Notes on the Future of Zilker Park

A rendering from the scrapped Zilker Vision Plan. Image: Design Workshop / City of Austin

Last week, we asked our readers for some thoughtful takes on the future of Zilker, and how the park might best accommodate Austin’s ongoing growth now that the vision planning process has hit a dead end. After all the vitriol spread over the last year about how the plan spelled the end of the park as we know it, the hundreds of responses we received to last week’s survey were encouraging and thoughtful. There is much more diversity of opinion on the future of Zilker than some might have you believe, and we have highlighted our favorite suggestions below.

“Reduce Barton Springs Road to one lane each way, adding street parking, loading zone, and better bus stops. And a generous shared use path away from the moving vehicles.”

“Robust overhaul of transportation to the park. Several protected bike and pedestrian lanes from Lamar to the park. Ideally, a light rail stop. Also, selfishly, would love more volleyball courts. There is a line of people waiting to use courts everyday, and the community has grown a lot recently.”

“Fix up Barkin’ Springs, remove surface parking, remove the internal roads, GET THE DAMN TRAIN RUNNING, build a garage under MoPac, permit roving beer & paleta carts.”

“I think the biggest items are making the park as accessible and ‘integrated’ to the rest of the city, and itself, as possible. This would include pedestrianizing Barton Springs Road through the park (and/or adding the land bridge or a similar concept over BSR), adding another bridge or two to access Zilker Park directly from the north side of Town Lake, and improving public transportation access (with immediate improved access by bus and maybe long-term the goal of a nearby train station).”

“More permanent bathrooms that are properly maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. More water fountains that are properly maintained and functional. Adequate trash and recycling receptacles that are emptied that are emptied on a regular basis. Free parking or shuttle service from free parking. Proper tree maintenance.”

Image: Visit Austin

“Keep the open spaces open and not subdivided into many small unique uses. Less parking and more transit stops. More restrooms. More sheltered picnic areas throughout as long as they don’t break up the large open spaces much. This should be a big versatile spot for all strata of Austin population.”

“Improve Bike/Sidewalk connections between hike and bike trail to Barton Springs Pool, Barton Springs Road, and the Botanical Gardens (Currently no signage, very broken/confusing connections for visitors or new bikers, etc…). Parking in the polo fields also has to go. Its a barren wasteland and would be better served by either more off-site parking with a reliable shuttle or a nearby garage. Increasing transit frequency could help that as well. I ride the bus often, but the 30 is way to infrequent to rely on for Zilker. I will normally choose to bike or drive because of the infrequent headways on that route.”

“Bigger bike lanes, pedestrian beacons, more bus stops along Zilker road, and the shuttle to run later and more days.”

“One lane each direction on Barton Springs Road with frequent signalized crossings (no land bridge necessary). Frequent electric bus shuttle system to stops in the park and to off-site parking and to Republic Square. Renovation (but not relocation!) of Zilker Hillside Theater. More restrooms in more parts of the park.”

“Bank restoration near barking springs, the land bridge across Barton springs road was a great idea, more trees for shade in the main Zilker field areas. Parking garages seemed like a good call to reduce runoff from parking lots, and seem more likely to actually be used than some pollyannaish shuttle concept. I’d also love to see some sort of bike rack depot that had security or cameras present. Would also be great to have a “no drone” policy like state parks and natural areas do.”

“Access and parking need to be addressed, whether by improved access by public transit from remote parking or parking garages. General overall improvements for Austin’s ‘gem’ of a park.”

“Road diet for Barton Springs Road with full closures between Mopac and the creek every Sunday and during special events.”

“Less cars, more shade, restaurants/cafe.”

“Get a better entrance system. The line to get in is so dang long it’s ridiculous! How about letting more than one person at a time through the gates. Shuttle from the far away parking lots would be nice too.”

“More bathrooms, close Barton Springs Road to at least only 1 lane of traffic at 20 mph. I think it could be nice it it was closed down one day a week and there were no cars going through the park.”

Image: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department / Design Workshop

“Definitely needs parking garages where the empty lot is close to Mopac bridge. Maybe just not underground. Some landscaping would be nice, and serious Botanical Gardens updating.”

“More shade trees, less cars, additional recreational opportunities (basketball courts, ball fields), more restroom facilities, concessions, multi-use pavilion space (farmers market, community events).”

“There should be parking structures. It is important to eliminate the seas of surface parking at Zilker. Add a reliable shuttle system to the park along with the parking structures.”

“92 acres of ecological remediation and erosion control; a multimodal transit plan for vehicles, bikes, and peds; improved connectivity throughout the park; one to three structured parking facilities, staged over time and subject to feasibility studies; a new or renovated hillside community theater with ADA seating + lawn seating to accommodate growing audiences; a welcome area made from repurposed historic structures that allows for bus/shuttle dropoff and pickup; an interpretive plan that tells the stories of Zilker Park and educates visitors. Oh, wait.”

“Elevated walkways, world class architecture (something beautiful like the Bean in Chicago), elevated walkways, a lookout tower, and way more trees.”

“Needs upgrades to the Hillside Theater, many more trails, and a parking garage. Never enough parking. Personal bias: Zilker is for Austin as a whole and not the neighborhoods that surround it. Interesting fact: In 2005, 100% of the Zilker operating budget (maybe $1.5mm) came from ACL. You might not like ACL, but you have no park maintenance without it. Consider them a benevolent user.”

“Exactly what was proposed in the Zilker Vision Plan.”

“An underground parking garage which reduces surface parking. Improved bike and pedestrian circulation. A pedestrian bridge acres the lake.”

“Remove surface level parking and either provide (some combo of) garages, improved public transit/connectors like the Zilker shuttle. More trees and permanent bathrooms would be nice too.”

“Keep most of the park as-is. Close it off to through traffic except transit, bikes, and peds. Parking garages at the perimeter. Get the Zephyr up and running with a few offshoots running to different parts of the park to help folks get around. A few scattered F&B kiosks run by local joints.”