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Republic Square Park Tomorrow
Austin Parks Foundation is engaged in a project to revitalize Republic Square Park and protect the square's historic Auction Oaks.
Austin Parks Foundation Sets Out to Protect Historic Auction Oaks
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For two weeks in the summer of 2008, a portion of Republic Square Park will be closed as part of efforts to improve the health of the historic Auction Oaks. Work during this two week period will include:
- Determining root zones of the oaks by using an air spade. This tool blows air to remove soil. It does not hurt the trees or roots but does create a large amount of dust and noise.
- Transplanting of four street trees--three from San Antonio and one from 4th St.--to a location on the east side of the park. Trees will be mulched and irrigated once they are moved.
- •Removal of the berm on the west side (San Antonio St) and a portion of the berm on the 4th St. side, as well stone wall and sidewalks around the Auction Oaks.
Work is being performed by Bartlett Tree Experts and Environmental Design, Inc. Funding is provided by the Austin Parks Foundation, through generous donations from C3 Presents, Inc from the 2006 Austin City Limits Music Festival, the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association and the General Services Administration.
More About the Project
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| Street view of TBG Partners design for Auction Oaks area |
Since early 2006, The Republic Square Partners, a group of local and federal government representatives as well as business and property owners and the Downtown Austin Alliance, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the Austin Parks Foundation have been meeting monthly to discuss improvements to Republic Square Parks.
Thanks to the GSA (General Services Administration) the owners of the future Federal Courthouse site, a two-day workshop produced by the Project for Public Spaces generated many ideas and suggestions from over 75 participants.
Beginning in January 2007, the Austin Parks Foundation began working with TBG Partners, Inc. to develop some conceptual ideas. TBG quickly focused on a portion of the park that could be improved in the short term, the historic Auction Oaks area in the southwest corner of the park. After many presentations, feedback sessions and meetings with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Republic Square Partners, plans for revamping and restoring the Auction Oaks area are now making their way through the city boards and commissions approval process.
Work includes berm and sidewalk removal in and around the oaks, transplanting of several street trees that are impacting the oaks' growth, and restoration of the area beneath the oaks. Design elements will include stone bollards and native plantings beneath the oaks. A specially constructed deck under the central oak will protect the tree roots and allow visitors to enjoy the shade on moveable chairs.
Next steps are to seek approvals from the Parks Board, the Landmark Commission and City Council. Funding for the project, estimated at $350,000, comes from the Austin Parks Foundation via proceeds from the 2006 Austin City Limits Music Festival, the Andrews Urban and Novare Companies, and the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association. Construction, if all approvals are received, is expected to begin in 2008.
Detail of TBG Partners design for Republic Square Park, showing
Auction Oaks area (SW corner of the park)
Austin Parks Foundation 701 Brazos Street, Suite 170 Austin, TX 78701 tel 512.477.1566 fax 512.477.1586 Copyright © 2007 Austin Parks Foundation. All rights reserved |
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