A Newsletter from the Free Zilker Coalition
– August 2024
While it’s been a while since we published a Free Zilker Zephyr, you will see that we’ve been quite busy advocating for parks all over Austin! We are arguing against raising pool fees, recommending qualities for a new Parks and Recreation Director, fighting a non-profit trying to build a private boat dock in Rendon Park on Lady Bird Lake, studying the evolution of Non-Profits in Austin Parks, and advocating for green space in the face of the recent up-zoning that’s occurred all across Austin! Read on to catch up!
Table of Contents
Pool Fees to Go Up
Park Allies Meet with City Manager Broadnax
Fight Expedition School Takeover of Chicano Park
Zilker Park is “Loved to Death” by Austin Parks Foundation, etc.
Excessive Impervious Cover Limit Threatens Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Park
—Cedar Stevens, Chair of The Free Zilker Coalition
The Trails Conservancy Succeeds in Removing Protections for Lady Bird Lake—An In-Depth Account
On March 7th, environmental protection rollbacks demanded by The Trail Conservancy (TTC) were approved by Austin City Council. Three members (R. Alter, A. Alter and M. Kelly) left the dais without explanation during the public testimony and did not return to vote....
The Fight to Save Brackenridge Park in San Antonio—Free Zilker Allies with First Nations Leaders
Brackenridge Park Conservancy, a nonprofit that was "hired" by the City of San Antonio to be stewards of Brackenridge Park, seems to be more interested in pleasing its donors—who appear to be tied to private interests. The planned development of this National...
East Austin Parks Activists and Free Zilker Defend Festival Beach Master Plan
Members of Deep Holly Advocates and East Austin stakeholders reached out to Free Zilker a few months ago asking for support. We felt we had to assist them because their cause mirrors our own: to stop moneyed interests that undermine the public trust to carve up Austin...
Austin City Council and Mayor Races 2024—A Hail Mary for Austin
The Free Zilker Coalition (FZ) may endorse and fundraise for some candidates, but we just wanted to get people thinking about the stakes and our future. Environmentalists, parks activists and anti-gentrification activists are generally getting our asses kicked at...
East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association Spring Town Hall Meeting
East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association Spring Town Hall Meeting When:Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 6PM Where:Rudy Mendez Rec Center (Formerly Metz Rec Center) 2407 Canterbury St, Austin, TX 78702 What: Come with your questions and concerns about all these...