Austin Park Foundation's First-ever ACL Music Festival Impact Grantee
St. John Park underwent a complete redevelopment after receiving Austin Parks Foundation’s inaugural ACL Music Festival Impact Grant of $100,000 in 2017. The Northeast Austin project broke ground in November of 2018, and APF is thrilled to have officially opened the park to the public with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, March 20.
Council Member Greg Casar, Austin Parks Foundation and Dell Technologies Match Play Representatives, along with the Parks & Recreation Department, as well as Anissa Castillo and Thelma "Grandma Wisdom" Williams of the St. John Neighborhood Association attended this special ribbon cutting.
St. John Park Redeveloped in Northeast Austin with More Than $450,000 in Funds Donated
Over $450,000 helped to create this vibrant and usable recreational space for the community. Besides the Impact Grant ($100,000), funding from the City of Austin 2012 Bond ($200,000), APF’s Board Designated Funds ($50,000), APF’s 2017 Dell Technologies Match Play proceeds ($100,000), and a community gift from Sunrise Mini Mart ($200) supported the transformation of St. John Park.
Most noteworthy are the new amenities in the park. Before, the park contained only a closed pool, but the redevelopment includes an entry plaza, park info kiosk, water fountain, pavilion, playscape and swings. Finally, with a new open lawn and looped walking trail, St. John Park brings new life to the community, and a place to gather as neighbors.
- Greg Casar – Council Member, District 4
- Allison Watkins – Chief Strategy Officer, Austin Parks Foundation
- John Howard – Director of Government Affairs, Dell Technologies
- Jordan Uppleger – Executive Director, World Golf Championships - Dell Technologies Match Play
- Anissa Castillo – Park Adopter, St. John Park
- Thelma Williams (Grandma Wisdom) - St. John Neighborhood Association and Resident of 70+ years
