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City Cast Austin

Let us help you find Mother Nature in this concrete jungle.

Kelsey Bradshaw

, but Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest Pool has been around a while.

The pool turns 70 this year and the city is throwing a party 

. Entry fees will be waived for the party, which starts at noon and includes snacks, drinks, old photos, memorabilia, and a look at the pool’s recent renovation. The pool is located at 7000 Ardath St., just west of Burnet Road in North Austin.

Before it was a pool, the parkland where the water is now was the quarry that 

supplied the limestone for the state’s capitol

 building. The city purchased the parkland in 1955 and completed it, along with a bathhouse, the following year. The modern circular bathhouse is the first of its kind in Austin.

“(The bathhouse) is a rare surviving example of mid-century civic design, and its preservation has been a priority through every renovation the site has undergone since,” 

The pool opened on July 28, 1956 for its first swim meet and was formally dedicated on Aug. 9, 1956. In its first month, more than 31,000 people visited the pool, outpacing Barton Springs Pool at the time. It’s important to note that Austin’s public pools were not desegregated 

Austin was allowed to qualify for national swim meets when the pool opened because of its 50-meter, Olympic size.

“Almost overnight, Austin had put itself on the competitive swimming map,” 

The pool was renamed in 2001 in honor of 

, a former parks and recreation director who played a key role in 

developing the city’s parks, pools, and greenbelts

. Sheffield’s daughter Sally and son Steve will be at the 70th birthday celebration.

The pool underwent a major renovation in the spring and now includes a refreshed lap pool, a zero-entry toddler pool, two shade structures, new benches, renovated bathhouses and family restrooms, and 

The pool is open every day except Thursdays 

Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest Pool turns 70 this year. 

How To Celebrate One of Austin’s Oldest Pools

Get to know the natural side of Austin: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Austin Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

 due to heavy rainfall in recent days. Here’s what you need to know:

The National Weather Service has recorded 4.17 inches of rainfall at Camp Mabry, the city’s main weather station, so far this month. Normally by July 19, the area records just 1.30 inches of rain.

Additionally, heavy rain in the Hill Country caused flooding, which pushed runoff from the Highland Lakes into Lake Travis, 

Lake Travis is considered full when it reaches 681 feet above sea level and as of Monday, the lake was 

The Lower Colorado River Authority opened two floodgates at Mansfield Dam on Lake Travis. The lake was built to capture floodwaters and hold them until they can be safely released downstream.

“The Highland Lakes system is operating as designed, moving water through the lakes in an orderly manner,” said John Hofmann, LCRA’s executive vice president of water.

 at Wirtz Dam on Lake LBJ and Starcke Dam on Lake Marble Falls.

The opening of the floodgates at Mansfield Dam caused 

fast water flow and an increase of debris

 in the waters beneath the dam, which include Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, and the Colorado River below Longhorn Dam. Recreational activities on those waterways are banned through 5 p.m. today.

Lake Travis Is Experiencing Some Closures

Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued an order banning recreational use on Lake Travis 

“Recent flooding has caused debris and hazards to collect along the Pedernales River and throughout Lake Travis. Because of this threat, it was imperative for Travis County to limit use of Lake Travis between mile marker 27 to 37,” Brown said.

To find the current status of a Travis County park, 

The lake is at capacity for the first time since 2019.

Lake Travis Is at Capacity. Here’s What That Means.

 number of run clubs, but you don’t have to love pounding the pavement to enjoy a free workout in this city.

Lots of free community fitness classes happen every week in Austin. Here’s a few to try:

YTX Austin is putting on free yoga classes at Republic Square Park on Tuesday nights through Aug. 11. The class is an hour long and starts at 6:30 p.m. The event runs until 9 p.m. and includes live music, a cold plunge, vendors, and raffles. 

Austin Parks Foundation is hosting free yoga classes at Zilker Park on Friday mornings through Sept. 4. The class starts at 7 a.m. and runs for an hour before ending with a jump into Barton Springs Pool. 

 and bring your own mat, water, and towel.

Did you know the Austin Parks and Recreation Department offers free fitness classes for adults every week? You have tons of workouts to choose from, including Zumba, pickleball, water aerobics, line dancing, and strength training. — 

November Project is a worldwide fitness organization that has a chapter in Austin. Meet the group at Waterloo Park on Wednesdays at 6 a.m. or at Butler Metro Park on Fridays at 6 a.m. for a free, 45-minute workout. Everyone is welcome and 

Free Workout Classes To Try in Austin This Summer

Austin’s 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats are a sight to see. The small creatures fly out from underneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge nightly during the summer, impressing the hundreds of Austinites and tourists who gather on and below the bridge to take in the flight. It’s one of Austin’s best attractions.

But let’s say you’re looking for more. You need more bats. You need more spectacle! Let me introduce you to Bracken Cave.

Bracken Cave Preserve is just a quick drive away in San Antonio and is home to a whopping 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats. Fifteen million! The cave is home to 

Watching them leave the cave in search of food is breathtaking. As the sun sets, the bats flit out of the cave one by one until you’re not sure what you’re looking at — is it actually bats or a small, dark tornado?

The bats swirl up and up and out of the cave. It is beautiful and stunning and so much fun. And the best news? You can visit Bracken Cave Preserve during the summer! Trust me when I say this is an activity for everyone. Kids and adults will marvel and the people in your life who don’t really care about bats will become their most fervent fans.

Bat Conservation International has a calendar for bat flights through September. Nighttime flights run 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and morning flights run 5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. When picking a date to visit, keep in mind that the cave is roughly 70 miles away.

Tickets are $32.55 per person and every person must have a ticket to attend. You can 

. If you want to schedule a group visit or private event for your organization, you can email: 

Bracken Cave is really popular, which means you need to buy your tickets as soon as you can. If a date you want to attend is sold out, you can join a waitlist in case someone drops out.

Bracken Cave Preserve is a must-visit this summer!

Can’t Get Enough of Austin’s Bats? Here’s Where To See 13.5 Million More

It’s no secret that Austin is full of out-of-state transplants — we 

, making the city the 12th biggest in the country. Don’t worry, City Cast Austin is a safe space for you! We’re not about to tell you to stop moving here, and instead, we come bearing tips on how to deal with your first or 10th Austin summer.

First thing to know: June is actually the best it’s going to be all summer. Savor the rainy weather we’ve been having and bask in temperatures while they remain under 100 degrees. OK, once you’ve faced that reality, here’s what else you need to know:

Whether you’re a born-and-raised Texan or you just got here from the East Coast, packing for the weather is essential. Before heading out, we suggest taking a full water bottle and some sort of cooling device for wherever you’re going. Get a 

 to throw in your bag or car and pull out when it gets too hot. You’ll be thankful you have ‘em! Also, water is a no-brainer. Please drink your water!

The thing about living here is that you have to become one with Austin’s pools. Springfed waters abound and if you’re not taking advantage, what are you doing? Get to 

 for a free, cool swim to wake you up. Make a habit of visiting your 

, too. You won’t even notice the heat once you become a regular!

If you have plans to exercise, garden, sit outside with an iced coffee, or literally anything else, do it in the morning. It’s the coolest part of the day during summer and well worth waking up for. Just don’t forget to still apply your sunscreen, wear a hat, and drink lots of water.

Listen, you live here now. Just lean into it. Are you sweating through your clothes? Whatever! Would you rather wait for a table inside? Obviously! Keeping your shades closed for three months isn’t weird. It’s all part of being an Austinite. 

Let's get ready for your first Austin summer.

How To Deal With Austin’s Summer Heat for Newbies

Starting Saturday, Austinites will have a new way to traverse downtown and it couldn’t be better.

The Confluence is a half-mile trail along Waller Creek that runs from Fourth Street to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail on Lady Bird Lake. A total of 1,600 trees, including a couple hundred bald cypresses, and 200,000 native plants were planted on the new trail. The project has been in the works since 2023 and cost $91.5 million, 

funded through city and private donations

On a recent morning, I got to take a tour of the trail and the phrases “wow, awesome” and “it’s gorgeous” came out of my mouth more times than I care to admit. It is a marvelous addition to downtown and meets the moment Austin is currently in: continued population growth in a city trying to keep up. The Confluence keeps up.

Whether you want to extend your walk around Lady Bird Lake by half a mile (or a whole mile if you do an out-and-back), or you need a better way to maneuver parts of downtown, the Confluence offers up a new way to experience Waller Creek.

The creek was previously the most eroded and damaged creek in downtown, said Jon Rigdon, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy’s chief planning and design officer. But with an infusion of plants, wildflowers, trees, and upcycled limestone, the creek has been transformed into a green space animals are already calling home.

Four types of herons, including snowy egrets, a beaver, a pair of red-shouldered hawks, and turtles have been spotted using the creek since its makeover.

“Nature came right back before we were done,” Rigdon said.

You’ll forget you’re in a congested part of downtown Austin when you’re on the Confluence. It’s surprisingly quiet, ripples of water whip by, and no cars are in sight. The trail is also great on the feet — parts of it are made with grippy, permeable pavement to allow water to flow through it instead of creating runoff during a rain event.

Now, this might be the best part. Temperatures are 5 to 7 degrees cooler on the Confluence due to its trees and proximity to water. While it was 81 degrees and sticky when I walked the trail, and it felt nice and breezy down there.

With the Waterline building opening in August, Rigdon hopes the trail will become a destination spot that tourists and locals want to visit. The bottom floor of the Waterline will eventually have boutiques and restaurants where trail users can stop off and shop at, grab a cup of coffee, or pop in to for a meal.

It will not be surprising when the Confluence becomes an honest-to-goodness destination. The lush greenery and wildflower patches it provides are wonderful and the addition of so many trees is a significant investment in the area’s future.

When asked what he wants the public to experience with the Confluence, Rigdon said: “That there’s this beautiful space of nature that is theirs.”

The new, half-mile trail runs along Waller Creek downtown.

Austin’s New Downtown Trail Is a Transportive Wonder

It’s officially summer, temperatures are rising, and that means it’s blue-green algae season here in Austin.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, has been detected in Austin waterways 

 after swimming in Lady Bird Lake. Algae thrives in warm water and it’s best to take precautions.

It’s best to believe harmful algae and other dangers like bacteria and parasites are always present in Austin waterways. The city suggests treating all algae as though it’s toxic.

“Although we keep an eye on the condition of our lakes and creeks, there is no amount of testing that could be done to assure them safe from all risk,” 

Stagnant water with scum, film, or algae mats on the surface are all signs that harmful algae may be present. Blue-green algae can show up as slimy blobs, 

typically dark green or dark blue with green

How To Keep Your Dog Safe in the Austin Heat

🚨 The City Tested a Prevention Program

Over the course of five years, city watershed officials applied 

clay to areas of Lady Bird Lake meant to starve blue-green algae

 and prevent it from growing. Areas included: Red Bud Isle, the boat ramp on the north shore of the lake west of Interstate 35, and the north shore of the lake between Interstate 35 and the lagoon behind the Festival Beach Boat ramp.

The program started in 2021 and involved workers spraying the clay from a barge into the water. This year, the city plans to observe the treated areas and evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Keep your animal out of algae-infested waters.

If your animal does end up in the water, make sure you rinse their fur afterward and keep them from licking their fur.

Symptoms your dog has ingested harmful algae can occur anywhere from 15 minutes to days after they’ve been exposed, 

Neurologic signs such as weakness, disorientation/confusion, collapse or unconsciousness, and seizures

If you see any of these symptoms, contact your dog’s vet as soon as possible to avoid injury or death.

Blue-green algae is harmful to dogs and people. 

What To Know About Austin’s Blue-Green Algae This Summer

In just a couple of weeks, a new section of 

, complete with three bridges, a boardwalk, and hundreds of added trees, will open to the public.

The Confluence is the second phase of Waterloo Greenway. The first phase was the opening of Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater in August 2021. Construction on the second phase started in May 2023 and will open on June 6 with a public celebration.

“Waterloo Greenway has always been about gathering the community, and with The Confluence, we are continuing to bring that vision to life as a welcoming and inclusive gathering place for all,” said Colette Pierce Burnette, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy CEO, in a news release.

The Confluence section of Waterloo Greenway spans 13 acres along Waller Creek between Fourth Street and Lady Bird Lake. It’s 

, was funded through city and private donations, officials say.

Roughly 1,600 new trees, 200,000 native plants, and 10 acres of seed mixes were added to the trail, and a biofiltration pond was built.

Lots of structures and walking paths were added, including:

Three lattice bridges over Waller Creek for east-west connection

A half-mile of new trail connecting the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, Rainey Street, and the hike-and-bike trail

ADA-accessible trail connections to the Mexican American Cultural Center and the hike-and-bike trail

A bridge connection to Waller Creek at Fourth Street

A grand opening celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. on June 6 at The Confluence.

, and includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, park tours, scavenger hunts, face painting, live music, art, and more.

What To Know About Waterloo Greenway’s Confluence Project

We all have a lumpy bag full of unwanted clothes for donation living in our cars or in the corner of a room. I’ve got great news if getting to a donation center has been last on your to-do list for too long: The city will pick up those clothes for you.

can now schedule appointments for clothing and textile pick-up

. You can make an appointment by calling 311, in the Austin Recycles app, or 

. You’ll be required to put your items in one, 13-gallon bag and set them outside by 5:30 a.m. on pick-up day.

“This program helps keep clothing out of the landfill,” the city said.

You can put almost anything in your donation pile:

After your donation is picked up, it is taken to the city’s Recycle and Reuse Center. From there, Goodwill picks the items up for reuse or recycling, officials say.

“Usable items may be resold in stores, while others may be repurposed into materials like cleaning rags,” the city said.

Austin Resource Recovery customers can also schedule pick-ups for 

bulk items, brush, and hazardous waste materials

Austin Is Now Offering On-Demand Clothing Pickup

Spring is the best. It’s the last stop before summer, flowers are blooming, and you’ve still got plenty of time to get your vegetable garden in tip-top shape.

With all the rain we’ve been having lately, it’s just cool enough to spend a morning outside in the garden. April is actually a great time to plant a whole bunch of summer produce favorites. 

According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

, April is the ideal time to plant the following in Travis County:

A transplant is a seed that has been grown inside and germinated for three to four weeks. This helps the roots withstand the move from inside to outside.

“The other reason to recommend transplants is the number of days it takes to harvest. Central Texas has two very short growing seasons. A crop like brussels sprouts just doesn’t have enough time in their ideal growing temperatures to amount to anything unless started as a transplant,” 

. (Brussels sprouts are best planted in January or February.)

One could really spend a whole day on the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension website learning about gardening and planting vegetables. But thankfully, they’ve got a 

 if you don’t have that kind of free time.

Apply preplant fertilizer to your garden.

Keep a record of what’s going on in your garden — things like when you plant, and when you water.

Water as needed and use mulch to conserve moisture.