I'm in Cedar Park! I would love to go to a swap in Central Austin! I've been tempted to go to Buda and San Antonio, but I just don't want to drive that far.

Of course, I'm not sure what I'd bring b/c I'm pretty terrible at getting things rooted. :-)

Jolana if you had a swap there then you'd never come here.

Bad idea. LOL

Unless you came to ours and I came to yours.

Good idea!

Jolana, there's one listed for Austin/San Antonio on the Exhange Forum? I didn't read it, but thought I'd let you know...

Kristi

Maden, that would be easier for me too.
Carol, we could go to each one, if the weather is nice, lol
Kristi, that one is in Buda which is further from me than Austin. I'll probaly try to make the San Antonio one, that is even further, lol

I think I can try to answer your question. We can not locate a safe place to have a swap in Austin. The swap organizers of the Austin/San Antonio swap have been searching for a safe place for years. The San Marcos location was very nice and safe but with the new construction and raise in rental fees it was no longer used. We have not had anyone come up with a location that meets the basic requirements. These requirements are safety, parking, covered pavilion with reasonable rental fee, restrooms, easy to get to location. We have reserved the pavilion in Buda for the last few swaps because it meets those requirements and I can afford to front the rental fee. There are many parks but the nicer ones have ball fields and are too crowded during the spring and fall.
If anyone knows of a place in Austin to have a swap we would sure like to know about it.
Please come to the swap in Buda on April 21. You will have a great time.
Charlotte

Charlotte, thank you. As usual, I will try, lol
Dang life gets in the way sometimes, LOL
jolana

Mainly because there is no appropriate place to have it. You need a covered pavillion, close parking, restrooms, a low rental fee and a location that is not a threat to those attending. If you find someplace that fits that description in Austin, let us know and we'll go check it out. By the way, in years past two swaps were held in and near Bastrop, but very few people attended. I was one of the few.

Carla in Leander

Ah, once again we hear that Texas' conecpt of parks, is actually just a ball field. (sigh)

Carla, I just sent you an email

By the way, in years past two swaps were held in and near Bastrop

I'm pretty sure one was in Bastrop several years ago but I didn't live here then.

Looks like $100 or less could make an Austin area swap possible at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock. It's the park which is adjacent to the Dell Diamond. And no, it's not all ballfields. Look good to anyone else?

Here is a link that might be useful: Round Rock Swap Meet?

I'm sure Round Rock has fine facilities, but the question was why wasn't there a swap in Austin. Round Rock, especially the park next to Dell Diamond, is no closer to Austin than Buda and the park fee in RR is much higher. However, if someone wants to arrange one in Round Rock, I say go for it, but it still won't be in Austin.

Carla in Leander

Physically Round Rock is closer to me than Buda

I just asked a question, I think it's a good thing that I'm not a young new gardener or I might be upset by the tone. LOL
Thanks Juliof3
Carla, thanks for your reply, hope you have a nice evening
jolana

I can rent these pavillions in my neighborhood for less than $100. They are located in NWA/Cedar Park close to Lakeline Mall.

I also have access to parks in Lago Vista. They are pretty, but not a short drive from Bastrop.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pavillion Facilities

Wow, this just really blows my mind. Our Fort Worth Swap is done at a really nice public park. No rental fees for the pavillions, you just have to get there early to get one. The Botanic Gardens are across the street from this park and we could also have the swap there....just kind of picnic style with no pavillion, but plenty of shade trees to sit under and everyone could just bring a card table to set their plants on. Usually, we don't get to the public park early enough to get a pavillion anyway, and this is what we've done....card tables under trees.

Our swap is very relaxed and casual though, and this may not appeal to some folks. Interesting though, I didn't realize that Austin was so...unsafe.

Kristi

It is interesting to see what is perceived as required to have a swap. I have been to one that was held in a very small park and we just set up tables and had the swap. It was a very low-key affair, probably no more than 15 people. I imagine that one in Austin would probably draw a lot of folks, which could make organizing a lot more difficult as some of the local parks do have minimal parking space. I've never felt safety was an issue, but most parks I've been to in Austin were either Central or on the West side.

If you're serious about having one in Bastrop, I can ask at the next garden club meeting and find out where it could be held, although I suspect it would have to be in the fall as we are rapidly running out of spring time. LOL

Kerri

Kerri, you are sweet to offer that. I guess we'll play it by ear and see how many people are interested in having one sometime.

Kristi, what swaps do you go to?

Thanks again, jolana

Just to clarify the Austin parks situation, I did check on their website and due to crushing demand, they have gone to a lottery system for reserving the covered facilities. You have to submit a written request 7 months in advance, then the month before, they draw and the "winners" are notified that they did get a reservation. So, reserving a facility with the City of Austin is now practically impossible. Yes, it is always possible to just set up tables in a grassy area, but swaps here have had rain (not just a sprinkle) several times, so you always take your chances.

As far as the safety issue, I've been in and around Austin forever and there are SOME parks and other places that you don't need to be. Period. Not even in the day time.

Carla in Leander

"so you always take your chances".

Yes, you do. We've had great weather and not so great weather. Either way, we've always managed to have a great time. As I said, our swaps are informal and if weather threatened to ruin our day, I would imagine that we would just agree on a restaurant or something to go to and visit and swap plants when the rain let up or as we were leaving to go home.

"there are SOME parks and other places that you don't need to be. Period. Not even in the day time."

That's true of any city of substantial size.

"Kristi, what swaps do you go to?"

Jolana, I've only been to the Fort Worth Swap that I mentioned above. I really enjoy it very much. My mother went once in the spring as well and felt the same way. I think she'll come with me to the spring one this year too. I was going to go to the spring Garden Gate swap this year too, but it's my father's birthday and I will be spending the day with my family. May send some plants with Bev if she decides to go though :).

Kristi

Hey! I just checked on the pavillions in my neighborhood. The El Salido pavillion has restrooms, parking, a park, etc. And it is available in May.

Anyone interested in a May 19th Swap? I've never planned one of these before, but am willing to try. Any experts out there who can help? :-) I'm half planner, half plunker.

I also subscribe to an Austin plant group w/ 400+ members and I'm polling them to see if anyone would be interested in coming. I think there should be enough interest.

Maden, let me know how your polling goes, okay?
jolana

maden theshade, you may want to ask chargreen for tips on how to organize a swap. I attended the one she organized last year in Buda and had a blast: many plants and seeds(many very common but many),wonderful people to chat with, comfortable space, great food and even prizes/tokens for everyone. Wonderful!

C'mon, Jolana, don't be a party pooper and come to our swap in Buda (I'm planning on taking some weirdo seeds you may like).

Omar.

Omar, in all of my 50 something years.
I have never been called a party pooper, lol
Omar, My oldest DD's B-Day is the 22nd and I always go to Houston to see her on her B-Day. My son in law is the best BBQer and I can't miss that either, lol
What kind of seeds do you have? LOL

Just work out the details and announce it! If you try to balance everyone's when-where and other details you'll go crazy.

Jolana, there is always a first time for everything. My first thought was: "nah ah! I ain't telling!". However, I changed my mind and decided to try to torture you mentioning some of the seeds I am taking to the swap (just a few of each):
* Mammilaria
* Giant Sequoia
* Salmon poppy (common in Wisconsin but rare in Utah)
* White butterfly bush
* Marigold "Spanish Brocade"
* Abutilon "La vie en rose"
* Hibiscus acetosella (burgundy leaves)
* Abutilon vitifolium
* Cosmos "Candy Stripe"
* Chlorophytum "Sierra Leona"
* Lavatera "white cherub"
* Hibiscus militaris
* Acer aconitifolium "Dancing peacock"
* Agastache "tutti-frutti"

and others....Unfortunately you are not coming.... Oh, well!

Omar

Omar, you are being what my brother would call a "turd" LOL

If it was any other day, these would be very, very tempting
Hibiscus acetosella (burgundy leaves), Lavatera "white cherub" ,Hibiscus militaris and this one would get me there
Acer aconitifolium "Dancing peacock"

Y'all have fun and think about me crying for missing those seeds, lol
I probaly really will be, lol

Jolana, Carla can tell you that there was one or two in Zilker Park about 6 years ago before I got into this site and knew about this stuff. I don't know why "they" quit hosting it? Maybe Carla or someone else will know. I have been to swaps in Spicewood, Llano, San Marcos, San Antonio and I hosted two here in Bastrop. The swap is closest to whoever wants to host it.
Fishermans Park was $25 and Lake Bastrop North Shore pavillion was free to the first person to occupy it. That was where we had a monsoon. It was originally scheduled for my front yard until the gully washer showed up. Carla was there as well as a guy from Temple. I think 6 people showed up.
The one in Spicedwood was at a private residence also. They had put up tarps for shade and had a fireplace and a big pot of beans on it.
You could host one in your yard and you wouldn't have to travel at all. lol.
madentheshade - check out the thread called FAQ for the SA plant swap and you might get some ideas. There are a few responsibilities the host has like fronting the money for the pavilion if necessary but there is normally a "pass the hat" to help recoup that expense. Also, the host might provide the paper plates and plastic ware for a pot luck if one is planned, what a great tiem to get to sit and talk. The swappers are responsible for everything else pretty much. Even if you have a pavillion it is a good idea for some folks to bring their card tables and chairs because we don't know how many folks will show up and some folks bring LOOOOOOOOOOOOOTS of stuff.

I know, Jolana. I am a turd and I am proud of it. You can't deny I'm good at it. The seeds will be there waiting for you to show up.

Omar

Thanks Mike
Omar, bad to the bone.
One day y'all will have one in the Spring when my daughter has quit celebrating B-Days, lol
Unless she takes after Mom, lol
Someone will get some really good seeds tho and I know they will enjoy them
jolana