Month: August 2019

September Celebration at Patterson Park

Celebration of Patterson Park Projects Planned for September 7

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FRIENDS OF PATTERSON PARK CELEBRATES RENOVATION PROJECTS WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION

Community members invited for breakfast tacos, face painting, kite flying and more on September 7 at 9 a.m. 

WHAT:  In partnership with the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Parks Foundation, Friends of Patterson Park is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil Patterson Park’s improvements and redeveloped playground on Saturday, September 7 starting at 9 a.m.

Patterson Park was the recipient of a $50,000 Community Grant from APF’s 2018 ACL Music Festival Park Grants Program. The grant provided the park with new amenities including new playscape equipment focused on building strength and balance, new amphitheater style seating, new steps connecting the playscape to the restrooms and new natural play features.

Patterson Park also received a Neighborhood Partnering Program grant for nearly $48,000 in 2018. This funded new park furnishings including benches, boulder seating, grills, trail markers, an information kiosk, and a picnic table.

Friends of Patterson Park invites the community to join the celebration and enjoy the new playground. Breakfast tacos and coffee will be provided upon arrival, followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Council Member Kathie Tovo District 9 and Parks and Recreation Department Director Kimberly McNeeley, representatives from the Public Works Department, and Austin Parks Foundation at 9:30 a.m.

Fun activities for the kids includes free face painting and snow cones, and kite flying (guests are encouraged to bring their own kites).

WHO:   Remarks will start promptly at 9:30 a.m.
District 9 Council Member Kathie Tovo
Kimberly McNeeley, Director of Parks and Recreation Department
Colin Wallis, CEO of Austin Parks Foundation
Jennifer Potter-Miller, Chair of Friends of Patterson Park

WHEN: Saturday, September 7, 9–11 a.m.

WHERE: Patterson Park playground
4200 Brookview Rd., Austin, TX 78722

Friends of Patterson Park wants to invite our community to join us for a celebration of our new playground equipment and park furnishings on September 7. We will have refreshments, face painting, and kite flying, and an opening ceremony with District 9 Council Member Kathie Tovo and representatives from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin Public Works, Austin Parks Foundation.

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Patterson Projects to be Reviewed by Nearby Neighborhood Associations

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Friends of Patterson Park is ready to move forward on two parts of our Neighborhood Park Plan. These proposals has been approved by our group and are now submitted for consideration by surrounding neighborhoods, including Cherrywood, Mueller, Schieffer-Willowbrook and Wilshire Wood-Delwood 2.

The Cherrywood Neighborhood Association will vote on the following proposals at their upcoming general meeting on Wednesday, August 21 (Servant Church, 6:30pm), and Schieffer-Willowbrook will vote at their biannual meeting on Thursday, September 5 (Genesis Presbyterian Church, 6:30pm) The other meetings are still TBC.

PROJECT 1: Tree planting and educational signagE

* Add shade trees around the perimeter of Patterson Pool for the enjoyment and protection of swimmers.

* Add tree identification signage for the Community Grove, Post Oaks, and other trees found at the park. The priority is interactive signage encouraging park visitors to identify trees during different seasons based on their leaves, flowers, and nuts.

PROJECT 2: Enhancing safety and playability of the basketball court and baseball field

* Resurface aging blacktop.
* Replace baskets and add 9 ft baskets on sides of court for youth.
* Install a shade structure over the blacktop for sun safety.
* Replace backstop with a larger and angled style backstop.
* Install a 15′ – 20′ ft. bench for players with shade.
* Install a small 4 to 5 row bleacher for spectators with shade.
* Install warning and informational signage around the field.

Health and safety are the cornerstones of this project. Making improvements to the court and adding a shade structure will encourage many more people to use it for physical activity during more hours of the day, especially during warm months. Adding baskets at a rim height appropriate for younger players will encourage youth to play basketball using proper technique.

Replacing the backstop with an appropriately angled backstop would prevent baseballs from going into the street and the church parking lot. It would also improve pedestrian safety, as foul balls would not threaten walkers or joggers. The shaded seating structures would would give players, their friends and families a place to rest and offer support during hot Texas afternoons. Note that these improvements would make this a better practice field for adults and children, but that it will still not be appropriate for games because there is no netting along the foul lines.