The new city budget, which the City Council passed on Wednesday, brought good news for parks and park lovers: the establishment of a land acquisition fund, improved park maintenance, additional funding for tree planting projects and a dog park in southwest Austin.

In addition, the Parks and Recreation Department withdrew its unpopular proposal to increase admission prices at specialty swimming pools such as Barton Springs, Deep Eddy and Bartholomew.

Council member Ryan Alter led the Land Acquisition for Parks and Other Purposes Fund, which allocates $50 million in one-time funds using bonds and other future debt. Because the state Legislature restricts the Parks Department’s administration of parks dedication fees, those fees alone are not enough to acquire land for parks, Alter said in his proposal.

The new fund, administered by the Financial Services Department and the Office of the City Manager, is designed to help the city achieve the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan and the Austin Community Health and Sustainability Strategy, which include acquiring 20,000 acres of land for parks, protecting the city’s water supply, improving drainage and mitigating flood risks.

Following community complaints about trash and other deficiencies in the maintenance of city parks, Councilmembers Paige Ellis and Alison Alter secured over $1.2 million for 16 new maintenance positions and $730,000 to fund lawn mowing equipment and other services.

“The concern I hear over and over again is that too many essential city services are not being delivered effectively,” Ellis said in a press release ahead of Wednesday’s vote. “And our parks are much more than just an essential service, they are our lifeblood.”

Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, a co-signer of the budget amendment, added, “Our city has made significant progress in expanding access to park facilities such as Givens and Colony Park swimming pools, but it is equally important to invest in maintaining existing parks at a level that residents should and will expect.”

With tree canopies becoming increasingly important in mitigating heat island effects, the City Council also increased funding for the city’s NeighborWoods tree planting program to $980,000. The NeighborWoods program provides trees at no cost to Austin residents and Austin Energy customer service areas. In addition, the same budget item, introduced by Ryan Alter, will add $1.05 million to the Parks Department’s capital plan for tree planting projects.

In his budget, Alter also directs the city manager to evaluate current tree planting projects in Guerrero, Zilker and Grand Meadow parks to determine the appropriateness of allocating a portion of the increased capital funds.

Finally, Ellis secured a one-time expenditure of $25,000 to pilot an off-leash dog park for six months in Ellis’ District 8 in southwest Austin, possibly in Circle C Metropolitan Park. The area would include fencing, signage and trash cans. Ellis said her constituents have wanted an off-leash dog park for several years.

One remaining council action was made easier by park staff withdrawing proposed seasonal admission fee increases at several city pools. Council member Chito Vela and his colleagues Ellis and Alison Alter had initiated the work to prevent the fee increase. Alter thanked park staff for reconsidering their decision.

“I know some of us were concerned when we saw what a family would have to pay to be able to go to the pool together, so I’m grateful that staff recognized that, and I’m grateful that the underlying budget is continuing our efforts to reduce the number of pools you have to pay for,” Alter said. “Given the strain we’re under, that access is even more important right now, so thank you.”

Photo provided under a Creative Commons license.

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