General Manager’s Note — May 2007

General Manager’s Note — May 2007

Written by CJ Geoffroy Monday, 07 May 2007

Summer memories made in Northwest Austin

Rising temperatures, outdoor activities and the end of school remind us that summer is here. For some reason, nostalgia always sets in this time of year and takes me back to my childhood. Long days of playing basketball with friends, riding my bicycle through the neighborhoods and swimming at the Balcones Country Club pool are memories I treasure.

My parents still live in the same Northwest Austin home I was raised in around the corner from Northwest Balcones Park. The park wasn’t there for me during my elementary school days, but I now enjoy it with my nieces and nephews from time to time. The Parks and Recreation Department has the task of keeping up with Northwest Austin’s growth, and there are now several parks in the Spicewood Springs Road/Scotland Well area built since 1990.

Recently, I attended a meeting with the Austin City Manager Toby Futrell in which she discussed last November’s election and the bond money being allocated to parks, for both renovation and land acquisition.

Although it is still in the negotiating process, and will more than likely be built just outside this newspaper’s distribution area, there is an $8.9 million north Austin Recreation Center that will soon serve the community. These park and recreation developments are so essential for children during their formative years.

In a society where parents are lining up outside big box stores just waiting to snatch up the latest and greatest in video game innovations, it’s good to remember past summers in which sitting in front of a television played no part.

For your convenience, we have compiled a summer guide to provide a glimpse of some of the many activities available to children and families alike. Austin is a unique city and the diversity of the guide reflects that. Hopefully, it will help you find that perfect nostalgia-producing activity.

CJ Geoffroy

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