To: Austin Community College, Mayor Steve Adler, and City of Austin
Let Tannehill Branch Creek flow again
As we work with the city and ACC to imagine a new future for Airport Boulevard and Highland Mall, I hope we can also be respectful of the past. A creek that once flowed should flow again. Fields where children played should become park space again. While Austin needs more density and mixed-use development, I think we should also set aside a small parcel of land next to Tannehill Branch Creek for a public green space — I propose we call it Orphan Park.
Why is this important?
When I visited the purple martins that come every summer to Highland Mall, I realized at one time it was their habitat on the former creek. I envisioned a beautiful water system with these birds, native plants and trees. Right now this creek is under Highland Mall in a drainage ditch.
http://travisaudubon.org/purple-martin-parties
As it is being redeveloped, we really need more green space in this area and the creek; the life it would provide to the creatures, fish, habitat and humans living there would be invaluable!
As we work with the city and ACC to imagine a new future for Airport Boulevard and Highland Mall, I hope we can also be respectful of the past. A creek that once flowed should flow again. Fields where children played should become park space again. While Austin needs more density and mixed-use development, I think we should also set aside a small parcel of land next to Tannehill Branch Creek for a public green space — I propose we call it Orphan Park.
From the article
https://northfieldna.com/2016/03/18/long-before-there-was-a-highland-acc-or-even-a-highland-mall/
http://travisaudubon.org/purple-martin-parties
As it is being redeveloped, we really need more green space in this area and the creek; the life it would provide to the creatures, fish, habitat and humans living there would be invaluable!
As we work with the city and ACC to imagine a new future for Airport Boulevard and Highland Mall, I hope we can also be respectful of the past. A creek that once flowed should flow again. Fields where children played should become park space again. While Austin needs more density and mixed-use development, I think we should also set aside a small parcel of land next to Tannehill Branch Creek for a public green space — I propose we call it Orphan Park.
From the article
https://northfieldna.com/2016/03/18/long-before-there-was-a-highland-acc-or-even-a-highland-mall/