Liz Carpenter Park?

Over the last several months, the Austin Parks Department has been accepting public nominations for naming the new downtown Austin park on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake. Located west of the Palmer events center, just upstream from the Ann Richards bridge, the new city park features an ultra-cool high-tech fountain.

Among the names nominated and now being considered is that of Liz Carpenter, 87, one of Austin's most colorful and beloved political figures. A former press secretary to Lady Bird Johnson and a successful journalist and author, Liz Carpenter has also been an activist on women's issues and progressive policies over her lifetime, and today remains a self-described "unrepentant liberal."

Apparently a group of equally unrepentant souls are now organizing to show their support for naming the new park for the legendary Carpenter. The "Friends of Liz Carpenter" group says it is gathering names of those who support the nomination, and will present the list of Carpenter enthusiasts at a Parks Board meeting on Monday night.

The final naming decision will be made by the Austin City Council next month. If you would like to add your name to the list of folks supporting Liz Carpenter Park, you can send an email to Mark Nathan at Austin Strategies: mark@austinstrategies.com

Liz Carpenter Park would be an excellent addition to Lady Bird Lake and Ann Richards Bridge, celebrating Austin's proud progressive heritage and honoring these three incredible women together in the heart of our city.

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By paigedd in News on February 9, 2008 5:07 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

LoudMouth

Fuck the people that get to name everything. I'm calling it Megaton Park just because.

bentx74

Oh come on! Do we have to name every park after someone? Whats wrong with Town Lake Park? Nothing! Leave it as it is. We dont have to name things after people!!

Matt Curtis

Liz Carpenter is a living Austin icon. She has dedicated her life to public service. She has also kept us holding our guts in belly laughs from jokes that are older than I am.

Liz Carpenter has done more for Texas than almost anyone I can think of. And she's done it all with grace and humor.

I am excited about the opportunity to name this park - that compliments Lake Lady Bird - after Liz Carpenter.

kenneth1

No, not another "Old Rich White Woman Park."

Stevie Ray Vaughan Park.

Chris Trew

Name the park Cool Water Fountain Park.

Chris Trew

Name the park Cool Water Fountain Park.

After Dark

I love Liz Carpenter!!

franktex

No No No No!!!

This damn park will NOT be named after another old woman.

This park, with the help of every MUSIC-loving Austinite, will be named after Doug Sahm, thank you very much. And maybe Clifford Antone Hill.

franktex

No No No No!!!

This damn park will NOT be named after another old woman.

This park, with the help of every MUSIC-loving Austinite, will be named after Doug Sahm, thank you very much. And maybe CLifford Antone Hill.