Today we are excited to announce we have designated more than $140,000 in grant funding as part of our annual fall cycle improving seven local parks as part of our Parks Grants Program.
The fall 2014 Park Grants Program recipients include:
The Windsor Park Neighborhood Association, who will use their $12,500 grant to install three playscape shades for the playground areas within Bartholomew Park. The shades will provide protection from the sun to prevent the risk of burns for children and adult skin cancers. They hope to have this project completed before the summer of 2015.
The Friends of Barton Springs Pool, who will use their funds totaling $3,400 to provide cleaning supplies and equipment for the pool cleaning volunteer events that will take place throughout the year. The volunteers will assist the pool staff with cleaning and managing the grounds to restore the habitat, remove invasive algae and weeds, and make other physical improvements and repairs to Barton Springs Pool and grounds.
The South River City Citizens, who will help to implement an approved plan that will make Heritage Oaks Park compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by installing a ramp, while also adding a trail, picnic tables, trashcans and benches. They will receive $25,491 in funding.
The Friends of Patterson Park, who plan on continuing their work toward creating a community garden in east Austin, which will be completed by the spring of 2015. Their $17,187 grant will fund the necessary infrastructure for a community garden, including an irrigation system, fencing, gates, a tool shed, a shade pergola, compost bins and perimeter landscaping.
The Friends of Perry Park, who plan to use their $22,116 grant to resurface the tennis courts and to provide a trail to a new Perry Art Park. The Friends of Perry Park have partnered with The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria for a long-term loan of a sculpture from their collection, and PARD, the Art Commission and the Land and Facilities Commission have approved their plans.
The Friends of Ponciana Park, who will use their $50,000 grant to implement the master plan created by the city of Austin to bring playground equipment, benches, trashcans and other improvements to the park located in the Dove Springs neighborhood. They hope to have the project completed by June 2015 in time for the children of Austin to enjoy it during the summer months.
The Friends of Stillhouse Hollow Nature Preserve, who plan to use their funds totaling $13,550 to install benches along the trail, new signage concerning park rules, a butterfly garden and a four-sided durable kiosk to display a trail map and other information about the park.
To learn more about our Grants Program visit https://austinparks.org/park-grants-program.html or email grants@austinparks.org. And when you’re out in the community, look for our signs (pictured above) to see grant projects in action!
