We are thrilled to share the news that the City of Austin’s Neighborhood Partnering Program has approved our 2019 grant application and awarded our group $134,741 for improvements to the athletic facilities at Patterson Park! The objective of the project is to increase opportunities for residents of all ages to engage in play and physical activity at Patterson Park.

NPP’s review was delayed first by a staff shortage and later the pandemic, and their board just met to review two years of applications. After an agreement is signed this summer, we hope we will be able to implement the various elements of the project by the end of the year. 

The project includes $134,741 for
* new shade structure over the basketball court
* two new youth height basketball baskets
* replacing existing basketball backboards
* new park benches behind baseball backstop
* new limestone seating along trail next to the baseball field

Our 33% match (valued at $44,144) includes
* new baseball backstop (already completed with an Austin Parks Foundation grant + our own funds)
* replacing last 6 cement trash cans
* $3,000 cash
* volunteer work hours at Patterson Park and the Willowbrook Reach greenbelt

We deeply appreciate the work Friends of Patterson Park did developing this project with thoughtful discussion on our listserv and at community meetings, gathering support at the meetings of four neighborhood associations and door-to-door around the park, and preparing and reviewing the grant application. 

We are also grateful for the neighbors and neighborhood businesses who have supported our Amplify Austin fundraising campaigns and made our financial contribution to this project possible, Austin Parks Foundation for our recent Austin City Limits Music Festival Grant, and the many volunteers who mulch our park, clean up trash at our creek, and tend to the vegetable and pollinator gardens at our school. This is truly an amazing park community that came together to bring more fun, exercise and sun safety to Patterson Park!

Members of Friends of Patterson Park have voted to support improvements to the park’s basketball court and baseball field. These projects would implement the next two priorities in our Neighborhood Park Plan, shade structures (#7) and athletic field/court improvements (#8).

PROJECT 1: Enhance safety and playability of the basketball court

• 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.

Health is 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.

PROJECT 2: Enhance safety and playability of the baseball field

• Replace backstop with a larger and angled style backstop.
• Install a 15′ – 20′ ft. bench for players with shade.
• Install a small four – five row bleacher for spectators with shade.
• Install warning and informational signage around the field.

Safety is the cornerstone of this project. 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.

The vote was held online using Google Forms and 55 member voted, with 93% in favor and 7% opposed.  The next steps are to present the projects for to nearby neighborhood associations for approval, and then apply for funding to complete the project. The goal is to install in 2020.