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Construction project to expand usable space for Zilker Park goers

The expansion is part of a partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation, the Parks and Recreation Department and C3 Presents.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Downtown from Zilker Park

AUSTIN — AUSTIN -- A new project is in the works to improve the Stratford Drive lot near Zilker Park.

The Austin Parks Foundation announced Wednesday that their partnership with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and C3 Presents will fund a construction project that will improve the Stratford Drive lot that sits on the closed Butler Landfill.

The site, which is comprised of three to six feet of dirt as a cap with landfill garbage underneath, will continue to serve as an area available for use of Zilker Park patrons and surrounding attractions, as well as for the special events held at the park throughout the year.

The goal of this construction project is to formalize the stabilization of the surface of the landfill cap to make it more usable than its previous condition with an all-weather surface, according to a press release from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

Other improvements include adding a water quality control system, multiple entrance points to the lot from Stratford Drive, and improving the water drainage system to reduce the flow of water on the landfill.

“Austin Parks Foundation is proud to be able to make these needed improvements to the Stratford lot. Not only do they prevent further disruption and erosion of the landfill’s cap, but the improvements also address critical drainage issues,” said Colin Wallis, Austin Parks Foundation CEO. “Our goal is to protect Zilker Park by giving the thousands of weekend visitors to the park, Zilker Botanical Gardens, Austin Nature and Science Center, and the Butler Trail a usable area under all weather conditions.”

The project will also incorporate improvements to the the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail for the portion of the trail bordering Zilker Park.

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