Parking reduced at Austin parks, Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake converted to 'one-way'

AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department has made some new changes as it continues to try to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has decreased parking access for downtown parks, district parks, and neighborhood parks to increase physical distancing by park and trail users. The decrease in access is aimed at discouraging crowding at parks.

Parks within bounds of MoPac, Barton Springs Rd., I-35, and 15th St. will all have reduced parking in addition to all District parks and Neighborhood parks with parking lots. Residents can view the PARD parkviewer app to identify parks within these areas.

Signage, gate closure, barricades, and regular patrols will remind the community of the parking closures. Park Rangers will continue to educate and push for compliance by the public.

Officials have also converted the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake to a "one-way" trail. The changes began on April 13 and it is expected to be fully completed by April 17.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to support individuals with mobility impairments for access and use of the parks and trails, including but not limited to multi-directional use of the Ann and Butler Hike and Bike Trail.

In addition the above changes, officials remind the public that the following PARD facilities and ground will remain closed:

All Recreation Centers
All Cultural Centers
All Museums
All Senior Centers
All Aquatic Facilities
Barking Springs/Spillway below Barton Springs Pool
All Golf Courses. Golf walking is not allowed as of April 6.
All Tennis Centers
All Playgrounds
Zilker Botanical Garden
Zilker Caretaker House
Old Bakery & Emporium
All Special Event facilities
Emma Long Metropolitan Park Campsites
Park amenities including, but not limited to: basketball courts, tennis courts, skate parks, playgrounds, disc golf courses, exercise equipment and pavilions.

For more information on park closures from the City of Austin you can go here. For details on Travis County park closures you can go here.

FOX 7 Austin is working to keep you up to date with coronavirus, with both local and national developments. Every weekday we're live at 12 p.m. with a special show reporting the latest news, prevention tips and treatment information.

You can watch live in your FOX 7 Austin app or on the FOX 7 Austin Facebook page.

You can also get the latest COVID-19 news from around the country at coronavirusnow.com.