AUSTIN: Park next to Long Center to be called "Butler Park"

[KevinFromTexas]

So, Town Lake Park now officially has a name. Even though Town Lake changed names to Lady Bird Lake, I rather liked the name Town Lake Park. I love the place.

From the Austin American-Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...1parkname.html

Park next to Long Center to be called "Butler Park"
Name honoring brick maker and original land owner beat out "Town Lake Park."

By Sarah Coppola
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, April 10, 2008

The new park next to the Long Center for the Performing Arts finally got a name today: Butler Park.

The Austin City Council chose the name to honor Michael Butler, an Irish immigrant who ran a successful brick-making business on the South Austin land in the late 1800s.

Butler's family donated the land to the city in 1941 to use for park space and honor Michael Butler's wishes. The city built the 21-acre park there last year.

"Butler Park" beat out "Town Lake Park," the name the city's parks board had recommended. That name would have honored the Town Lake Park Alliance, a group of residents that for two decades has pushed the city to reject high-density development proposals and build a park on the land.

The land sits near the south shore of Lady Bird Lake, which was renamed from Town Lake last year after the death of Lady Bird Johnson.

The council named a children's garden in the park after the alliance; a fountain after writer Liz Carpenter; a meadow for baseball player Willie Wells; and a hill for musician Doug Sahm.

A previous City Council named the land "Butler Civic Center" in 1964, but the name never quite stuck.

Council Member Mike Martinez said he was impressed by Michael Butler's humble beginnings and hard work, and his family's gift of land. Butler's bricks were used to build Austin landmarks such as the Capitol and buildings at the University of Texas.

"It was really significant to me to learn about the Butler family and the contributions that Mr. Butler made to the city," he said. "We wouldn't even be talking about this park had it not been for the family donating the land to us."

[KevinFromTexas]

A few photos I took of it in February. It was 82F that day.

[KevinFromTexas]

The Butler brick company as the article mentioned, supplied bricks to many of Austin's old buildings. My dad and I would go down to Waller Creek to collect bricks that had been washed in there years ago. There are thousands of old bricks (many of them way over 100 years old) that have washed in there through the years from floods. Some construction and demolition projects dumped them into the creek as well. Every time a good flood comes through the creek, the bricks are washed out of the sand. We gathered the bricks for walkways around our yard, a patio and even our driveway. So there's a little bit of Austin's history in our yard. We have several of the tan colored Butler bricks that we found in the creek making up our driveway. So I'm happy they chose that name for the park.

[shanny]

does the fountain go by a certain schedule...because i went there one night and it wasnt running

[Saddle Man]

I think it does. I have no idea what the schedule is though.

[KevinFromTexas]

Not sure. I haven't been back to the fountain at night since the park opened last year. However, it does run continuously it seems during the day.

Here's a picture I took of the fountain at night a few days after the park opened.

[Saddle Man]

I've been to the fountain in the day and in the evening more than a few times, and its never been on.

[LoneStarMike]

I was there Wednesday night about 9:00 pm and the fountains were on - but there were no colored lights. Actually there weren't ANY lights. I was kinda bummed.

[JAM]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

So, Town Lake Park now officially has a name. Even though Town Lake changed names to Lady Bird Lake, I rather liked the name Town Lake Park. I love the place.

No disrespect, but I like the old name better too. And so do a lot of other people, I hear this same statement all the time!

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Butler's family donated the land to the city in 1941 to use for park space and honor Michael Butler's wishes. The city built the 21-acre park there last year.

"Butler Park" beat out "Town Lake Park," the name the city's parks board had recommended. That name would have honored the Town Lake Park Alliance, a group of residents that for two decades has pushed the city to reject high-density development proposals and build a park on the land.

I like the park, glad it was built. When Austin is 6 million people, it will make a big difference. Sounds like it was properly named, although it sounds like TLPA deserves a little recognition.

[JAM]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythegreat

I've been to the fountain in the day and in the evening more than a few times, and its never been on.

I've been there 3 times at night (each one warm) and it was always on.

[paulsjv]

I love that park and walk there often. It's going to be a sad day when I have to move out of downtown in a few months. *sniff*

[Saddle Man]

Originally Posted by JAM

I've been there 3 times at night (each one warm) and it was always on.

My experience has been different.

[JAM]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythegreat

My experience has been different.

I noticed that. Have you tried it when it warm out?

[Saddle Man]

Warm, cold, day, and night.

[Jdawgboy]

The fountain does run on a schedule it goes through its routine then stops for about 10 to 15 minuets before it starts up again. At night the lights are on almost every night but I have heard they had been off every now and again. I was there about 2 weeks ago and they were on.

[Saddle Man]

I guess I've just had some bad timing. Oh well, it's no big deal.

[JAM]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythegreat

I guess I've just had some bad timing. Oh well, it's no big deal.

It is a big deal KKG. You haven't lived until you see the water/light show! Live KKG, LIVE!!!!

[Saddle Man]

KKtG.