Year in Review – Mary Moore Searight Trail Project

Claire Sorenson, who leads the Friends of Mary Moore Searight Park and is also a member of the Austin Parks Foundation board of directors put together a nice thank you note to all volunteers and helpers for the project as well as fun montage of the work done in the past year.  We thought we’d post it for you to check out!

Help Out At Bull Creek over the holidays…

Having a good holiday season? Super. Not getting as much exercise as you’d like? Feeling a little sedentary?

Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt is a beautiful place to get out, take a hike, do a little park maintenance and improve one’s outlook. You are, of course, welcome to do these things on your own. Additionally, Sunday and Thursday afternoons and Monday and Friday mornings we’re providing opportunities for individuals, families and groups to participate in organized activities. Depending on group preference, there will be maintenance activities like invasive plant removal, trail repair, and trash removal. Another possibility is a hike through the 175 acre park, highlighting some unique attractions like the old house, trees that are candidates for Austin Tree of the Year, and grasses 6 feet tall. And if these days and times don’t fit your schedule, call; we should be able to schedule something suitable.

Groups will be small. Email (gsnsj@sbcglobal.net) or call (340-9932) George Innis to arrange details. This schedule will continue through Jan 9, 2011.

Holiday Movies This Thursday

Don’t Forget that the Austin Parks Foundation is sponsoring two holiday classic movies at a free showing this Thursday, 12/16 at 7 pm.  Rudolph and the Grinch will light up our 40 by 20 foot screen and Crepe Crazy and Good As It Gets Kettle Corn will be selling yummy treats.  The weather is looking good too, but dress warmly!

Republic Square is located at 5th, Gaudalupe, 4th and San Antonio Sts in downtown Austin.  Street parking is available and garage parking for a fee is also available.

Gearing Up: Barton Creek Trail Corps Project

Yesterday, representatives from the Parks Department, the Austin Parks Foundation, our local volunteer group Greenbelt Guardians and American Youthworks Environmental Corps walked the second half of the greenbelt to scope projects on the four mile stretch from Loop 360 Access to the Hill of Life.  It was a beautiful afternoon.

All projects were GPSed and noted for scope as well as priority.  We’ll combine these with the 31 identified on the first 4 miles of the trail from Zilker Park to Loop 360 to determine our prioritized list.

John Cook from Parks and Paul S from E-Corps talk step strategy near the chain wall

First, our trail crew, now in training, joined us.  Paul S, our E-Corps Field Coordinator, is on the right.  We’ll be getting bios on our 5 person crew soon.  They’ll officially start the first week of January.

Second, it was a beautiful afternoon.  Most of the time we were looking down at what’s needed on the trail or close by – retaining walls, rock works, improved drainage, but there’s still springs flowing near Sculpture Falls and it was blue sky and full sun.

12/16/10: Holiday Movies at Republic Square

Yup, thanks to our partners at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Dept, the Austin Parks Foundation is pleased to present the orginal versions of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch who stole Christmas.  Awesome classic animated tales.  Free to all – 7 pm, Thursday, December 16th at Republic Square Park in downtown Austin.