Williamson Creek: Donde Corre El Agua I Where the Water Runs

Background

The site is a forested area along the creek where homes stood until a major flooding event in the 90’s. Elders in the Dove Springs neighborhood hold memories of the flood, but also of strolls in the park, candying pecans and maintaining the forested area with their families. In 2001, the City of Austin acquired the land and constructed a floodwall to protect the rest of the neighborhood. Since then, residents have utilized the sites for natural trails and gathering areas. Today, partners from across the city are working together to develop a park that will be meaningful for members of the Dove Springs Community.

The project began when three long-time residents, Blanca Ortíz, Elena Rodríguez and Enedina Sánchez, adopted a section of Williamson Creek in the Dove Springs neighborhood. In 2020, seeing that the park was in need of improvement, the Creek Adopters initiated a project to transform the natural area. After building partnerships, community members began to share their personal memories and knowledge of Dove Springs and channeled those ideas to develop the park design alongside planning professionals and students. Interviews and structured walks through the park provided opportunities for community members to share their experiences of the space, and photography, mental mapping, drawing and participatory design methods helped facilitate the community activated park project proposal. Throughout the process, community members of Dove Springs mapped the area, documented residents’ perspectives on the park, engaged in multi-generational dialogue, and designed prototypes for murals and interpretive signs. Visit the plan webpage for more information.

Project Description

The first phase of development for Williamson Creek includes new nature trails and site amenities.

Community Engagement

In developing the concept plan, Dove Springs neighborhood was engaged through a series of collaborative processes from July to November 2020, including a series of meetings to develop the research and design process, site visits, an amenity preference survey, mural design and interpretive sign drawing sessions, and workshops to analyze the information that was collected. An important aspect was that youth and elders worked together to share their hopes for the space and their memories of experiences there. After a discussion of the area’s history with elders, local youth designed murals and incorporated themes that felt important for their neighborhood. These drawings are included in the final report.

Anticipated Timeline

• Summer 2020: Community based research and outreach (complete)
• Winter 2021: Synthesis of findings and generation of report (complete)
• Summer 2022: Final report presented to the Parks and Recreation Board (complete)
• Fall 2024: Permitting and Bidding Phase (in progress)
• Winter 2025: Construction of nature trails to begin
• Spring 2025: Construction of formal trailhead to begin
• Fall 2025: Trail complete and open to the public

Community Resources 

Neighborhood Partnering Program

• Through the Public Works Department, community groups and members can propose changes to the public spaces where people live, work, and play.  

Community Activated Park Projects (CAPP)

• CAPP provides an opportunity for neighbors, non-profits, and community groups to raise funds and in-kind contributions to implement park improvement projects that align to Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) goals and meet community priorities.  

Adopt-A-Park

• The Adopt-A-Park Program helps citizens like you become park stewards through a partnership between the Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) and Austin Parks Foundation (APF).  

Contact 

For additional information or assistance, please get in touch with the following contacts:

Parks and Recreation: Rachel Morris, Landscape Architect, at rachel.morris@austintexas.gov or by phone at (512) 974-9460.

Go Austin Vamos Austin!: Frances Acuña, frances@goaustinvamosaustin.org