Project Playback: Replacing the Failing Playground at Springdale Park

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The 2019 park review came with some difficult news for Springdale Park and local residents. According to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s annual assessment, the Springdale playground was failing and became a priority for replacement. The assessment considers safety, age and the condition of the equipment when evaluating each park.  Using Board Designated Funds, and grant funds from the …

The Mayor of Mabson Field: Lee Dawson Jr.

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By Elizabeth McGuire Lee Dawson Jr., a native of East Austin, has been supporting his community for decades—one game at a time. Dawson grew up in the neighborhood and still lives within walking distance to Mabson Field, a youth baseball field that is adjacent to legendary Downs Field. Dawson volunteers his time, energy and good nature to help maintain the …

The History of Rosewood Park

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With special thanks to Amanda Covo, Deborah Sengupta Stith and Michael Barnes for the reporting. Links Below.Summertime pool dwellers, edge-of-your-seat baseball games and after-school programs have long had a home at Rosewood Park. Additionally, if the shade trees, picnic tables and stone walls could talk, they’d tell a story of community more than 90 years in the making. Situated two …

Colony Park District Park: A Premiere Green Space on Austin’s East Side

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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 …

Pomerleau Pocket Park: APF’s First-Ever Park Design Services

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Earl J. Pomerleau: A Hero for Alcohol and Drug Education in Central Texas & Mexico The Pomerleau Family, including their 5 children, moved to the Northeast side of Austin in 1972. The same year, Earl J. Pomerleau was hired by the State of Texas to bring the comprehensive alcohol treatment system that he had established in Nevada. Earl is credited …

Project Playback: Preserving the History of Downs-Mabson Fields

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Downs-Mabson Fields, specifically Mabson Field, is currently the ballpark of the Huston-Tillotson University Rams, but was once home to some of baseball’s legendary players. Although Austin has never hosted a Major League Baseball organization, a few of it’s biggest stars, including Hall of Famers, once played right here in central Texas. Austin Parks Foundation is proud to be a part …

Project Playback: New Playscape at Edward Rendon Sr. Metro Park

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In 2007, the park along the north east side shore of the river was renamed Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach, after a neighborhood activist who was known for his efforts to clean up the park and reduce the noise pollution on the lake. Now Austinites know Edward Rendon as a great place to enjoy the Anne and Roy …