The newly formed Friends of Deep Eddy Pool hope to raise awareness of the history of the municipal swimming pool — and private and public money to improve the pool and restore the historic bath house (now partly abandoned). To that end, the group has drafted a proposal, under consideration by the Parks and Recreation Board, to have the pool declared a historic landmark.
The resolution reads in part: “Whereas Deep Eddy qualifies as a City Historic Landmark based upon its 99-plus year history as a publicly accessible swimming and bathing hole, its progressive 1935 bath house design and Depression-era assisted construction, and its cultural and historical significance as a community recreation grounds …
“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Parks and Recreation Board supports City Historic Landmark Designation for Deep Eddy, recommends that the Planning Commission and the City Council approve this designation for Deep Eddy, and that the city of Austin pursue historic grants for the preservation of Deep Eddy and restoration of the bath house.”
Historic landmark designation, the Friends say, will make the park eligible for public and private grants for restoration work. For more info or to join the group, contact Paul Bardagjy at pbardagjy@flash.net.
This article appears in September 21 • 2001.
