Whose Park Is It?

Austin Parks Foundation calls on locals for park cleanup day with tasty local perks

Austinites embark on their It's My Park Day adventures before getting thank-you shakes and beers.

As the leaves change hues and the crisp autumn breeze sweeps through Austin, it's a reminder of not just the changing seasons but of the city's enduring love for its parks and open spaces. As being outside starts getting a little more friendly again, Austinites have a chance to beautify and protect their neighborhoods through a popular seasonal volunteer program.

The Austin Parks Foundation invites Austinites to show their love for their local green spaces through It's My Park Day (IMPD) on Saturday, November 4.

IMPD is a community-led event designed to improve and transform the parks, trails, and greenbelts throughout the city, including sites like Rosewood, Georgian Acres, and Ponciana Neighborhood Parks. This year is particularly special as it marks the 20th anniversary for the event.

"For 20 years, It's My Park Day has unified volunteers from across Austin to enhance their local parks and foster a sense of community," said Austin Parks Foundation CEO Colin Wallis in a press release. "All projects are spearheaded by community members, encouraging neighbors to participate, lend a hand, and connect with fellow park enthusiasts from all walks of life."

It's My Park Day is set to mobilize thousands of Austin residents across the city. Volunteer projects encompass city-approved tree mulching, root collar clearing, habitat restoration, and trail maintenance. In total, the day encompasses more than 80 different projects aimed at enhancing the green spaces in and around Austin.

Community members who take an interest in a park near them can claim that workspace in advance. Every registered volunteer will receive a special 20th-anniversary T-shirt that grants access to discounts or freebies at giveback partner locations:

One free small shake from all Austin-area P. Terry’s stands (including San Marcos and Bastrop)
One free Parks & Rec beer from Zilker Brewing at the Zilker Brewing Taproom (1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702)
Buy one beer, get one beer free from Big Country Organic Brewing Co. at the Big Country Taproom (2400 Patterson Industrial Drive, Austin, TX 78660)

The Austin Parks Foundation hosts myriad events throughout the year, encouraging community members to get involved in the improvement projects happening in their area. Locals can continue the volunteering spirit by assisting with IMPD tools and supply drop offs on November 5 and 6, or helping clean up the trees and mulch at the Onion Creek Doggy Park for Neighborhood on November 11.

Registration is now open for this largest city-wide volunteer event at austinparks.org. Volunteers should be ready to start at 9 am, and work finishes around 12 pm for most.

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New

Historic Austin museum will close for more than a year for restoration

Photo courtesy of the City of Austin

The Elisabet Ney Museum will close at the end of 2024 and reopen in mid-2026.

Every building needs some maintenance here or there, and the historic Elisabet Ney Museum needs some extra-special care. Formerly the art studio and residence of its namesake, it's been standing since 1892. It'll spend 2025 in relative solitude, as it undergoes renovation for a year and a half with no visitors allowed.

The museum will close to the public December 30, 2024, and open again in the summer of 2026 if all goes according to plan, a news release from the City of Austin shares. It'll be a quiet period compared to the 21,000 people visiting from around the world each year.

According to a museum overview on the city's website, Elisabet Ney, a European portrait sculptor, bought the property and called her new studio Formosa. She worked on sculptures depicting important Texans like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, and collected works of European contemporaries.

The building at 304 East 44th St. includes 3,700 square feet of museum space, which was converted by Ney's friends after her death in 1907. It retains its unique look that juxtaposes a Neo-Classical main studio from 1892 with a later addition from 1902 including a tower for her husband, Edmund, to write in. It is also on 2.5 acres of land, which has largely been restored to its natural state with native species.

A press release lists these tasks (verbatim) within the scope of the new work, referred to as the Capital Improvement Project (CIP):

Restoration of original exterior wood doors and windows
Upgrades and replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
Replacement of the exhibit and general lighting systems
Repairs to the roof, masonry, plumbing, and interior finishes.

There will also be work to do outside of the building. Workers will replace the pedestrian bridge across Waller Creek, stabilize a 20,000-square-foot portion of the bank, and make the grounds more accessible by adding new pathways.

Funding comes from several sources, according to a release: "the 2012 Bond, Proposition 14, the Parkland Dedication Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, Partners in Preservation through the National Trust, and contributions from the Friends of the Elisabet Ney Museum."

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