Concerned About Eroding Riverbank

Dear Editor:
   Dog owners who use the hike-and-bike trail at Auditorium Shores have helped erode the riverbank upwards of 7 feet in just the past three years. It will be very costly and time-consuming to repair your damage, and the city of Austin does not have the funds budgeted to fix it because there are other river/creek banks that need attention. Most of these have eroded naturally over time due to water flow levels. Please stop using this area to exercise your dog in the water, and find another site so the riverbank can be stabilized and eventually repaired.
   When the Parks and Recreation Department posts signage there to close the site down, please obey their request and move on so the hike-and-bike trail itself doesn’t become undermined.
   Park users should understand that growth does not pay for itself, particularly when the economy is weak. Simply paying taxes does not adequately fund city services and amenities if they are overused.
   The city’s Park Maintenance Budget can be supplemented by volunteering or donating money to a park nonprofit. To mitigate the damage that has already been done, please consider donating your time or money to the Town Lake Trail Foundation www.townlaketrail.org or the Austin Parks Foundation www.austinparks.org.