beautiful north Austin tract of land. Recent improvements include a recreation center, flower beds and a walking trail.

Friends of Gus Garcia Park president, Doug Whitworth, tells us, “We can’t wait to bring this news to the community and begin the next phase of developing our park!”

Airspading at Republic Square

Airspading on the left, hand digging on the right

The second half of Phase 1b at Republic Square is officially kicked off as of Wed, Aug 25.  We have Bartlett Tree Experts and CleanScapes working with airspades and hand tools to excavate the footings closest to the central Auction Oak for the deck.  If we find roots bigger than 1/2 inch we rework the footings.

Dirt goes flying thanks to the airspade

Two out of the four closest pier holes (3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet) are good, several others further away are good thus far, but two will need some reconfiguration and we’re working with Landscape Architects at TBG Partners, our structural engineers at Structures, Inc. and Bartlett Tree Experts arborists to determine the best way forward.  We have been hoping to pour at least a few of the footings tomorrow, but we’ll have to see.  Still, we’re at work on the deck and we’re really excited to be out there.

The rebar awaits

Please Help Trees for Pease

Cedar Elm Snapped in Two

On Wednesday, August 12th, we experienced another freak windstorm (with little rain) that brought down over 70 mature trees at Pease Park along the Shoal Creek Greenbelt. This is the third storm in three years and because the canopy is mature with few new understory or newly planted trees, the effects are devastating.

Another Cedar Elm near the playscape

Despite our efforts earlier in the year of planting 100 new trees and a new irrigation system, the need for tree planting is now stronger than ever. Trees for Pease has announced plans to plant up to 220 trees and install irrigation this fall and winter and we need your help. At a price of $150 per tree with irrigation, we are looking for $33,000 for this next phase. Please consider a donation to Austin Parks Foundation with “Trees for Pease” in the memo line or visit our donor page and choose Pease Park Fund from the list of Special Funds.

Parks Forestry Crew Picks Up the Pieces

Austin Oyster Adventure Race Oct 11

Sign up for the Austin Oyster Adventure Race on October 11.  Proceeds benefit the Austin Parks Foundation.  This will be the third year in Austin and we’ll host a free boot camp on Sunday, Sept 20th from 8 to 11 am.  Details soon.

Zilker Great Lawn is Open

Pictures from today’s opening ceremonies – thanks to WT Fraser.

Councilmember Cole, Charlie McCabe (Aus Parks Fdn), Parks Director Sara Hensley, Charlie Jones (C3 Presents) and Mayor Leffingwell cut the ribbon

Opening ceremony with skyline in the background

Visit to Museum Reach, Riverwalk, San Antonio

To celebrate my spouse’s successful completion of graduate school this week, we took an overnight trip to San Antonio to check out museums and  the several mile new extension of the San Antonio Riverwalk, part of a multi-year effort to extend the river walk to 13 miles from Brackenridge Park to the north and Mission Espada to the south.  After a welcome thunderstorm, we ventured out to walk a section north of downtown and take in the art hanging from bridges crossing the river.  The dual 8 foot wide paths on both sides of the river, along with locks (for rio taxis), connections for the VFW hall, San Antonio Museum and the currently being redeveloped Pearl Brewery are very impressive.  Here’s a few photos from the area at the (currently being redeveloped) Pearl Brewery before our digital camera told us that it had a low battery charge.

In short, this is not like the two mile stretch of the riverwalk in downtown San Antonio!  Check it out.

This last picture is of a recreated wetland in the Pearl Brewery area.  A few notes, much of the area between downtown (the AT&T Locks area) and the park is underdeveloped.  There were many old car dealerships and other industrial uses that have moved on, making this an area – I believe – primed for redevelopment when the economy turns around.  The San Antonio Museum of Art – hosed in the old Lone Star Brewery, has a spectacular connection to the new riverwalk.

More Grass at Republic

Picture today of the grass sod, now completely laid out.  We have received permission for a watering variance, which allows us the ability to increase watering (beyond twice a week) for establishing the grass.  We were out mulching our trees on Sunday evening when the rain showers (however brief) rolled on through.  It was nice.

Republic: Grass Part 1

The first ten or so pallets of grass sod (common bermuda) went into the park today.  More to come, but its looking good and we have the irrigation in place to water it.

Trees & Sprayground at Pease

Here’s a picture of the new sprayground under construction at Pease, replacing a old fill/draw wading pool.

While I was there, I checked out the 100 trees planted back in February.  Thanks to our great Trees for Pease group, the trees are all doing well in 100 degree heat with the irrigation system that Trees for Pease raised all of the funds to install.

Republic – Southern Berm Work Continues

These pictures are from Friday – SunGrow is finishing up the work to replace the southern berm with grass and removed a portion of the sidewalk along 4th St and moved the stone bollards.  This gives the Auction Oaks a little more breathing room.

Awaiting more top soil and irrigation

Sidewalk portion removed (no rebar found)

Stone Bollards Now Relocated.