Austin ends plan to close Barton Springs early, but tough conversations about services loom
Good news for Austin's night owls and moon howlers. Proposed changes to Barton Springs Pool's evening hours, which would have closed the iconic swimming hole at 9 p.m., are no longer happening. This means beloved one-hour nightly free swims, and full moon swims with their accompanying primal howls, can continue as usual.
Over the weekend, social media users posted photos of a sign at Barton Springs Pool indicating that effective June 1, the pool would close nightly at 9 p.m. This would have impacted post-sunset swims, a cherished part of Austin's culture. On most nights, pool access is free from 9 to 10 p.m. While free "swim at your own risk" hours from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. would have remained, the extended evening frolics were off the schedule.
The proposed changes would have meant an end to impromptu dips under the stars, potentially pushing famously wild full moon parties into earlier hours. Social media users expressed concern that Barton Springs' nocturnal allure would become less weird and a lot more … bedtime-friendly.
Jessica King, City of Austin Communication Director, told the Statesman on Tuesday that the city anticipated a deficit in this year's operating budget. To avoid the deficit, she said, the City Manager instructed all departments to find 1.5% in cost-saving measures.
While the Parks and Recreation Department did consider reducing pool hours as a way to save money, this idea was never officially approved. King said that City Manager T.C. Broadnax had not "decided if the cost savings achieved by reducing pool hours would justify the impact to our residents' experience."
Given that the summer season is already here and the city prefers "to provide residents with advanced notice on such changes" she said no changes to pool hours will be implemented at this time. However, King noted that "as we prepare for next year's budget, we must also prepare for tougher conversations across all department services."
Before the reversal, news of the potential early closure sparked a significant outcry on social media. Austinites took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their dismay and disappointment. Lifeguards United shared a photo of the announcement posted at the pool, saying no explanation had been given by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Many shared personal anecdotes of late-night swims, emphasizing the role Barton Springs Pool plays in the community. One user on TikTok commented, 'Free night swim saved my life when I went through a divorce, why did they end it without any notice?!'
Social media users expressed strong opposition to any changes that would limit access to the iconic pool, especially during the summer months.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Barton Springs Pool stays open late, Austin avoids early closing hours
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