The Zilker Neighborhood Association joined forces with the Barton Hills and Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Associations as well as the SOS Alliance to produce a report on a new vision for Zilker Park. It proposes restoring a little over 20% or up to up to 75 acres of the park to forests, wetland and prairies, a process known as “rewilding.”
Rewilding will increase biodiversity, reduce erosion, and mitigate the urban heat island while improving the experience for park users. The recommendations support the newly adopted Austin Climate Equity Plan since rewilded areas help mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
The report was released right before the third community session of the City of Austin’s Zilker Vision Planning on October 19, which will focus on Design Alternatives. We urge you to participate in the session and support the ecological restoration of the park. Register here.
You can also leave comments for several weeks after the meeting.
Another good article with links for information:
Public Notice: Rewilding Zilker Park By Nick Barbaro, Austin Chronicle
Thanks to Ingrid Weigand, BCNA Parks and Green Space Committee, for topic summary and links
