'A mud pit': Concerns raised over Reed Park water quality improvement project

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A project meant to improve water quality in a popular Austin Park has some people concerned that their park could turn into a mud pit.

"When I was a young kid I played here all the time," said James Page, a member of Friends of Reed Park. "We would park our bikes over there and just play football for hours."

Reed Park has a large field near the entrance, but with plans being discussed for a water quality improvement project, some neighbors fear the field's size will be greatly reduced.

"As I dug into the plans further I realized the watershed plan was actually going to take our open field." said Cameron Campbell, who is also a member of Friends of Reed Park. "The picnic table and the benches, the dedicated benches-- all these areas would not be accessible anymore."

According to the Reed Park Water Quality Improvement Project page, "This project will improve water quality with the installation of a biofiltration pond that will double as a play field during dry weather conditions. It will also reduce erosion and restore the natural habitat of the channel through channel improvements and the use of native vegetation."

"It is one of our lowest scores for water quality in the city, so the idea is to use Reed Park in order to have a slightly depressed area that would collect water for the creek, collect water before it goes back to the creek," said Janae Spence, assistant director City of Austin Watershed Protection Department.

Page said he is all for ways to improve water quality but doesn't see why it has to impact a popular space where many kids play sports. He is also concerned because of what he saw at Battle Bend Park-- a park with a similar water quality improvement project.

"When we got to Battle Bend Park, we saw that the field was inoperable-- basically a mud pit," Page said.

"We are very committed to making sure we get that [Battle Bend Park project] in the condition we promised the community, and we are aware it is not there right now," said a city employee during a committee meeting

KXAN asked the Watershed Protection Department about the issues at Battle Bend Park.

"We are actually addressing that with a project right now," Spence said. "We are out there trying to remediate that issue so that we no longer have issues there and we are hoping it will perform as we originally anticipated."

Spence said there were some unforeseen issues with water seeping into the area in Battle Bend Park.

Campbell and Page are hoping a compromise can be made. They also hope the city will listen to patrons of the park.

Spence said they will be having more meetings to hear from people who use the park. She said they have made some changes after getting feedback as well, but the project is not in the design phase at this time.