After decades of advocacy and a full master plan for the neighborhood, residents of Colony Park are receiving funding and project coordination from Austin Parks Foundation, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and St. David's Foundation to develop a premier park in the growing District 1 community. In 2016, the Park Master Planning process began and was implemented over the next three years.

In addition to the new park, the Colony Park Neighborhood received a $3 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant, which are awarded to government entities and non-profit organizations working to support and develop sustainable communities.

Colony Park District Park Groundbreaking + Healthy Living Grant from St. David's Foundation

After the years-long process of creating a Master Plan, it was time to implement Phase 1 and break ground on the 93-acre site. The park officially broke ground in 2016 with the help of a $700 thousand Healthy Living Grant from St. David's Foundation. This grant was a part of their mission to address Central Texas' top health challenges by creating spaces for Austinite's to be the healthiest people they can be.

In addition, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department contributed $400 thousand for the completion of the project. Check out this aerial view of the construction:

Dell Technologies Match Play Fitness Plazas Encourage Healthy & Active Lifestyles for Surrounding Community

Austin Parks Foundation is grateful for Dell Technologies Match Play and their $100,000 investment in Colony Park District Park. Their generous gift was used to create Fitness Plazas along a walking trail that wraps around the park land. We're excited for this addition to the park, and the impact of creating fitness opportunities for park guests.

Dell Technologies Match Play donated $100,000 for the completion of the fitness zones at Colony Park District Park!

Neighbors Aim to Unite the Surrounding Community Through Sustainable Development

The Master Plan for Colony Park District Park integrates and reflects the needs of the surrounding community. The park's design aims to create outdoor recreation opportunities including multi-use trails, an all-inclusive children's play environment, a multi-purpose field, a baseball/softball field, a pavilion, benches, drinking fountains and more.

Adjacent to new housing developments and long-standing neighborhoods, the park and the Turner Roberts Recreation Center will be linked to those who live nearby. The park will fit the needs of Austinites of differing abilities, creating a shared space for gathering, fitness and play for everyone.

Peace and Harmony Mural by local Austin Artist Tyson D. Davis

Colony Park District Park will also be home to the City of Austin - Art In Public Places (AIPP) Peace and Harmony Mural. Local Austin Artist, Tyson D. Davis, partnered with the community to brainstorm and gather inspiration for the 30 x 60 feet mural painted on the wall of the Turner Roberts Recreation Center's auxiliary building.

He was inspired by the imagery of doves taking flight as it represents the displacement of communities on the East side of Austin but also celebrates the strength, empowerment and hope for the community's future. The mural will be visible from most areas of the park, and especially front and center of the new playscape and equipment. Click here to check out a video of artist Tyson Davis working on his mural with Overton Elementary students.

Colony Park District Park Expected Late 2019

We're thrilled to announce that a completed park will be here as soon as December 2019. We believe this 93-acre community space will have a sizeable impact on the surrounding neighborhood. Colony Park District Park is a perfect example of creating parks that support a healthy lifestyle and fit the needs of every Austinite no matter their abilities. As of August 2019, the playscape equipment was being installed! Check out the progress:

Colony Park District Park Playscape Progress as of Late August 2019

Austin Parks Foundation: People + Parks

Austin Parks Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission of increasing park access in Austin, TX. Our goal is to have a great park within a 10-minute walk of every Austinite, no matter what part of town they call home. In 2019, Austin ranked 43rd out of the top 100 cities in the United States for Park Access. For a city that boasts 300+ parks, trails and green spaces, there's a lot of room for improvement. Unfortunately, there's a problem: our park system is vastly underfunded to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

How can you help? We have open volunteer opportunities on the first Saturday of every month, innovative programming like Little Hummingbird Society, third-party fundraising opportunities for local businesses or by making a donation today. Thank you for your interest in our work in Austin's parks!