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Pflugerville commission approves five public artworks, including kinetic bicycle sculpture in Wilbarger Creek Park
Summary
Commissioners approved a package of public‑art purchases and installations at Wilbarger Creek Park, Lake Pflugerville and other park sites, using hotel‑occupancy tax funds for at least one piece; costs and installation timelines were presented by staff.
The Pflugerville Parks & Recreation Commission approved the purchase and siting of multiple public‑art pieces during its April 17 meeting, including a kinetic bicycle sculpture proposed for Wilbarger Creek Park South.
Erin (staff presenter) described the first piece, “Sweethearts,” part of the Love Your Bike series by Amos Robinson, as a wind‑driven kinetic bicycle sculpture mounted on a pole with 360‑degree rotation. Erin said the sculpture itself costs $16,500; shipping, site prep and installation raise the combined site cost to about $20,000. When asked about funding, staff confirmed the purchase comes from hotel‑occupancy tax (HOT) funds.
The commission approved the Sweethearts piece by voice vote.
The commission also approved several additional purchases presented by staff: - "Smitten," a life‑size bronze bobcat by John Maisono intended for Wilbarger Creek Park South; purchase price $7,200, installation minimal because it will sit on an existing low seating wall. - "Roxy," an oversized painted bronze fox proposed near the multiuse field entrance (just south of Craters of the Moon); purchase price $17,000 plus installation and concrete pad. - Two functional limestone bench sculptures (described together as Daydreamer and a paired piece) for Lake Pflugerville; combined purchase and delivery $20,400 plus concrete pad installation.
Staff presented locations and rough timelines: the kinetic bicycle was estimated at about 110 days for delivery and installation; the bronze pieces and limestone benches were generally available in about one to three months depending on site prep and pad pours. Staff said bronze pieces will require periodic cleaning and waxing to maintain their patina.
Commissioners asked about placement clustering (several pieces would sit in Wilbarger Creek Park North and South) and interaction (whether pieces would be climbable or tactile). Staff said the collection intentionally includes variety—ground‑level pieces people can touch and elevated kinetic works—and that site selection balanced visibility and protection from vandalism.
Votes at a glance - Sweethearts (Amos Robinson, kinetic bicycle sculpture), Wilbarger Creek Park South: approved (purchase $16,500; total site estimate ~$20,000; HOT funds confirmed). Provenance: presentation and approval recorded in meeting transcript. - Smitten (John Maisono, bronze bobcat), Wilbarger Creek Park South: approved (purchase $7,200; minimal installation). Provenance: presentation and approval recorded. - Roxy (bronze fox), Wilbarger Creek Park North: approved (purchase $17,000 + installation). Provenance: presentation and approval recorded. - Daydreamer and paired limestone benches, Lake Pflugerville: approved (combined purchase/delivery $20,400 + pad installation). Provenance: presentation and approval recorded.
Staff said the art purchases came from an open national call for art earlier in the year and that the city gives preference to regional and local artists when feasible. Installation work and site prep will be contracted separately and may add cost depending on irrigation or underground utilities at selected sites.
