Here’s a breakdown of each of the plans:
Wooldridge Square Park Preliminary Plan
The Wooldridge Square Park Preliminary Plan[/caption]Considered one of the most important landmarks in African-American history in Austin, Wooldridge Square Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a State Antiquities Landmark and a city of Austin Historic Landmark. When drawing up the plan, dwg, the landscape architecture firm hired by the city, took a “less-is-more” approach to preserve the historic character of the park.
Among the biggest changes proposed by the plan are the addition of a walkway from the southwest corner toward the historic gazebo, an update to the gazebo to make it ADA-compliant with the addition of a wheelchair lift, and added connections to the Austin History Center to the south and to the historic Heman Marion Sweatt Courthouse to the north.
The plan also proposes taking a Moonlight Tower out of storage and adding it to the northwest corner of the park where there will be a new community space. The new Moonlight Tower will stand opposite of the existing Moonlight Tower at the park, located on the southeast corner.
Bull Creek District Park Master Plan
The Bull Creek District Park Master Plan.[/caption]Bull Creek District Park is a popular spot for jogging, nature walks, swimming and picnics. During a communitywide survey, members of the public placed trash reductions, trail and restroom improvements, increased parking and a new picnic area as priority improvements.
The Master Plan, which is to be funded by $750,000 from the 2012 bond program, includes drainage and watershed protection enhancements, improved ADA access to renovated picnic areas and greenbelt trails, and updated restroom facilities. The master plan also proposed the addition of a wildflower meadow and removal of a portion of a concrete pad at the northwest corner of the park as part of the restoration of the area’s natural habitat. There will also be a new nature play area for children.
The plan also proposes to supply trash bags at the picnic areas to encourage park visitors to pick up their garbage.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park Vision Plan
The Emma Long Metropolitan Park Vision Plan.[/caption]The Emma Long Metropolitan Park Vision Plan provides a basis for the park's development during the next 15 to 20 years. Although the park is roughly 1,140 acres in size, the improvements fall in the 75-acre area beyond the pay station. During public outreach, many voiced concern the park was overcrowded and lacked parking and infrastructure maintenance.
A general overview of the 20-year vision includes: toward the north end of the park, the addition of more than 60 new campsites, enhanced restroom facilities and parking areas. At the southern tip of the park, the plan proposes the renovation of the boat ramp and water access area, with the addition of a new boat tie-down area. There will also be a new concessionaire building, truck and trailer parking, and new picnic stations. And at the park’s Central Lawn, the vision shows a more linear and stretched out parking area, a new playscape, hiking trail, a food truck parking area and volleyball and basketball courts.
With limited funding available from the 2012 bond program, the initial implementation of the vision plan will be given to the park’s highest priorities: utility upgrades to existing camp areas, improved roadway at the entry station and along bluff campsites, parking and access improvements at the boat launch, and trail improvements around the Central Lawn.
With the board’s approval on Tuesday, the design phase will begin for the prioritized improvements.
