Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which new Austin parks just opened near your neighborhood?

And check out Buzzkill Comedy: New Year's Eve! on the Austin Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 31st Patch AM
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Good morning Austin! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which new Austin parks just opened near your neighborhood?
  • Why did Austin pick the least popular plan for East Sixth?
  • How a Walnut Creek incident is changing Austin police responses

Also on today's calendar: Buzzkill Comedy: New Year's Eve! and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 70 and low of 42 degrees.
  • Thursday: Very warm with clouds and sun, temps: high: 75, low: 56.
  • Friday: Sunny and warmer, with a high of 85 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Celebrating New 2025 Park Developments (austintexas.gov) — Austin residents now have three newly opened neighborhood parks and a revamped Little Walnut Creek Greenbelt trailhead, all aimed at putting more parks within a 10-minute walk of home. Funded by city bonds and partners like Austin Parks Foundation, these projects add new playgrounds, trails, dog areas, and shaded gathering spots while improving creek and watershed health across several Austin neighborhoods.
   

2. Austin moves toward pedestrian-focused redesign of East Sixth Street (statesman.com) — Austin transportation officials have chosen a pedestrian-focused redesign for East Sixth Street, dropping previously favored protected bike lanes in order to widen sidewalks and add space for seating and outdoor dining. Despite survey results showing this was the least popular option, the city says it best serves heavy nighttime foot traffic as it works to improve safety and revitalize the historic “Dirty Sixth” entertainment strip.
   

3. Austin police to change response tactics after alleged hate speech in park prompts Muslim community outcry (kvue.com) — Austin police are changing how officers respond to alleged hate-related incidents after a Muslim group reported being targeted with insults at Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park in North Austin. City leaders condemned hate and said the speech was protected, but Chief Lisa Davis will now require supervisors on scene and seek other applicable violations, while the city reviews policies to keep public spaces safe.
   

4. Former Austin Police officer acquitted of deadly conduct charge on appeal (kxan.com) — An Austin police officer’s deadly conduct conviction in a 2019 downtown shooting has been overturned by the Texas 7th Court of Appeals, effectively acquitting him. The case, involving the killing of Mauris DeSilva during a mental health crisis, now shifts toward a civil lawsuit as the family’s attorneys vow to keep pursuing accountability in Austin.
   

5. Foundation promises matching donations to Austin Pets Alive! in honor of Camp Mystic camper (kxan.com) — Austin Pets Alive! is getting a boost from the Live Like MB Foundation, which will match up to $10,000 in donations to honor 8-year-old animal lover Mary Barrett Stevens. If supporters meet the goal, the Austin nonprofit could fund care for hundreds of local pets or save several critically injured animals.
   

📸 Around Austin

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Austin

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📣 Austin Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday December 31
  • Polar Bear Plunge
    Swim Center , 3103 Lakeway Blvd , Lakeway
    10:00 am
  • Circle Time
    Wells Branch Community Library , 15001 Wells Port Dr , Austin
    10:30 am
  • Ruthie Craft
    Mozart's Coffee Roasters , 3825 Lake Austin Blvd , Austin
    2:00 pm
  • 50% Off Wines Wanderlust Wine Co!
    Wanderlust Wine Co. Downtown , 612 N Interstate Hwy 35 , Austin
    3:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Austin. Apply here.
  • Ugly Dumpling posted a job opening for Porter in Austin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Austin here.

Ok Austin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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