Pease Park master plan finalized

After receiving public input, Pease Park Conservancy in June finalized its draft for the park's master plan.

The organization intends to maintain Pease Park's natural environment despite pressures from increasing population growth, Pease Park Conservancy Chairman Richard Craig said.

"This whole corridor is increasingly important for the whole city as a recreational outlet and really is the green lung of the city," Craig said. "It needed escape from the density and urbanization of Central Austin."

The master plan includes improvements throughout the space. Pease Park Conservancy held three public meetings to get residential opinions on the future of the park. Craig said residents echoed many of the same concerns.

"People have said they like the park as it is, they just want things better maintained," he said.

The plan includes more regular maintenance, new restroom facilities, a new recreational facility and better access to the trail. Pease Park will also have more trees planted to provide some relief from the heat.

"You can't have a park in Texas without shade," Craig said.

The plan includes input from Austin's Parks and Recreation Department, and City Council should review the plan in the coming months, he said.