Bolm District Park Vision Plan

Update

The Bolm District Vision Plan went before the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board Monday, November 25 during the regular monthly meeting and received a recommendation for support. The final adoption step is formal approval by the Parks and Recreation Director. Review the final draft of the plan here (PDF). The draft plan appendix is here (PDF). 

Background

Bolm District Park is made up of 68.1 acres of undeveloped land in East Austin. Located at 6700 Bolm Road, the city acquired this parkland in 2013. Named after the prominent Bolm family, who ran the largest laundry business in Austin in the 1920s, the site was primarily vacant or used for agriculture. In 1972, Capitol Aggregates purchased the property and began using it to store equipment, supplies, and stockpile aggregate. By 2008, the aggregate operations had ceased and the site is currently vacant. Approximately ten acres of the northwest portion of the property are being reserved for a future maintenance facility for the Parks and Recreation Department. 

Project Description

PARD has contracted with Halff Associates to assist in the development of the Bolm District Park Vision Plan. This plan will provide a framework of park programming and a conceptual site layout to guide the future development of the park. The Vision Plan is being developed through a review of City and PARD priorities identified in the 2020-2030 Parks and Recreation Long Range Plan, a site analysis of the park and surrounding properties, and community engagement. 

Community Values

The Community Values were created based on the Park Values Discussions from October 2023. These values continue to drive the planning process.

• Provide a variety of active, passive, natural, and cultural experiences for a multi-generational and multi-cultural community.    
• Preserve, enhance, and celebrate the parks existing natural features to allow park users to connect with nature.    
• Support accessibility to and within the park.    
• Develop the park as an environment that is safe, respectful, and inviting to all.

Anticipated Schedule

• Spring 2023: Site Analysis and Data Collection (Complete)
• Fall 2023: Community Engagement Round 1: Park Introduction (Complete)
• Winter 2024: Vision Plan Concept Options Development and Community Engagement Round 2: Concept Options Review (Complete)
• Spring 2024: Draft Vision Plan Concept Development and Community Engagement Round Complete)
• Winter 2025: Final Vision Plan Report Approval

Draft Park Concept

The following draft Bolm District Park Vision Plan report documents the planning process. Review the final draft of the plan here (PDF). The draft plan appendix is here (PDF).

The draft concept plan shown above includes many elements. View Draft Park Concept slides from the presentation (PDF, 27 MB) for more details.

Community Engagement

PARD and the planning team worked with community members to identify values and priorities for the Bolm District Park Vision Plan. Community engagement included a series of public meetings (both online and in-person). In addition to feedback captured during public meetings, surveys were used to document community members' input. Information on future and past community engagement events will be listed here.

Previous Community Engagement 

Round 1: Park Introduction

Pop-Up Events

• Pop-Up #1 at Govalle Elementary
  Wednesday, November 15, 2023 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  3601 Govalle Ave, Austin, TX 78702
• Pop-Up #2 at Govalle Neighborhood Park
  Saturday, November 18, 10 a.m. to noon
  5200 Bolm Road, Austin, TX 78721
• Pop-Up #3 at Montopolis Recreation and Community Center
  Saturday, December 9, 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.
   

Community Survey # 1 (Survey closed December 12, 2023)

• Summary report (PDF)
• Full results (PDF)

Community Meeting #1 (Virtual)
Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 5:30 p.m. (67 attendees)

• Presentation (PDF in English/español) 
• View Recording

Round 2: Design Concepts 

Pop-Up Events

• Pop Up #1 at Allison Elementary
  Wednesday, February 14. 2024. 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  515 Vargas Rd, Austin, TX 78741
• Pop Up #2 at Black History Month Kids' Day! 
  Saturday, February 24, 2024, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center
  1165 Angelina Street, Austin, Texas 78702
• Pop-Up #3 at Southwest Key Programs
  Wednesday, February 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  6002 Jain Lane, Austin, Texas 78721
• Pop-Up #4 at Cepeda Branch Library
  Tuesday, March 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  651 N. Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, Texas 78702

Community Survey # 2 (Survey closed March 24, 2024)

• Summary report (PDF)
• Full results (PDF)

Community Meeting #2 (Virtual Zoom)
Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 6:00 p.m. 

• Presentation (PDF in English/español)
• View Recording

Round 3: Vision Plan

Pop Up Events

• Pop-Up #1 at Latinapalooza
  Sunday, May 26 from noon to 2 p.m.
  Lampkin Pavilion in Rosewood Park
• Pop-Up #2 at Montopolis Neighborhood Center Food Distribution
  Wednesday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  1200 Montopolis Drive, Austin, Texas 78741
• Pop-Up #3 at Givens Recreation Center 
  Thursday, June 20 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
  3811 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78721

Community Survey # 3 (Survey closed June 24, 2024)

• Summary Report
• Full Results (PDF)

Community Meeting #3 (Virtual Zoom)
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 6:30 p.m.

• View draft park concept slides (PDF, 27 MB)
• Presentation English|español (PDF 36 MB)
• View Recording 

Stakeholder Outreach Small Group Meetings

• Park Values Discussion #1
  • Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
  • In-person at Cepeda Branch Library
  • Meeting Notes
• Park Values Discussion #2
  • Thursday, October 12, 2023, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
  • Virtual
  • Meeting Notes

Funding and Resources

This project is funded by the 2018 GO bond.

Contact Information

For more information or to provide feedback, please contact Charles Mabry by email or phone at (512) 974-9481.