PARD Urban Parks Workgroup Outlines Strategies Urban Pocket Parks

On November 1st the PARD Urban Parks Workgroup presented to the Council Subcommittee on Comprehensive Planning and Transportation draft recommendations on how to create enough parks in the central city for everyone to live within a 1/4 mile walking distance of a park. Looking at issues such as accessibility, childhood obesity, maintenance budgets, and design innovations the Workgroup made a series of initial policy recommendations for both City Council and PARD. Take a look at the draft recommendations and the PowerPoint they used to present. The final report will be out in about a month.

Family-Friendly Places from trip to Southeastern United States

Here are photos of family-friendly play spaces we came across during a recent trip to the Southeastern United States:

Family Fun at Lake Austin

When people think of Central Texas, a lot of the times they think of scorching hot summers - and they're right on the money. But despite the summer heat I've experience in Central Texas over my past four years in Austin, I have been able to find my 'happy place.' Each summer has brought on a new hobby, all involving the relief of some very refreshing water. I've taken up kayaking Lady Bird Lake, swimming in Barton Springs Pool or Barton Creek Greenbelt, and riding my bike by Liz Carpenter Fountain in Butler Park, to name a few.

This summer, I joined a boat share and added a few more past-times spending time on Lake Austin. It has been wonderful to get out on the water, wake board, relax and enjoy time with good friends. It bothered me however that the vast majority of the Austin Metro population probably does not have access to a boat, so they don't get to experience the lakes of central Texas the way I have. Fortunately, I found great spots to spend a summer day in Austin - no boat required!

1. Emma Long Metropolitan Park http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/emmalong.htm

This is a beautiful, 1100+ acre waterfront park that offers a variety of recreational activities including: swimming, volleyball, hiking, biking, waterfront camping and many others. There is a small fee per vehicle for use of the park. you need to share a lot more info and tidbits.

2. Ski Shores Cafe http://www.facebook.com/skishorescafe
This bar and restaurant offers a very family-friendly environment on Lake Austin with kid-friendly movies on the big screen, a fire pit for s'mores and storytelling, a large playscape, live music, washer pits and a large lawn to run around in. You can enjoy football games on the flatscreen tv's and grab a meal while the kids can enjoy watching the boats pass by or explore the playground. The great balance makes it a comfortable spot for the whole family.

I found this business plan intriguing, with excellent potential in a variety of contexts. Waterfront land is becoming so expensive, it is financially difficult to create a multitude of public access points. In this case, Ski Shores Cafe seized the opportunity to create one of the few family-friendly, affordable waterfront environments in Central Texas

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I thought about how this concept might work on Lady Bird Lake, and how nice it would be to paddle up to a restaurant via kayak or canoe, and enjoy dining with the family, then head off to watch the bats from the water. Or, what if there was a playscape component and waterfront plaza at the boat launch off Scenic Drive by Oyster Landing. What about a public, designated swim access that is linked to the trail system of downtown? Could there be an ecologically appropriate beach or something that provides the same uses as a beach?

Despite everything I imagine, the reality is that we have family-friendly environments in the City of Austin. However, our population is growing rapidly, and public open space can become congested. We as a community need to make sure we are always taking in what's going on around us and thinking of ways to designate open space for the community.

Please feel free to share any similar or unique experiences and also ideas you may have for the future!

Austin City Council Announces New Goal: Everyone Should Live Within Walking Distance of a Park

The Austin City Council has set a new goal for the City that everyone in the urban core should be able to live within walking distance of a park. In a resolution adopted in late 2009, the City Council set a urban parks goal of 1/4-mile to 1/2-mile walking distance of every resident. The City asked the City Manager to create a working group to develop an implementation plan to reach the new urban parks goal. The plan will include strategies to incorporate more innovative and diverse play opportunities for children in parks.

SLIDESHOW: Our Favorite Urban Playspaces for Children

Favorite Kid-Friendly "Playscapes"

[Click on the picture to view larger image of the slideshow]

Austin Families with Children Task Force Report

In 2008, the City of Austin Families with Children Task Force released a comprehensive report on ways in which the City of Austin can attract and retain families with children in the urban core. Click here for the full report. By linking to the task force page on the City's website, you can access a slew of other reports and links on what makes a family-friendly city.