Community Corner
Ribbon Cutting Set For Revamped Austin Park
St. John Neighborhood Park at 889 Wilks Ave. has been revamped with $450,000 in donated funds, and public is invited to help celebrate.
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Civic leaders on Wednesday gathered at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for St. John Neighborhood Park that was revamped with $450,000 in donated funds.
St. John Park underwent a complete redevelopment after receiving Austin Parks Foundation’s inaugural ACL Music Festival Impact Grant of $100,000 in 2017, along with additional funding. The Northeast Austin project broke ground in November of 2018, and APF officials are set to officially open the park to the public on March 20 at 8:30 a.m.
The park located at 889 Wilks Ave. has been transformed into "...a vibrant and usable recreational space for the community," officials said. The Impact Grant ($100,000), combined with funding from the City of Austin 2012 Bond funding ($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) allowed for the park's transformation, officials said.
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The redevelopment project includes an entry plaza, park info kiosk, water fountain, pavilion, playscape and swings. "With a new open lawn and looped walking trail, St. John Park brings new life to the community," officials said.
The APF team was joined by District 4 City Council Member Greg Casar; City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department representatives; John Howard, director of government affairs for Dell Technologies; Jordan Uppleger, executive director of the World Golf Championship - Dell Technologies Match Play; the St. John Park Adoption team; and members of the community.
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Casar, Howard and Uppleger also offered remarks at the ceremony along with Allison Watkins, chief strategy officer with the Austin Parks Foundation and Anissa Castillo, a park adopter.
Attendees were served breakfast, and were invited to dress comfortably while enjoying the park after the ceremony. As evidenced by the attached photo above, attendees at the ribbon-cutting — primarily children attending the ceremony — began to enjoy the revamped park immediately after its makeover unveiling.
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