Givens Park improvements almost done
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As Givens Park in southeast Austin prepares to open its redeveloped pool in just a couple of weeks, Delano Brown with the city's Parks and Recreation Department shares what this park means to the community, and what his hopes are for its future.
'So Givens Recreation Center is a historical site it's one of the Texas Lonestar Legacy parks, and that's something that we're really really proud of,' Brown said. 'This facility has been here since 1979 and kind of stood as a staple for the east Austin community.'
Of course, with that history comes the inevitable need for a tune up. The City first started taking feedback from the community about a project to revamp the park back in 2018.
These improvements include:
Reconstructed pool
Full HVAC replacement at rec center
New patios and sidewalks
New roof
Community garden
The improvements aren't just cosmetic or structural. Brown said they all serve a greater purpose.
'We're very excited about the improvements made to the park, both for safety and programming reasons,' he said.
While Givens Park is a fixture in the community, it's also been host to violent episodes like fights and shootings. It caught the eye of city leaders in 2023, and various departments — like APD, Parks and Rec and the Office of Violence Prevention — joined together to take a multidisciplinary approach aimed at curbing crime at the park.
'Having a space where the community can come feel uplifted, feel like they have access to not just indoor amenities, but outdoor spaces as well.. that's what we're focusing on,' Brown said. 'Making sure this is a place where the community trusts to come engage in a variety of activities.'
The ribbon cutting for the new Givens Pool is set for June 7. According to city officials, the full roof replacement should be done at the rec center by early next year.
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