Earl J. Pomerleau Pocket Park is Austin’s newest two-acre park in District 4. The concept plan for Pomerleau Pocket Park was adopted and developed in 2019 by Austin Parks Foundation (APF), in coordination with Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD). The park opened to the public in July 2023.
The design and construction of this project was funded by ACL Board Designated Funds, Urban Forestry Grant and through City of Austin Parkland Dedication Fees.
The project began in 2018 when Austin Parks Foundation awarded Design Services for Overall Park Planning to Windsor Park Neighborhood Association for the undeveloped parkland. This service gives Adopt-A-Park groups access to professional designers who guide the visioning and community engagement process. Park users and community members were able to express their hopes and needs for the future park through a series of community meetings and surveys. This community feedback ultimately resulted in the design of the concept plan that was officially adopted by PARD in 2019.
The first of three community meetings was held by APF and PARD on September 27, 2018. This meeting allowed the public to voice their opinions and desires for programming at the future park. The most popular option that showed up continually was a loop trail followed by shaded seating and playground equipment. Preservation of the park’s original natural amenities, including mature shade trees, open field space, and abundant wildflowers, was also a top priority for the community.
Two other community meetings followed over the next six months. Community members had a chance to express their opinions as APF designed the park concept. In the second meeting, community members could review two different layout options for the proposed park and give either a “red light” or a “green light” to various proposed amenities. As the design phase neared completion, community members picked their top three amenities: play area, picnic area and granite trail.
The final design plan included a shaded playground for children of all ages, maintained turf for flexible open space and maintaining the existing native meadow for a portion of the site. There are many options for exploration through the meandering loop trail layout and connection walks. The community will benefit from the addition of various options for seating, gathering, exercise and play.
Additionally, the APF development team secured funding from an individual donor to fund the highly desired pavilion at Pomerleau Pocket Park. Not originally included in the preliminary phase of construction due to funding, the pavilion was installed at Pomerleau Pocket Park in early 2024 and provides a shaded gathering space for the community at the newly opened park.
The park is located at 1906 Patton Lane, Austin, Texas 78723.