ACL Fest left Zilker’s Great Lawn a mud pit after the rain

Rain over the weekend turned Zilker’s Great Lawn to mud. KUT’s photos from Friday show puddles and a muddy field, and a 15-minute delay getting in the gate. KXAN reports a little more than half an inch Friday and Saturday, and a Saturday doors delay that pushed the start to 2 p.m.

Council Member Ryan Alter called the damage unacceptable. KXAN reports he said that around 1 p.m. Saturday, and that he wants the lawn available to the public again.

Austin Parks and Recreation told KXAN it is working with C3 Presents on the grounds. Parks said that under the contract, the festival restores the Great Lawn and the areas around it after the event each year, including replacement of any grass needed. C3 told KXAN it remediates whatever needs repair after the festival, and that this year will be no different. Neither statement says the contract was broken.

KUT reports a festivalgoer in a motorized wheelchair got stuck twice in the mud, and that bystanders helped push him out. C3 told KUT it has placed additional Mobi-mat for accessibility patrons, plus ground protection around the park. Weekend 2 is Oct. 9–11.

Weekend 2 is still on. The city lists Austin City Limits at Zilker from Oct. 9 through Oct. 11, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sources

• KXAN — Alter called the damage unacceptable; Parks says the contract requires the festival to restore the Great Lawn, including grass; C3 says this year will be no different; Saturday start pushed to 2 p.m.
• KUT, Oct. 2 — Friday rain, mud, and puddles on the lawn; opening delayed about 15 minutes
• KUT, Oct. 5 — a wheelchair user got stuck twice; C3 said it placed additional Mobi-mat and ground protection
• City of Austin — Weekend Two, Oct. 9–11, 12 p.m.–10 p.m., Zilker Metropolitan Park