Emma Long Metropolitan Park Improvements

Emma Long Metropolitan Park is a large metropolitan park with a diverse user base and a variety of amenities and recreational opportunities. Situated along Lake Austin, the park offers woodland trails, boating and water activities, camping, a motorcycle course, an archery range, and camping facilities. Phase 1 Improvements were completed in late 2022. District 10

Update

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Phase I Improvements to Emma Long Metropolitan Park is scheduled for March 24, 2023 at noon. Details can be found at the link below.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park Phase I Improvements Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

View of renovated restrooms

Background

The metropolitan park stands apart from other City of Austin parks due to camping, motocross trails, and pet-friendly trail options. Other amenities include 66 campsites for RV and tent camping, restrooms, a water treatment pump house (operated by Austin Water), boat ramps, several piers, volleyball courts, and an archery range.

In early 2017, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) completed a Vision Plan and received approval for the plan from the Parks and Recreation Board. The vision plan for the metropolitan park prioritized incremental improvement recommendations that support existing and future park uses and programming opportunities. The project proposes to repair aging or failing infrastructure for long-term sustainability and durability while preserving the historical and cultural features of the metropolitan park. The scope includes architectural and site improvements to the bathhouse and plaza, an extension of walking trails, new volleyball courts, new group camping areas, improved infrastructure, and accessibility modifications.

Vision Plan

In the Fall of 2016, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) completed a robust community engagement phase which culminated in a comprehensive planning document.

Vision Plan Image

Vision Planning Documents

Community Engagement

A summary of community engagement for the planning phase of the meetings and materials to date is shown below:

Public Meeting #3

Saturday, July 16, 2016, 9:30-11:30 AM, at Emma Long Park 1600 City Park Rd.

View Public Input Report

Meeting Materials:

Park Vision Plan English Park Vision Plan Spanish Boat Ramp and Water Access Central Lawn, Swimming, and Day Use Secondary Lawn and Passive Shoreline Circulation and Camping Areas Public Involvement, Comparisons, and Staff Recommendations

Focus Group Meeting

January 12, 2016, 6:00-8:30 PM, at Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church

View the Focus Group Meeting Report

Public Meeting #1

Saturday, November 14, 2015, 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM, at Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Meeting Materials:

Handout Station Boards Presentation Boards Meeting and Input Report

Proposed Concepts:

Preliminary Park Plan
Boat Ramp and Water Access Central Lawn, Swimming and Day Use Circulation, Tent and RV Camping Use Secondary Lawn and Passive Shoreline City Park Road Traffic Improvements

Public Meeting #2

Tuesday, April 5^th, 2016 6:00-8:00 PM, at Canyon View Event Center - Austin Board of Realtors, 4800 Spicewood Springs

View Public Input Report

Meeting Materials:

Presentation: Public Involvement and Input Demographic, Outdoor Recreation and Camping Trends Meeting Station Boards

Project Description

The scope includes architectural and site improvements through a phased approach to the construction of Phase I. The main portion of the work will occur in the central bathhouse and plaza area. Additional work includes an extension of the walking trails through the central lawn, provisions for landscaping, new volleyball courts, group camping areas, a reservable picnic area, a nature-based discovery area, infrastructure for mobile food trucks, and associated code and accessibility improvements.