South Austin residents may soon have access to more green spaces after Austin City Council approved the acquisition of over 49 acres near Manchaca for $13.4 million at an April 9 meeting.
“We need to have more of these spaces, not less, and I’m really excited this one is moving forward with the parks department,” council member Ryan Alter said. “Hopefully, we will see more to come. But we need these spaces to not only protect the environmental features, but to be places where people can go and enjoy.”
The overview
The land is located near Old San Antonio Road, just outside of city limits. It would improve access to Old San Antonio District Park and Wunneburger Neighborhood Park, and is planned as a “destination park with future trail connections along Onion Creek,” according to city documents.
The need
The city of Austin has been facing diminished park growth. Years of population growth have made it more challenging to keep up with recreational needs, Community Impact previously reported.
Previously, the city relied on a parkland dedication system that required developers to pay fees or contribute land. A state law passed in 2023 changed dedication requirements, citing dedication fees and housing costs as a potential threat to economic growth.
The city aims for every resident to live within a 10-minute walk of a park and to provide 24 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Currently, the parks department estimates that approximately 70% of people live within walking distance of a green space.
By the numbers
Funding for the parkland is provided in the capital budgets of Austin Financial Services and Austin Parks and Recreation.
This acquisition is the first of several expected to be funded by a FY 2024-25 budget item to increase parks and public open spaces. Mayor Pro Tem Chito Vela said Alter “led the charge” to get $50 million for the land acquisition budgeted.
“This is some of that money actually going to work,” Vela said. “I believe this is just outside the city limits, but adjacent to another good piece of land. It protects Onion Creek; it’s going to be a great place for folks to go and enjoy. It’s an excellent land acquisition from [Austin Parks and Recreation].”
