Three days ago, journalist Kasha Patel in the Washington Post sounded the alarm that climate change is damaging soil worldwide.
I'm concerned that the Parks Department may not be taking soil preservation seriously enough.
My Zilker Park photos on 03-30-2025 show excessive mud and mulch on sidewalks and roads; mud is entering the drainage culvert in the parking lot above Barton Springs Pool.
Roadways leading up to the Pool are full of mud. It is an indication of poor soil quality and the potential of even more severe soil loss this summer when temperatures rise.
This mud is now entering a drainage culvert near Barton Springs Pool.
Mud on sidewalk is dangerous for bikes.
Meanwhile, excessive mulch is on top of sidewalks -- where it is dangerous for bike riders -- and adjacent to Eliza Springs. The mulch appears to be part of the Zilker Train/APF concession. Maybe APF could be asked to better maintain the area around their concession.
Several temporary berms appear to be at the end-of-useful-life. They are turning into sources of mulch that may float downhill toward the Springs, possibly entering the drainage culvert during heavy rains.
Entire hillsides continue to show signs of severe erosion after ACL Fest. Is there a permanent solution? Maybe these should be formally terraced to hold soil and provide safe pedestrian steps.
Looking at the south side of Barton Springs Road, Zilker Park is showing signs of soil wear-and-tear that would benefit from springtime maintenance, when seedlings might grow. How long can we allow informal pathways to get wider and wider without fences to guide footsteps?
Last, this is Stratford Drive where cars enter the Butler Landfill parking lot. Maybe the Transportation and Public Works Department could remedy?
