Advisory: Conference on New City Parks Report (TX)

Austin, Texas – A new report on city park systems released by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national non-profit group, will be announced by Mayor-elect, Will Wynn at a local press conference. The 48-page report, The Excellent City Park System: What Makes it Great, and How to Get There, provides a new system for evaluating how well a city's park system serves the residents.

Authored by Peter Harnik, Director of TPL's Green Cities Initiative, the report proposes a framework based on seven measures of city park excellence, as identified by city park directors and park and urban experts nationwide. The report is intended for use by park advocates, concerned citizens, park professionals, and government leaders seeking a way to measure park system excellence. The report will be posted on TPL's website, and can be ordered atwww.shop.tpl.org.

Other speakers will include, Milo Burdette of Barshop and Oles Company, Member and Past-Chairman of the Board, Austin Parks Foundation, and Valarie Bristol, State Director for the Trust for Public Land, and Former Travis County Commissioner.

Following the press conference, TPL will host its 2003 Parks Roundtable to discuss issues concerning urban parks and open space conservation in Central Texas. The event will be open to the public.

WHAT:Press Conference to announce the release of the report, The Excellent City Park System: What Makes it Great, and How to Get There.

WHERE:The Austin History Center, Mayors Room9th and Guadalupe Streets

WHEN:Wednesday, May 21, 2003

TIME:11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

DIRECTIONS:The Austin History Center is located on the SW corner of 9th and Guadalupe Streets in downtown Austin.