Austin’s signature park is about to see some major changes.
The draft Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan — the first-ever comprehensive plan for updating and maintaining the 351-acre park — was released last week.
In addition to upgrading some of the park’s most well-loved amenities, the plan is meant to guide care and development of the park for years to come. So, let’s dig into it.
New amenities
The plan would bring several additions to the park, including:
A land bridge crossing over Barton Springs Road, joining the north and south sides of the park
A Zilker Hillside Theater
A pedestrian and bike bridge across Lady Bird Lake
A picnic area near the Great Lawn with bathrooms and concessions
A welcome plaza, repurposed out of the current south side caretaker’s cottage
Changes to parking and transportation
The plan envisions more shuttles and connections to the park to foster arrival by bus, bike, and foot. Here’s what else is changing:
Three new parking garages: one under MoPac, one near the new land bridge, and one connected to the revamped Welcome Plaza
Reducing Barton Springs Road to one lane on each side to add parallel parking and bus stops
Adding ~7 miles in trails
Ecological improvements
Overall, the plan is set to add about 91 acres of “ecological uplift.” This includes:
Reverting the existing parking lot along Stratford Drive to restored woodland
Rehabilitating Barton Creek with controlled water access and erosion treatment
Reducing impervious cover — or, artificial structures like pavement — by ~8 acres
Give your feedback
The plan is expected to be adopted in early 2023. Here’s how to put in your input before the deadline on Sunday, Jan. 8:
Fall Festival | Monday, Nov. 21 | 12-3 p.m. | LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St. | Free | This fall festival includes crafts for kids, a raffle, book-signings, and treats baked from Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson’s favorite recipes.
Duma and Masma Dream World | Monday, Nov. 21 | 7-11:59 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St. | $18 | Start your week with a performance from Kenyan-Ugandan duo Duma and the Gabon-born artist behind Masma Dream World.
Tuesday, Nov. 22
Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin: “Suspiria” | Tuesday, Nov. 22 | 7-11:59 p.m. | Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave. | $24.50+ | Celebrate the 45-year anniversary of “Suspiria” with a live performance of the film’s score, set to a screening.
A Conversation With Nigella Lawson | Tuesday, Nov. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. | $24+ | The famed food writer and television star will reflect on her process and how cooking has impacted her life.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
Austin Area Urban League HBCU Invitational | Wednesday, Nov. 23-Thursday, Nov. 24 | 5:30 p.m. | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $15+ | Austin’s Huston-Tillotson University basketball team will compete against schools from Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama in this first-of-its-kind event.
TOM HANKSgiving | Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 6-10 p.m. | Austin Beerworks, 3001 Industrial Terrace | Free | Come dressed in your best Tom Hanks-inspired look for this event, featuring themed trivia and a costume contest.
Los Tigres del Norte | Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd. | $69+ | This internationally famous norteño music group has more than 50 years of hits, 70 albums and 22 No. 1 hits.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
You can’t go wrong with essentials made right. | Photo by The Ridge
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Austin’s City Council recently approved a permitting change for mass transit projects, paving the way for Project Connect — the multi-year overhaul of Austin’s public transportation — to move forward more quickly. 🚊 (Austin Business Journal)
Edu
University Federal Credit Union donated $5 million to Austin Community College, marking the school’s largest scholarship donation in history. The funds will be distributed among multiple scholarship programs and doled out over the course of five years. 💰 (Austin American-Statesman)
Sports
It was a good weekend for Longhorn sports. UT volleyballdefeated Baylor 3-1 Saturday to take the Big 12 Conference title for the sixth time in a row. On the same day,Texas footballwon over Kansas 55-14, moving up to No. 24 in the nation. (KXAN)
Coming Soon
San Antonio chef Steve McHugh, a six-time James Beard Award finalist, has plans to open his first Austin restaurant inside the Hyatt Centric hotel at 721 Congress Ave. Luminaire will open alongside a rooftop bar called Las Bis on Wednesday, Feb. 1. 🍽 (Eater Austin)
List
East Austin restaurants Canje and Birdie’s were named two of the best new restaurants in the country by Esquire. It’s only the latest accolade for the two locations, which have been honored by Bon Appetit and The New York Times, among other publications. (Austin American-Statesman)
Development
Work on the expansion of downtown’s Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is set to begin on Saturday, Dec. 10. Learn more about the multi-phase project, which will almost double the size of the center. 🏗 (Austin Towers)
Now Open
An indoor miniature golf course with 12 courses — including a playable miniature Pennybacker bridge — is now open at The Domain. The Dirdie Birdie also contains a restaurant and bar from the team behind Juniper and Uncle Nicky’s. ⛳️
A new Rainey Street bar called The Stay Putopened last week in the former G’Raj Mahal space. The craft brewery’s design is a nod to Austin history and Texas culture — stop by for locally inspired beers such as Pease Park Hazy Pale Ale or Krause Kolsch. (Austin American-Statesman)
Closing
West Campus’ Malvern Books will close permanently on Sunday, Dec. 31 due to the death of its founder, Joe Bratcher, in July of this year. Until then, the bookstore will stay open Tuesday-Sunday and sell books online. (KVUE)
Learn
Babbel — a premium, subscription-based language learning platform — is offering ATXtoday readers up to 55% off subscriptions to learn a new language(in just three weeks). Choose from 14 languages and learn through bite-sized, 10-minute sessions that focus on everyday phrases + relevant topics. 🗺️ *
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The downtown Austin ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot draws in an estimated 20,000 participants each year. | Photo by Mike Haggerty, courtesy ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
If you’re inspired to run, walk, or trot while your family and friends are visiting this holiday, check out these Thanksgiving turkey trots happening around Austin.
Thanksgiving turkey trots
🦃 ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 24 | 8:45 a.m. | The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr. | $15+ | This 30-year-old Thanksgiving Day run benefits Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Austinites experiencing homelessness.
🦃 2022 Hill Country Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 24 | 8:30 a.m. | The Hills Country Club, 26 Club Estates Pkwy. | $35+ | Run a 5K or a one mile “Puffin’ for Stuffin’” race at this event benefiting Lake Travis schools.
🦃 Shady Hollow Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 24 | 8:30 a.m. | Gatling Gun Park, 11403 Gatling Gun Ln. | Free | This family-friendly race is free, but organizers are accepting donations for local families in need.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by London.
Editor’s pick: I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but I’m already excited to check out some holiday light displays this year. If you feel the same, check out this list of displays around Austin. 🎄
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Before you go brunching, check out our guide here.
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