Friends of Red Bud Isle (FORBI) Volunteer Project List
Notes: PARD approval is needed for all park projects

 

August 2011 Update:  Friends of Red Bud Isle is standardizing our method of submitting project request to PARD.   Project ideas are submitted, reviewed, revised by PARD.  If they are supported by PARD they will be approved.  Approved projects will be posted in the kiosk.  Here is a list of projects currently in the system:

 

Project: Parking Lot Review: Our request to discuss option to help with parking at Red Bud Isle was forwarded to the Planning Department.  Planning is reviewing options, which include various ways of adding 14-20 spaces.  9/8 Update:  There are various drawings for more spaces, one by an architect who visits Red Bud.  So far the options are expensive (~$10,000 per space) and no funding available from PARD.  A PARD supported survey to gather community consensus on the parking topic is being discussed.

Project: Muddy area at the Point:  This is the area at the point that fills with water is a muddy mess when it rains.   Proposal ideas were submitted to PARD in mid August.  PARD will support a decomposed granite solution and is waiting for more detail. 

Project: Invasive Plant Removal/Restoration: This is a continuation of an existing long term project at Red Bud. A CIIP form has been submitted to PARD to review this project and a preliminary meeting held to help identify the scope.  The scope would involve invasive plant removal and lots of restoration.  Update - we are drafting a master restoration plan for Red Bud Isle and will post it when ready for more input.

Project: Red Bud Isle tee-shirts:  This is a fundraising project in the works!

 

PARD Approved Projects:

Project: Poison Ivy control:  PARD has approved our project for manual control of poison ivy along the trail.  FORBI will pull up the plants manually or clip them back making a pass along the trails once a month, or as needed.

 

Completed Project:

Project: Tree Health Project:  Concern has been expressed with the frequent use of dogs urinating on trees as the enter park.  We submitted a request for a review by the Forestry Department to ensure the trees remain healthy.  The proposal also includes a request by FORBI to purchase more mulch for these trees.  SUMMARY - the recommendation was to add lots of mulch to all the trees near the entrance and water them until this drought ends.   FORBI had mulch delivered and it has been spread around these trees.

 

 

General Project Notes:

Ongoing - Park improvements being done with participation from volunteers:

 

Clean Up Red Bud Trails and the Street Entrance:  We will be looking at ways to improve the appearance of the park from the street entrance.  It is a tangle of vines, giant cane, and dead brush that collect trash.  This may be combined with invasive plant removal.  The fence idea along the street is unlikely as Red Bud is in a flood plane.  Discussions with PARD for this project are in the early phase.  PARD has plans to do some of this work the summer of 2011.

 

Non-Native Plant Removal:  The vast majority of invasive plants have been successfully removed from the park.  Ligustrum and giant cane near the park entrance still need to be removed.  On-going efforts will focus on maintenance of new growth hot spots.   Another pass at removing ligustrum is being discussed.  We work closely with PARD for all  invasive plant removal efforts at Red Bud Isle and we will post information on the kiosk and here. 

 

Parking issues - Parking at Red Bud Isle has become even more difficult, with few options available.   Revisions to the parking lot would be a very difficult project, lengthy with permitting (it is in a flood  plane), and expensive. 

 

Erosion Repairs - Permanent repairs are difficult to discuss as Red Bud experiences significant damage from flooding.  A drainage and storm water plan would help with identifying possible solutions.  Various city department would need to be involved to help develop this plan. 

 

 

PARD Notes from Public Meeting held on March 11, 2009 A community meeting was held on March 11, 2009 by Austin Parks and Recreation Department along with Austin Parks Foundation and the Friends of Red Bud Isle.  This meeting provided a platform to discuss recent projects and activities at Red Bud Isle and to offer suggestions.

 

Friends of Red Bud Isle - Completed Park Projects

In addition to items noted as on-going maintenance, the following projects have been completed and/or facilitated by Friends of Red Bud Isle:

ü      Worked with PARD Forestry to plant over 400 bare root seedling trees throughout Red Bud Isle (winter 2011).

ü      Planted native plants near the first water access point to help get grass established there.

ü      Painted the picnic tables and access gates to the park.

ü      Purchased 3 trash can receptacles for mutt mitt stations to hide the metal garbage cans.

ü      Purchased and installed 4 benches in main play area.

ü      Purchased and installed message-center kiosk.

ü      Purchased and installed lost & found basket on kiosk.

ü      Installed cedar fencing along west path at low-water dog entrance/play area.

ü      Repaired major erosion cut on eastern side of park near small play circle near far end of island. This is where a dog had been pinned by a dislodged rock.

ü      Small shore erosion repair steps on southwest tip of island. 

ü      Large shore erosion repair steps on southeast tip of island.

ü      Repair erosion gulley between large and small play areas near front of park.

ü      90% of invasive ligustrum and giant cane removed from 13 acres of parkland.

ü      Nursed dozens of trees back to health that had been choked out by giant cane.

ü      Cut back poison ivy throughout the park and hired a contractor to apply herbicide to control it..

ü      Created and maintain a RedBudIsle.org website.

ü      Installed 2 additional mutt mitt stations.

ü      Flagstone pathway connecting dog stairways at end of island.  Removed pathway.

ü      Purchased and installed of dog ball station. Removed due to lack of use.

Rejected, Shelved Park Projects

M   Fence along Redbud Trail (the street). Unable to do as Red Bud Isle is in a flood plane (would not get approval). 

M   Water fountain installation. Unable to do without significant financial investment. 

M   Creation of “small dog” play area – small designated area for small dogs to play, likely needs to be fenced area. Not necessary at this time.

M   Create natural stairs on back side of small play area where a rough footpath going to the eastern trail has been created.  Not necessary at this time.

M   Boat ramp repairs and reinforcements. Requirements spread across numerous city and county agencies as this is an emergency departments.. 

 

Pictures of First and Second Shoreline Repair Projects at the Point - 2008

Both shoreline projects were made possible by a grant from Austin Parks Foundation, PARD, community and business support and Friends of Red Bud Isle.   PARD engineered the project. American Youthworks Environmental Corps implemented the project.

The following companies donated towards this project - THANK YOU!:

After Picture: New steps to address erosion problems.

 

Before Picture: Popular dog entry point to the water before new steps were installed to curb erosion.

Another before picture
Another before picture
 

First Shoreline Repair Project at the Point:

Page last updated on 10/16/2011