Tag: parkplan

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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Friends of Patterson Park illustration by Caitlin Alexander

Proposed project: Updating furnishings and improving trails

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Part of the Neighborhood Park Plan series of posts.

Friends of Patterson Park is preparing for the second step in the execution of our Neighborhood Park Plan. The plan identified community priorities for Patterson Park based on the survey we conducted in 2016. We have applied for funding for the #1 priority, playground improvements, and hope to carry out this project in the fall. The #2 and #3 priorities, pool and bathroom improvements, must be undertaken by the city due to their scope. This brings us to updating the amenities/furnishings (#4) and trail improvements (#5).

When we began the park planning process, our furnishings were all aging and the trail was in poor condition. The Parks and Recreation Department has done extensive work at Patterson in the last two years, including replacing many off the old pebble encrusted trash cans and aging metal picnic tables, and reconditioning and extending the crushed granite trail. In addition, FoPP has secured grants from the Austin Parks Foundation to update the picnic tables and trash cans at the pavilion and pool.

To complete the work of updating furnishings, we would like to

  1. replace the remaining old trash cans (6) and add some at new locations (2-3)
  2. add grills to some of the heavily used picnic tables that don’t have them, including the small pavilion (2-4)
  3. add new seating (benches or boulders) along the trail (3-4)
  4. add picnic tables next to amenities , including the sculpture and some of the athletic fields/courts (3-4)

To complete the trail improvements, we would like to

  1. add new seating along the trail at a few locations (also part of furnishings updates above)
  2. add trail markers for 3/4 mile loop
  3. add map or signage indicating location of park amenities
  4. improve connection to Mueller with signage to the Southwest Greenway trail and shaded seating at intersection

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Patterson Park playground addition

Playground Addition Grant Submitted

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This week Friends of Patterson Park submitted an application to Austin Parks Foundation for an ACL Music Festival Community Grant to fund the playground addition project we developed over the last year.  The project includes 1) new playground equipment (circular monkey bars and spinners next to the current playground), 2) additional benches (under the shade of the oak trees),  3) boulders and stumps for natural play and seating (in front of the bathrooms), and 4) a line of stepping stones (under the trees next to the toddler playground). The addition was approved in October, and the surrounding neighborhoods voted in favor of it at the same time they voted to support our Neighborhood Park Plan.

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playground addition site panoramic.sm

Site for proposed playground addition.

The playground addition addresses the first priority identified in the 2016 Survey of Community Priorities for Patterson Park, improvements to the playground. Potential projects were identified as new play equipment, additional seating, and natural play opportunities. The full set of community priorities is the following:

1. Playground improvements
2. Pool improvements
3. Bathroom improvements
4. Amenities/furnishings
5. Trail improvements
6. Tree plantings
7. Shade Structures
8. Athletic field/court improvements
9. Skate ramp improvements
10. Lighting
11. Fitness Equipment
12. Other

Friends of Patterson Park illustration by Caitlin Alexander

Park Plan Submitted to City for Review

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The Patterson Neighborhood Park Plan developed over the last two years has been submitted to they City of Austin’s Department of Parks and Recreation for final review and adoption. The plan was based on the Survey of Community Priorities for Patterson Park conducted in 2016 and community meetings held in 2017. Friends of Patterson Park approved the plan 61-2 in an online poll held in October 2017, and the Cherrywood, Delwood 2, Mueller , Schieffer-Willowbrook, and Wilshire Wood/Delwood 1 Neighborhood Associations voted to approve the plan at meetings held that fall and winter.

The Patterson Neighborhood Park Plan is available for review and download here.

Patterson trail work Feb1. Photo by J. Potter-Miller/FoPP.

Patterson Trails Refreshed and Extended

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The City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department  did extensive work on the park’s trails over the last two weeks, reconditioning the existing granite path and adding two new sections. There is a new connection from the roundabout to Schieffer Ave., and another one from the roundabout to Airport Blvd., going past the basketball court and community garden. These will be so beneficial to park users, and we are grateful for the attention and responsiveness of the city!

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Photos by J. Potter-Miller/FoPP

Baseball diamond imrovements at Patterson Park. Photo by J. Potter-Miller/FoPP.

Cap City Cobras Turn Field into a Baseball Diamond

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The Cap City Cobras, a baseball team competing in the Sandlot League, has been practicing at Patterson Park for 2 years. This weekend they came out to turn the field into a proper baseball diamond with bases marked off and a pitcher’s mound. Thanks PARD for the donated materials, and thanks Cobras for the hard work! We look forward to seeing more folks of all ages playing ball at the park.

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Photos by J. Potter-Miller

 

Friends of Patterson Park community meeting January 20, 2018.

Notes: FoPP Community Meeting Jan. 20

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Twelve Friends of Patterson Park met at the playground on January 20 to review plans for spring projects.  The major topics were 1) the tree planting planned for March 10, 2) grant application for playground improvements due April 30, and 3) spring fundraising. There was a great discussion with several issues resolved and we enjoyed dinner together at the pavilion afterward.

Tree Planting

Guest speakers Bill Stout (Austin Parks Foundation) and Suzannah DesRoches (TreeFolks) spoke about the location of the new grove of trees to be planted in March, and led a discussion of how to organize a “Patterson Tree Huggers” watering crew, what it would involve, and ways to offer an “adopt-a-tree” marker for families participating in the crew as an incentive. The decision was made to use Treegator watering bags to maximize ease of watering and efficient soaking, and to search for markers that can be attached to tree branches identifying the species and recognizing a tree adopter.

The area where the grove will be planted is just west and north of the playground. Bill has worked out a plan with PARD where they will use their equipment to clear the bermuda grass and dig post holes prior to planting day. Austin Resource Recovery will donate cardboard, and APF will donate mulch, so that on March 10 volunteers will plant the trees, and cover the entire area with cardboard and mulch to suppress grass. This will allow mowing crews to stay clear of the young trees.

The list of trees included in the planned grove is Burr Oak, Monterrey Oak, Flameleaf Sumac, Goldenball Lead, Texas Kidneywood, Mexican Plum, Texas Persimmon, Red Bud, Desert Willow, Anacacho Orchid. TreeFolks plans to procure them from the Barton Springs Nursery.

Playground Improvements

FoPP has worked with PARD to identify circular monkey bars and spinners as equipment that will 1) fit in this area 2) meet need for new equipment focused on strength and balance, and 3) be durable. The preferred vendor is Landscape Structures. Paige Oliverio Hill (Urban Patchwork) presented her design for seating around the area where the playground addition is planned. This is immediately adjacent to the playground, on the west side. Plans also include steps down to the bathrooms, and boulders for natural play and seating in front of the bathrooms.

Spring Fundraising

Jennifer Potter-Miller, FoPP Chair, shared plans to raise funds through the Austin Parks Foundation during the Austin Marathon races (Feb. 18) and Amplify Austin (March 1-2). There will be a taco night on Feb. 20 at her house for neighbors interested in creating individual fundraising pages for Amplify.

Friends of Patterson Park illustration by Caitlin Alexander

Community Meeting Saturday, Jan. 20

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Please join Friends of Patterson Park at the pavilion on Saturday, January 20 for a community meeting to discuss projects planned for 2018. We can order pizza for dinner afterward!

AGENDA

4-4:30 pm Tree planting

Guest speakers: Bill Stout, Austin Parks Foundation and Suzannah DesRoches, TreeFolks

Finalize project plans, including location of new grove, selection of tree species, and watering commitment. Planting is scheduled for March 10, and planting prep will take place on It’s My Park Day, March 3.

4:30-5 pm Playground addition

Guest speaker: Paige Oliverio Hill, Urban Patchwork

Review plans for installation of circular monkey bars, spinners, and seating,

5-5:30 pm Upcoming fundraisers and discussion of small project/phased addition of park furnishings

Speaker: Jennifer Potter-Miller, FoPP

In search of neighbors to fundraise for Friends of Patterson Park during the Austin Marathon races (Feb. 18) and Amplify Austin (Mar. 1-2). Also, should we consider a small project this spring as playground addition would not be implemented until fall?

proposed Patterson Park playground addition

 

Friends of Patterson Park illustration by Caitlin Alexander

Park Plan Continues to Move Forward

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Both the Cherrywood and Schieffer-Willowbrook Neighborhood Associations voted unanimously to approve the Patterson Neighborhood Park Plan in November! The Mueller and Delwood 2 Neighborhood Associations previously approved the plan, and and the last association to review it will be Wilshire Wood/Delwood 1. They will hold their next meeting in the next few weeks, and after that the plan moves to the Department of Parks and Recreation for formal review and adoption.

The Patterson Neighborhood Park Plan is available for review and download here.

Friends of Patterson Park illustration by Caitlin Alexander

Neighborhoods Move Forward on Patterson Neighborhood Park Plan

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We are pleased to share the news that the Mueller and Delwood 2 Neighborhood Associations have recently voted to support the Patterson Neighborhood Park Plan. This week, Cherrywood will vote on the plan at their general meeting on Nov. 15 and Schieffer Willowbrook will vote at a special called meeting on Nov. 18. If you live in Cherrywood or Schieffer, please come out to learn more about the plan and participate in the vote.

The Patterson Neighborhood Park Plan is available for review and download here.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Cherrywood Neighborhood Association General Meeting
in.gredients, 2610 Manor Rd.
Refreshments available, kids welcome.

Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.
Schieffer Willowbrook Neighborhood Association Special Meeting
3909 Grayson Ln.
Tacos and coffee provided, kids welcome.