Grow Zones
Grow Zones
The City of Austin Parks and Recreation (PARD) and Watershed Protection (WPD) departments are working together to improve riparian zones in nineteen city parks.
What is a riparian zone? The riparian zone is the transition area between the aquatic environment in the creek channel and the terrestrial environment outside the channel. |
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Benefits of riparian zones:
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What is the City doing?
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What should park users expect?
As the plant community recovers, some areas may have taller, much less manicured vegetation. It can take between 5 and 10 years to develop a diverse vegetation community, so patience is important!
Who will track progress and/or success?
- WPD will evaluate changes annually; implement adaptive riparian restoration practices as needed.
- Volunteer participation is encouraged through the Keep Austin Beautiful, Adopt-A-Creek Program.
City of Austin Research Findings:
Early results suggest that establishing Grow Zones adjacent to creeks will significantly reduce soil compaction, soil pH, and vegetation gaps and significantly increase soil moisture, vegetation structure, and canopy cover (shade).
Parks to Receive No Mow Zones:
- Bartholomew Park
- Bull Creek District Park
- Givens Park Lady Bird Lake, downstream/east of I35
- Commons Ford Park
- Blunn Creek Greenbelt, upstream of Monroe
- Dittmar Park
- Buttermilk Greenbelt
- Dottie Jordon Park
- Boggy Creek Greenbelt
- Gillis Park
- Robert E. Lee tributary (Zilker park)
- Tarrytown Park
- North Star Greenbelt
- Reed Park
- Battle Bend
- Shoal Greenbelt (shoal edge ct.)
Questions: Please contact Mateo Scoggins, WPD, 512-974-2550, email
Website: www.austintexas.gov/watershed/creekside