In March 2020, Austin Parks Foundation allocated 2019 ACL board-designated funds for the renovation of Govalle Neighborhood Park. This preliminary fund allocation came after the play equipment in the park was identified as a priority for replacement. In addition to replacing the playground equipment, APF came to understand that there was a great need for a better functioning multi-purpose field as well.
A young girl ready to go down the slide at Govalle Neighborhood Park.
As with all park improvement projects, APF and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department held community engagement meetings throughout the design process to ensure all proposed improvements had community support and met the needs of the people in surrounding neighborhoods. A common theme throughout the community was desire for nature play pieces, lighting to increase the open field use and accessibility to the park from surrounding neighborhoods. During the public engagement process, additional improvements were identified in the event that additional funding were to become available. Fortunately, thanks to community advocacy for funding from nearby developments and other generous partners, the following improvements were able to come to fruition with this project:
- Safety Lighting – allowing people to move and access the various areas of the park at all hours.
- Basketball Court Lighting – aiding the ability to play into the evening or early in the morning.
- Connection Walk to the Bridge, Trail and Basketball Court – Allowing easier, greener access to the park from surrounding neighborhoods.
- New Backstop on Multipurpose Field – improving use of the softball field.
Boys playing basketball on the renovated basketball court.
The Govalle Neighborhood Park project was made possible thanks to funding contributions from APF board-designated ACL funds, Tres Grace Foundation, Jay Paul Company, Hershey Foundation, Urban Forestry Grant, PlaceMkr, OHT Partners, LLC and Park Land Dedication funding.
Young girl plays on updated equipment at Govalle Neighborhood Park.
PROJECT TIMELINE
MARCH 2020: The APF Board designated 2019 ACL funding for updates to the park.
JULY 2020: Community engagement began. The project team identified key stakeholders and preliminary information on project scope along with a date for the first community engagement meeting.
By Mia: There is a rock climbing tunnel to go up, a hot air balloon design with a lot of colors because I want it to stand out. There’s two connected swings and a tunnel with two arches to crawl through.
SEPTEMBER 2020 – MARCH 2021: Community engagement meetings were held. The design team received feedback from the surrounding community on desires and layout refinement for the park.During the design process, a Govalle Elementary School art teacher helped facilitate an activity that allowed students to create renderings for what they imagined the new playground would look like.
The Walk Through By Steve: There are monkey bars, a tunnel in the middle to walk through. It is a two-story playground. The 1st floor has a ladder to climb up to the 2nd story. There are three slides: two orange and one blue. The black net is a netted bridge tunnel in the shape of a rectangular prism that you can climb through.
The Butterfly Park by Deysi: It has butterfly statues. There are two slides and a rock climbing wall. There is a little park for little kids.
AUGUST 2021: Construction bidding began.
JANUARY – JULY 2022: Playground construction.
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2022: Multi-Purpose Field renovation and connection walks were constructed.
OCTOBER 1 – 31, 2022: Turf grow in period for the new multipurpose field.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022: The official ribbon cutting for Govalle Neighborhood Park will be held at 11AM.
As this project nears completion, Austin Parks Foundation would love to welcome the community join us at 11AM on Monday, November 7, as we officially open the renovated Govalle Neighborhood Park. Stop by and enjoy the new playscapes, basketball court and walking trails as we celebrate all the hard work that went into updating this park experience.
