Austin Parks Board Questions City Council on Bypassing Public Input on Lady Bird Lake Boat Rental Concession

Members of the Parks and Recreation Board has voiced out their intention to seek explanation from the City Council on why public input was bypassed in enacting a contentious 2019 ordinance. This ordinance permitted an adventure excursion company—The Expedition School, to run a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake without the mandatory public process.

City Hall passed this ordinance in 2019 which allowed the Expedition School to operate the boat rental concession on the pristine Festival Beach site of Lady Bird Lake located in East Austin. However, board members feel that this measure may have bypassed normal procedures for public consultation.

The Advent of the Expedition School’s Lake Concession

The Expedition School, a recognized outfit for its services to people with disabilities and for teaching lifeguard skills, and water safety, has operated near the Camacho Activity Center on Festival Beach since 2006. The board feels that the Council’s decision to waiver sections of the city code to allow the school to run the concession seems unexplained, especially since the location is high-profile parkland on the north shore of Lady Bird Lake.

Furthermore, the parkland is theoretically managed under the guidelines of the Holly Shore/Edward Rendon Sr. Park Master Plan. This master plan is a product of years of effort by neighboring communities who are keen on maintaining the area’s Mexican American heritage and culture.

Bypassing of Public Input – A Bone of Contention

The bypassing of public input, which is usually a standard procedure for proposed concessions along the lake, has frustrated neighbors and community members. Elisa Rendon Montoya, a resident with deep familial roots in the neighborhood, voiced her opposition against the concession operation at Edward Rendon Sr. Park. She raised concerns about the potential environmental impact the concession could have due to the location of the boat dock in the lake’s lagoon area.

Similarly, Daniel Gomez commended the board for creating a platform to address the issue. He questioned the motive behind the ordinance, suggesting it contradicts previous promises made to neighbors about concession-free parkland.

Board’s Stance on the Issue

Board Member Kathryn Flowers captured the board’s sentiments about Council’s decision to stifle community input. She acknowledged the board’s limitations in righting the situation, considering that the event took place five years ago. However, she expressed her willingness to entertain possible suggestions for prolonging the discussion.

Concurring with Flowers, Board Member Holly Reed committed to bringing a resolution to discuss at the next parks board meeting. The entire scenario presents a situation where, despite the limitations, the board is eager to uphold community input and discussions in matters that affect communal spaces like parks and lakes.