People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources (PODER)

2008 Neighborhood Beautification Grant Recipient

Oak Springs is a 5.997 acre tract located at 3160 Oak Springs Drive and contains natural springs, native plants, wetland, and huge beautiful oak trees. In 2005 it was a proposed site for a paved shopping center that would have included a dollar store, two fast food joints, and two other 4,000 square foot retail stores.  PODER and area residents (with the assistance of Councilman Mike Martinez) protested the plan and convinced the City to purchase the site to protect it from destruction. 

Restoration of Oak Springs has been a collaborative process with the City of Austin cleaned out most of the trash that accumulated when the site was simply seen as a vacant lot.  The Brodie Wild Project, Austin chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Native Prairies Association of Texas, completed an assessment of plants and trees on the site.  PODER then enlisted the School of Architecture & Regional Planning of the University of Texas to review the site and assist in landscaping and designing trails in 2007.  The groups involved were glad to see the site saved and all agreed that major restoration was needed to bring it back to its original beauty.

The goal at Oaks Springs is to protect the water quality of the natural springs on the site and to restore native vegetation and habitat through plantings and maintenance. The Oak Springs site will be used to educate the public, not only about natural water and eco-systems, but also about how community involvement saves and preserves green space in Austin.  Educational signage on how to garden with native plants to protect water quality and reduce water usage, and promote clean green spaces that discourage litter and dumping will be installed. Phase II plans include an extended trail that makes more of the property accessible to clean up, more plantings of native species, council rings where families can sit and take part in the desire to make this a cleaner place.  

The KAB grant will be used to buy materials to create bi-lingual signage, create planting beds, and increase the number of beautiful native trees on the property.