Eilers (Deep Eddy) Neighborhood Park Concept Plan
Current Engagement Opportunities
- Community Survey 1 (open through September 6)
City Council District 10
Project Summary
Austin Parks and Recreation has begun the concept planning process for Eilers (Deep Eddy) Neighborhood Park, an 8‑acre park located 401 Deep Eddy Avenue along Lady Bird Lake. The plan will guide future improvements to park amenities, accessibility, recreational use, environmental restoration, and improved circulation and access. Deep Eddy Pool is within the park boundary but is not part of this planning effort.
Background
Most of the land that makes up Eilers (Deep Eddy) Neighborhood Park today was purchased by the City of Austin in 1935 from A.J. Eilers. The following year, a new bathhouse was constructed to serve the existing pool and was funded through the Works Progress Administration.
The park now includes a playground renovated in 2018 with shade structures, a small picnic table area, a dock, a community garden, a nearby trailhead leading into the Eilers (Deep Eddy) Neighborhood Park Trail, and a portable building used by Park and Recreation staff. The site also features riparian landscape along the lake and large, mature trees that create a dense shade canopy throughout the park.
Project Description
The Eilers (Deep Eddy) Neighborhood Park Concept Planning Process will develop an illustrated concept plan that evaluates existing site conditions, identifies opportunities for recreation and environmental restoration, and proposes a future layout for improvements and park circulation. The plan will also include an implementation strategy, phased recommendations, and probable cost estimates. Community engagement will take place in multiple rounds to guide the planning process.
The planning process will take place from summer 2026 through early 2027.
Objectives
The concept plan will explore the following opportunities and considerations:
Alignment with Department goals and recommendations identified in Our Parks, Our Future Long-Range Plan (LRP),
Existing uses, opportunities and constraints identified through site analysis,
Community priorities developed through engagement,
Restoration of property to more natural and sustainable conditions particularly within the floodplain and along the riverbank,
Future trail extension opportunities west of the park (LRP, p. 156),
River access for safe recreation including kayaks and canoes,
Opportunities to increase shade throughout the park,
Improvements to the existing playground area and inclusion of nature play element(s) or seating,
- Removal and management of invasive plant species,
- Accessibility improvements consistent with ADA standards,
- Park wayfinding enhancements with a clear, welcoming visitor experience,
- Evaluation of parking lot circulation, capacity, and safety,
- Opportunities for additional pedestrian, bike, and vehicular access to the park, and
- Evaluation of existing storage areas and park support facilities located between Hearn St. and Deep Eddy Ave.
Anticipated Schedule
Summer 2026:
- Project Kickoff
- Site Analysis and Existing Conditions
- Community Engagement Round 1: Discover Eilers
Fall:
- Development of Preliminary Concepts
- Community Engagement Round 2: Explore the Options
- Draft Concept Plan
- Community Engagement Round 3: Confirm the Vision
Winter:
Final Concept and Summary
Communications and Engagement
The planning process includes three rounds of community engagement and a final update. Engagement will include online surveys, pop‑up events in and around the park, small group conversations, and outreach through flyers, mailers, email updates, and social media. Community input will directly shape preliminary concepts and the final plan. Summaries of each engagement round will be shared on the project webpage.
Round 1: Discover Eilers (in progress)
“Discover Eilers” aims to build momentum and awareness with the surrounding community served by the park. Round 1 will collect data to determine what programmatic elements should be included in the preliminary park concepts.
- Community Survey 1 (open through September 6)
Round 2: Explore the Options
“Explore the Options” aims to share the results of Community Engagement Round 1 with the community, present two preliminary conceptual plans to the participants and determine community preferences between the two preliminary conceptual plans to guide the development of the final conceptual plan.
Round 3: Confirm the Vision
“Confirm the Vision” aims to confirm that the final conceptual plan developed is consistent with the community feedback received during the first two rounds of community engagement.
Funding and Resources
RVI Planning + Landscape Architecture was selected as the consultant for this project. Consultant services include site analysis, concept development, mapping and probable cost deliverables with a budget of $110,000. Friends of Deep Eddy are providing $36,000 for the site and context analysis phase of the project. The remainder is from the general fund.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact Gregory Montes, project manager, by email at Gregory.Montes@austintexas.gov or by calling 512-974-9458.