There’s a phrase that is often repeated at Vision 2020 meetings—‘move the needle.’ Each of the ten vision statement areas is tackling challenges that will change Austin in a substantial way. We are modeling after other communities that have moved away from incremental improvements and instead took on the task of transformational change.

No where is ‘moving the needle,’ or producing transformational change more challenging than in the arena of our waterways.

The Vision Statement reads: “Embrace and Maintain Our Waterways — Clean and maintain all waterways and shorelines in the community and beyond to enhance recreational opportunities such as kayaking, canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing, adding beauty through public gardens, lighted waterways and water features.”

For as long as Austin has existed, our community has been strongly tied to our waterways. Our founders chose this location to take advantage of the flowing waters of the Cedar River to operate a mill. Over the decades the Cedar River, and other waterways, have been part of our community’s economic, transportation and recreation systems.

The Vision 2020 Waterways committee has seen great success in promoting water recreation through the annual Plunging for Pink event. In 2014, over 200 hearty souls took a dip in East Side Lake’s icy February waters to raise money for The Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research.

The Waterways committee is pursuing additional events — thankfully targeting the warmer months — and amenities to encourage water recreation including shoreline fishing piers and canoe/kayak access points. Several of the small projects to add amenities have been in the planning stages for years now due to the complexities of working with and bringing together various government agencies on projects as well as making sure all governmental requirements and regulations are followed. I’m proud of how persistent and tenacious our volunteers have been in working to complete the projects. I have confidence that their persistence will pay off and the results will provide future generations with great outdoor recreation opportunities.