Welcome to the Allandale Neighborhood Association

By Mary Fero & David Riskin

The future of the pond at Sheffield Northwest District Park is in doubt.

Why is the Duck Pond’s future uncertain? What changed? Water!

Uncertain rainfall. This past summer through early spring was the driest spell going back 75 years. By last fall, much of the pond was reduced to a mud flat. An October rainfall event kept the pond from critically low levels.

The park’s swimming pool was designed to empty into the pond, and did so since opening in 1956.  But the new pool (open Summer 2026) provides no operational water for the pond. And the pond’s 25-acre catchment basin currently is inadequate to sustain its wetland habitat.  

Since at least 2021, neighbors, park lovers, birders, local scientists and others have expressed concerns to Austin Parks and Recreation about the need to explore sources of supplemental water. The Northwest District Park Vision Plan adopted in January 2022 directed that such studies be undertaken.

Within the park, dam reconstruction, redevelopment of trails and parking, replacement of park sewer lines and a playground upgrade are all on the horizon. These major planned renovations can impact the pond and its diverse habitat.

To this day, there is no resolution for the pond. 

In response to these concerns, the Allandale Neighborhood Association Board of Directors approved a statement of support calling for a new, transparent planning effort to focus specifically on this beloved, iconic feature of Beverly Sheffield Northwest District Park, and urging that this new effort include neighborhood representation.

We hope this effort to save the pond will preserve its recreational value and its significant contribution as an important habitat for birds and aquatic wildlife.

On behalf of the Neighborhood Working Group on Sheffield Northwest Park Pond
David Riskind & Mary Fero

See the ANA Resolution

Proposed Bylaw Updates for Member Approval

At the October Annual Meeting, members will be asked to vote on several proposed updates to the Association's bylaws. These revisions are intended primarily to clarify existing practices, improve governance, and update procedures to reflect how the Association operates today.

Key changes include:

• Clarifying that each household member age 18 or older who qualifies for membership is entitled to vote.

• Providing additional detail regarding nominations, candidate qualifications, and procedures for conducting Board elections, including contested elections.

• Renaming the Safety Committee as the Safety and Transportation Committee to better reflect its responsibilities.

• Clarifying that the Safety and Transportation Committee Chair oversees the Neighborhood Watch program and Block Captains.

• Requiring the Board to approve the annual budget at the meeting following the installation of newly elected officers and directors.

• Establishing a formal annual process for selecting the Association's representative to the Austin Neighborhood Council.

• Allowing the Board to act on urgent resolutions when circumstances require action before the next regular meeting.

• Updating administrative and operational provisions, including committee responsibilities, communications practices, record-keeping, and other housekeeping items.

Complete redlined version of proposed bylaws.