overview Dove Springs Neighborhood Analysis

O ctober-Nov ember 2010 | compiled f or CRP 384, Public Health & the Built Env ironment | Dr. Talia M c Cr a y
K a t e Be d f o rd , A n a C a l h o u n , S a r a H a m m e r s c h m i d t , L i n d s e y J o n e s , A n d re s G a l i n d o , K a t i e Mu l h o l l a n d , To s hi Ogur a
Children’s Optimal Health collected Body Mass Index (BMI) data of middle
school students in the Austin area. The Dove Springs neighborhood showed the
highest count of obese students in the city, making it an ideal neighborhood for
further study. Why does this neighborhood exhibit these high levels of obesity
among middle school students? What aspects of the neighborhood (including
parks, restaurants, land use, crime, public transportation, sidewalks and grocery
stores) might contribute to obesity? What interventions might help increase
physical activity and healthy food consumption in the neighborhood? Through
neighborhood focus groups, site visits and spatial analyses, our class analyzed
the current conditions of the Dove Springs Neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Renter Occupied Housing Median Family Income Population Density

(in 1999 dollars)

• Black (14-17%)
• Hispanic (64-74%)
• Renter-Occupied (43-66%)
• Lowest Median Family Income
• Medium Population Density

Renter Occupied Median Family Income ( • Predominantly White (46-71%)

Population Density (
• Predominantly Hispanic (64-74%)
67% - 98% $37,127.01 - $43,375.00 3500 - 5700 • Predominantly Renter-Occupied (67-98%)
43% - 66% • Predominantly Owner-Occupied (58-76%)
$30,714.01 - $37,127.00 180 - 3400 • Higher Median Family Income
24% - 42% • Lower Median Family Income
$30,714.00 170 • Medium Population Density
• High Population Density

White Population
Hispanic Population Black Population

Hispanic Population Black Population White Population

64% - 76% 14% - 17% 46% - 71%

demographics
32% - 63% 12% - 13% 38% - 45%
0% - 31% 9% - 11% 0% - 37%

Stassney

Willi
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Body Mass Index (BMI) data for the Dove Springs neighborhood around
Mendez Middle School showed the highest counts of obesity in nearly all of the
å neighborhood residential areas.

body mass index

Children’s Optimal Health analyzed counts of 2009 crime data provided by the
Austin Police Department for the city of Austin, looking specifically at crimes
that could contribute to a parent’s or a child’s perception of danger. The highest
incidences of crime in the Dove Springs neighborhood are near the shopping
centers at the intersection of IH-35 and William Cannon and the intersection of
Pleasant Valley and Stassney (mix of residential and commercial). Areas near
parks and schools have few occurrences of crime as most crimes occurred in

crime
the residential and commercial areas.

Study Area Reference Map

(austin city limits shown)
 Dove Springs Neighborhood Analysis
O ctober-Nov ember 2010 | compiled f or CRP 384, Public Health & the Built Env ironment | Dr. Talia M c Cr a y
K a t e Be d f o rd , A n a C a l h o u n , S a r a H a m m e r s c h m i d t , L i n d s e y J o n e s , A n d re s G a l i n d o , K a t i e Mu l h o l l a n d , To s hi Ogur a

Land Use Map Vacant Parcels

å
å

land use
å
å
Stassney City Owned Parcels (2008) Stassney

Will
iam å å Will
Can iam å å The primary land use in Dove Springs is single-family residential. A large number
non Can
non
of mobile homes exist South of William Cannon. The majority of commercial
ings

areas are along the IH-35 boundary of the neighborhood; however, there are a

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Bluff Spring
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Bluff Spr

å few smaller commercial parcels located within the neighborhood. Multi-family

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apartment complexes are distributed throughout the area, mainly along William

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cko Cannon and Nuckols Crossing. To the east and south are two major parks and

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two golf courses: McKinney Falls State Park, Onion Creek Park and Jimmy Clay

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and Roy Kizer Golf Courses. Several Austin Independent School District schools

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å
å are also located within the study area.

Vacant Parcels
Data from the City of Austin (2008) show many city owned parcels that are also
categorized as “undeveloped” in the Dove Springs area. These parcels are primar-
ily located near parks and within the residential areas, and could be ideal places

¸ ¸
for healthy development, such as a farmer’s markets and/or community gardens.

BUS ROUTES Map

public transportation & bike
Five Capital Metro bus routes serve the Dove Springs area.

Route 7 (Local) Route 127 (Flyer) Route 311 (Stassney) Route 333 (Wm Cannon) Route 486 (Night Owl)
Main bus route serving: Twice daily route serving: Cross-town bus route serving: Cross-town bus route serving: Four times daily between 12 am
Walmart (Rutherford Lane) St. David’s Hospital (32nd and Red Mendez Middle School Palm Elementary school and 4 am serving:
Highland Mall River) Crockett High School Dove Springs neighborhood Wm Cannon & Pleasant Valley
Brackenridge Hospital The University of Texas Cherry Creek Shopping Center HEB, Wm Cannon & Manchaca 6th and Congress
University of Texas Texas State Capitol/Downtown Westgate Mall Oak Hill Park and Ride
Texas State Capitol/Downtown Dove Springs neighborhood Sunset Valley Shopping Center ACC Pinnacle Campus
6th Street District
HEB, IH35 & E. Riverside
Veteran’s Administration/IRS Mendez
Middle School
Wm Cannon & IH35 shopping center

transportation
street analysis
CONTINUITY Map
Pleasant Valley Road Nuckols Crossing Road
Mixed land uses Mixed land uses
Primarily single-family housing Single-family housing and institutional
Four-lane road, 40 mph speed limit Two-lane road, 35 mph speed limit
Fair road conditions Good road conditions
Incomplete sidewalks Incomplete sidewalks
Fair walking/cycling environment Fair walking and cycling environment
Road oriented lighting Road oriented lighting
Crosswalks at major intersections Crosswalks at major intersections
No bicycle routes, few amenities No bicycle routes, few amenities
Bus stops mostly signage only Bus stops mostly signage only
Few bus stops with benches Bus stop near school covered with benches

William Cannon Drive Stassney Lane

Mixed land uses Single and multi-family housing only
Primarily single-family housing Four-lane road, 40 mph speed limit
SPEED LIMITS Map Six-lane road, 40 mph speed limit Good road conditions
Fair road conditions Complete sidewalks
Complete sidewalks Fair walking/cycling environment
Fair walking/cycling environment Road oriented lighting
Road oriented lighting Crosswalks at major intersections
Crosswalks at major intersections No bicycle routes, few amenities
Bicycle lane, no amenities Bus stops have signage only
Bus stops have signage only

Jacaranda Drive/Dovehill Drive Teri Road

Single family housing only Mixed land uses
Four-land road, 30 mph speed limit Primarily single-family housing
Good road conditions, on-street parking Four-lane road, 35 mph speed limit
Incomplete sidewalks Good road conditions
Fair walking/cycling environment Complete sidewalks
Road oriented lighting Fair walking/cycling environment
Crosswalks at major intersections Road oriented lighting
BIKE ROUTES Map
No bicycle routes, few amenities Crosswalks at major/few minor intersections
Bus stops have signage only No bicycle routes, few amenities
Bus stops have signage only

connectivity
in the Dove Springs Neighborhood
Study Area Reference Map
(austin city limits shown)
 Dove Springs Neighborhood Analysis
O ctober-Nov ember 2010 | compiled f or CRP 384, Public Health & the Built Env ironment | Dr. Talia M c Cr a y
K a t e Be d f o rd , A n a C a l h o u n , S a r a H a m m e r s c h m i d t , L i n d s e y J o n e s , A n d re s G a l i n d o , K a t i e Mu l h o l l a n d , To s hi Ogur a

“We need less greasy places to eat. Reduce the number of fast food restaurants.
I would like to see more healthy organic and vegetarian places to eat, like the
one on Chicon (Mr. Natural). They know how to make healthy food taste good!”
-Dove Springs resident and middle school student
1

healthy food
healthy food store inventory
key name food store type locatIon For the majority of Dove Springs residents, healthy food sources are a car or bus
1 HEB Supermarket I-35 & William Cannon Dr. trip away.
2 Fiesta Supermarket I-35 & E. Stassney Ln.

HEALTHY Food Store Map*

intermediate food store inventory

intermediate food
key name food store type locatIon Various intermediate healthy food sources are accessible to I-35 traffic; however,
6 4 9
10
1 Subway Non-Fast-Food Restaurant only three locations serve the immediate residents of Dove Springs.
5
2 La Hacienda Market Medium Sized Grocery Stores I-35 & William Cannon Dr.

2 3 China Harbor Restaurant Non-Fast-Food Restaurant

7
1 Twin Peaks Eats, Drinks, &
4 Non-Fast-Food Restaurant
Scenic Views
3
8 5 Romano's Macaroni Grill Non-Fast-Food Restaurant I-35 & E. Stassney Ln.

6 Logan's Roadhouse Non-Fast-Food Restaurant

Applebee's Neighborhood
7 Non-Fast-Food Restaurant I-35 & Nelms Rd.
Grill
La Moreliana #2, Meat Bluff Springs Rd. & William
8 Medium Sized Grocery Stores
Market, Vegetables Cannon Dr.
Mama Celia's Restaurant,
9 Non-Fast-Food Store
Carniceria, Breakfast Tacos S. Pleasant Valley Rd. & E.
La Casa del Minitaco, La Stassney Ln.
10 Non-Fast-Food Store
Placita Mexican Restaurant

INTERMEDIATE Food Store Map*

unhealthy food store inventory
unhealthy food
key name food store type locatIon
As seen in the inventory, unhealthy food is by far the most prominent food type
S. Pleasant Valley Rd. &
1 All Star Grocery Convenience Store
Teri Rd. available to the residents of the Dove Springs Neighborhood. Multiple nodes
2 2 Teri Food Mart Convenience Store Pepper Ln. & Teri Rd.
of unhealthy food sources are easily accessible via a ten minute walk for most
3 Little Caesars Pizza Pizza Restaurant residences.
1 S. Pleasant Valley Rd. &
15 19 7 4 Food Spot Convenience Store
William Cannon Dr.

20 6 5 Mi Victoria Bakery Bakery

6 Church's Chicken Fast-Food Store

Nuckols Crossing Rd. & E.
Stassney Ln.
13 7 Sonic Drive-In Fast-Food Store
11 9
12
17 8 McDonalds Fast-Food Store
8
10
14 16 9 Taco Bell Fast-Food Store
18
5
10 Whataburger Fast-Food Store

3 4
11 Long John Silvers Fast-Food Store I-35 & William Cannon Dr.

12 Taco Cabana Fast-Food Store

13 Wendys Fast-Food Store

14 Kentucky Fried Chicken Fast-Food Store

15 Krispy Kreme Donuts Fast-Food Store I-35 & E. Stassney Ln.

21
16 Sonic Drive-In Fast-Food Store

17 Valero Corner Store #2194 Convenience Store

Bluff Springs Rd. & William
Cannon Dr. Types of Food
Source: Rundle A, Neckerman L, Freeman G, Lovasi M, Purciel J, Quinn C, Richards N, Sircar, Weiss C. Neighborhood Food Environment and Walkability Predict Obesity in New York City. Environ Health
18 Cannon Food Mart Convenience Store Perspect 2009; 117(3): 442-47.

19 Valero Corner Store #2169 Convenience Store Food Types Rundle's Criteria NAICS index
S. Pleasant Valley Rd. & E.
Stassney Ln.
20 Pollos Asados el Regio Mobile Food Service
Healthy supermarkets 445110 Supermarkets
UNHEALTHY Food Store Map* 21 Texan Food Mart Convenience Store
Old Lockhart Hwy. &
Sunny Hills Dr.
fruits and vegetable stores 445110 Grocery stores
445110 Food stores
natural/health food stores
445230 Fruit/vegetable

Intermediate other non-fast-food restaurants 422430 Dairy Product Wholesaler

medium sized grocery stores 445220 Fish markets
fish markets 722110 Restaurants, full service
722110 Fine dining
specialty food stores
722110 Family restaurants
Unhealthy fast-food stores 445120 Convenience stores
pizza restaurants 447110 Gasoline stations with convenience stores
convenience stores 445210 Meat markets
445291 Baked goods
bodegas
445292 Confectionery/nut stores
bakeries 722110 Steak houses
candy and nut stores 722110 Pizzerias, full service
meat markets 722212 Cafeterias
722211 Limited Service Restaurants
722211 Fast-food restaurants
722211 Pizza parlor, limited service
722211 Pizza delivery shops
722211 Delicatessens
722211 Sandwich shops
722110 Bagel shops, full service
722213 Beverage bars
722213 Doughnut shops
722213 Ice cream parlors
722213 Pretzel shops
722330 Mobile Food Service

food access
in the Dove Springs Neighborhood
Study Area Reference Map
(austin city limits shown)

* See ‘Types of Food’ list for food store type categorization method.
 Dove Springs Neighborhood Analysis
O ctober-Nov ember 2010 | compiled f or CRP 384, Public Health & the Built Env ironment | Dr. Talia M c Cr a y
K a t e Be d f o rd , A n a C a l h o u n , S a r a H a m m e r s c h m i d t , L i n d s e y J o n e s , A n d re s G a l i n d o , K a t i e Mu l h o l l a n d , To s hi Ogur a

“The problem with the Recreation Center is that they use to have more free activities, but now they
cost between 35 to 50 bucks, it is too high for us. We have 4 kids and we can´t afford that, it´s too parks & recreation center
much. My sons go to the karate because it is free.”
Recreation Center
-Dove Springs resident and mother The Dove Springs Recreation Center and the Southeast Austin Public Library
were opened in 1998 to provide activities in the vicinity of Widen Elementary
“I stopped playing football at 12 because I couldn’t do it any more at the Recreation Center.” School and Mendez Middle School. However, those facilities are underutilized,
-Dove Springs resident and middle school student due to limited staffing, operational hours, program fees, and neighborhood safety
issues.
“I never go to Franklin park. At any hour it is unsafe.”
-Dove Springs resident and student Parks
Small neighborhood parks and larger district/metropolitan/state parks in the Dove
“We wish we could have a safer park system, during the day it is ok, but once it starts to get darker Springs neighborhood provide opportunities for physical activities; including
we get scared. So it limits us the use of this places. More bike lanes for our kids. They all have bikes sports, walking, and biking. However, the biggest issue may be the negative
but they don´t use them.” perceptions of personal security by parents and children. Empty parks are often
-Dove Springs resident and mother observed even during the day time.
Courts Fields
Biking&Walking
Parks Trails
(Basketball, (Baseball, Playgrounds Shading Benches
Tennis) Soccer)

DoveSpringsRecreation
1 Yes Yes Yes No Poor Few
Center

2
7 2
FranklinNeighborhood
Yes Yes Yes Yes Adaquate Few
Parkk
P

KendraPage
3 Yes No No No Good No
NeighborhoodPark
Neighborhood Park
1

McKinneyFallsState
4 Yes No No No Good Yes
Park

8
OnionCreekDistrict
5 Yes No No Yes Good No
Park & Greenbelt
Park&Greenbelt

3 OnionCreekSoccer
6 No No Yes No Poor No
Complex

5
PoncianaNeighborhood
7 No No No No Good No
5 Park

WilliamsonCreekEast
Willi C kE t
8 Yes No No No Good No
Greenbelt

Parks & Recreation Center Map

schools
According to Dr. Dolly Lambdin, a physical education expert from the University
of Texas, although Texas law (Senate Bill 19/1357) requires 135 minutes per week
of TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) based physical activity, there
is no accountability system in place to ensure students get this time. In some
5
districts children have physical education classes with a specialist only once
or twice a week for a total average of 75 minutes a week. Classroom teachers
3 are charged with providing the remaining 60 minutes per week; however, it is a
1 struggle to make this happen. After-school activities using school facilities and
2
teachers are underutilized due to limited budgets, staffing, and liability issues.
However, some teachers have initiated after-school programs with the PTA by
securing tentative grant money. A more comprehensive approach to physical
education, health, school meals, and parents’ education are needed. Bedichek
Middle School allows a non-profit organization to run an after-school program
with volunteers. Schools in other areas of Austin are partnering with recreation
4
centers and public libraries to share their facilities.
Courts Fields
Track (Basketball, (Baseball, Playgrounds Shading Gymnasium
Schools Tennis) Soccer)

1 MendezMiddle
Mendez Middle Yes Yes Yes No Poor Yes

6
2 WidenElementary No Yes Yes Yes Poor Yes

Schools Map
3 HoustonElementary Yes Yes Yes Yes Poor Yes

4 LangfordElementary No Yes No Yes Good Yes

5 RodriguezElementary No Yes No Yes Poor Yes

6 PerezElementary Yes No No Yes Poor Yes

School
Park
Trail
7 BedicheckMiddle Yes Yes Yes No Adaquate Yes

physical activity
& recreation
in the Dove Springs Neighborhood
Study Area Reference Map
(austin city limits shown)