Auditorium Shores is located just south of downtown Austin along the shores of Lady Bird Lake. This 57-acre park is used for lots of annual events: Austin Marathon, Cap10K, Turkey Trot, Austin’s New Year, Keep Austin Weird Fest, Cowboy Breakfast, Austin Food and Wine Festival, Fun Fun Fun Fest, plus many more. With all that use, the park looked more like a dust bowl and was definitely overdue for improvements.
Renovation work at Auditorium Shores started last November, right after Fun Fun Fun Fest. Four phases of construction allow some sections of the park to still be used, but most major events have been moved to nearby Butler Park or other locations. The Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is being diverted, but will remain open, throughout the project.Last week, the center section of Auditorium Shores was reopened. Sprinklers were installed, and hardy turf was planted in what is now called the West Lawn. This section looks more inviting now, with large shady trees and some green grass. Over near the First Street Bridge, prep work is complete and concrete has been poured for an expanded parking lot. I’m not sure about that big hole in the center…hopefully this is part of the plan. The Fannie Davis Gazebo was renovated in 2012 and now the rest of that corner is being spruced up. Decking is being added, plus water stations, plantings, and benches.
The large area in front of The Long Center was plowed up yesterday and will become the Event Lawn. Work to move the off-leash dog area to the western corner should start later this month. The entire project is planned to complete next spring.
One thing that won’t be changing at Auditorium Shores: Stevie Ray Vaughn will still stand guard over the shores of Lady Bird Lake.
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Yo, Stevie Ray! Thank goodness he gets to stay. Eager to see the improvements.