Following a lengthy review by the community and key city boards and commissions, the Historic Cemeteries Master Plan was approved by the Austin City Council September 17, 2015. Links to the final plan are provided below.

 

Background

In the summer of 2013, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) engaged the community in the development of a Scope of Work for the Cemetery Vision Plan. In September 2013, PARD issued a Request for Proposals for a Cemetery Vision Plan, including a comprehensive tree survey, for all five City of Austin cemeteries. On February 27, 2014, the Austin City Council authorized the award, negotiation, and execution of a contract with AmaTerra Environmental, Inc. to provide cemetery consulting services. In the spring of 2014, PARD began the Cemetery Vision Plan process to develop a master plan for Austin's five municipal cemeteries. 

The City of Austin manages five municipal cemeteries:

Cemetery Name Location Date Established
Oakwood Cemetery 1601 Navasota Street 1839
Oakwood Cemetery Annex 1600 Comal Drive 1914
Evergreen Cemetery 3310 East 12th Street 1928
Austin Memorial Park 2800 Hancock Drive 1927
Plummers Cemetery 1204 Springdale Road c.1898

Project Description

This was the first master planning effort for the City’s five historic municipal cemeteries, which include Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, Evergreen Cemetery, Oakwood Cemetery, Oakwood Cemetery Annex, and Plummers Cemetery. The Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) greatly appreciates the time and effort of our community members, volunteer board and commission appointees and elected officials that helped PARD deliver a high-quality and consensus-based plan to the Austin City Council.

Awards

2017 National Planning Achievement Award Gold - Urban Design

2017 Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects Merit Award for Austin’s Historic Cemeteries Master Plan

2016 Preservation Texas Honor Award

2016 Preservation Austin Merit Award

2016 Project Plan Award from Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association

Publications

"Designing for the Dead: The Perfect City Cemetery," Next City, March 6, 2015

"Graveyard Shift," Landscape Architecture Magazine, Sept., 2015

"Death Next Door: How Austin's Cemetery Master Plan preserves the urban bural ground," Curbed, March 16, 2016

Final Plan

Select the following links to view the final Historic Cemeteries Vision Plan:

Individual Site Plans

Appendices

Community Engagement

PARD and the consultant team held five public meetings in 2014-2015 and employed a variety of engagement tools to garner input from the community. In addition to public meetings, engagement tools included stakeholder interviews, monthly newsletters placed in libraries & recreation centers, cemetery signage, media advisories, announcements on social meetings and direct emails to community members.

Board, Commission & City Council Process

Link to actions taken to date by boards and commissions.

Board, Commission or Council Body Time & Date Location Website         Action       

Urban Forestry Board 

 

5:30 pm, Apr. 15

Northwest Rec. Center

Link

Briefing provided; action deferred to May 20 

Historic Landmark Commission

7:00 pm, Apr. 27

City Council Chambers, City Hall

Link

Briefing provided; action deferred to May 18 

Land, Facilities & Program Committee of PARB

6:00 pm, May 11

PARD Annex

Link

Recommended the plan to the PARB 
Preservation Plan Committee of the Historic Landmark Commission  5:00 pm, May 12 Room 525, One Texas Center Link No quorum; staff to make recommendation

Historic Landmark Commission

(Briefing made Apr. 27; Action deferred to May 18)

7:00 pm, May 18 Room 325, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd. Link

Recommended plan to City Council; Select this link to view additional recommendations 

Urban Forestry Board 

 

5:30 pm, May 20

Northwest Rec. Center, 2913 Northland Dr.

Link Recommended plan to City Council; Select this link to view additional recommendations 

Parks & Recreation Board

6:00 pm, May 26

Boards & Commissions Rm, City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.

Link

Recommended plan to City Council
Environmental Board 6:00 pm, June 17 City Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St. Link

Recommended plan to City Council; Select this link to view additional recommendations 

Planning Commission

6:00 pm, Jun. 23

City Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 W. 2nd. St.

Link

Recommended plan to City Council; Select this link to view additional recommendations

Open Space, Environment & Sustainability Committee of Austin City Council

2:00 pm, June 24

Boards & Commissions Rm, City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.

Link

Recommended plan to City Council

Austin City Council

Sept. 17, 2015

City Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 W. 2nd. St.

Link Approved

Contact

For questions about the Historic Cemeteries Master Plan, contact  Kim McKnight, Program Manager, Parks and Recreation Department, by email or by phone at (512) 974-9478.