South Austin Park is
threatened by proposed Tennis Center expansion
Light, noise,
traffic and drainage problems associated with the
Tennis Center already impact hundreds of residents
who live on the perimeter of the park.
The Galindo
Elementary Neighborhood Association (GENA) has voted
against and strongly opposes the expansion of the South
Austin Tennis Center. The expansion would dramatically
reduce the only open green space and collective multi-purpose
parkland in the neighborhood, have negative environmental
impacts, and diminish neighborhood quality of life. The
proposed expansion of the SATC, which already has 10
courts and is a large fixture in the park, would involve
cutting down many trees, adding over 85,000 sq. ft. of
additional impervious cover, and converting multi-use
community parkland to a single-use facility that is currently
rarely used to capacity. In fact, the $2,500,000.00 allocated
for the expansion would be more wisely and responsibly
spent on the many public courts around town that are
not used at all due to neglect by the Parks Department,
who claims not to have funding for maintenance.
While GENA supports any expansions
of City recreational facilities that improve and help
protect our community's assets, we do not view South
Austin Park as an appropriate location for the proposed
court expansion. South Austin Park is nestled within
a densely populated residential neighborhood with limited
green space and within a transportation infrastructure
unsuitable to accommodate the additional traffic generated
by expanded tennis center activity. Therefore, we hope
that an alternative site will be found that is more suitable
for a large tennis center.
What can you do to save South
Austin Park?
Email the Mayor, City Council
members and Zoning and
Platting Commission members.
Ask them to oppose the expansion of South Austin Tennis
Center. The South Austin Park site is entirely
unacceptable for expansion and would result in serious
negative traffic, safety, noise and drainage issues
in the neighborhood and the destruction of our park.
Collect signatures on the Save South
Austin Park Petition.
Print copies of the petition below
and collect as many signatures as possible. Post the petition where people can
sign to show their support. Please take responsibility
for petitions that you distribute. Call 636.8548 for
more information or to schedule submitting a
completed petition.
