Brush Square, O. Henry Museum, and Garrison Park Basketball Court
Brush Square and O. Henry Museum Ribbon Cutting
Austin Parks and Recreation Department had a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, September 17 to celebrate the completion of a major renovation of historic Brush Square and the restoration of the O. Henry Museum.
Brush Square is one of the three remaining original downtown, public squares as envisioned in Edwin Waller’s 1839 plan for Austin. At one time, small houses faced the square, which hosted informal public uses like markets. In 1916, the square became a city park beginning the era of Brush Square known today.
In 1934, the Victorian home that once housed author William S. Porter, better known as O. Henry, was relocated to the site becoming one of the first history museums in the city. In 1938, the Art Deco style Fire Station #1 was constructed and is still active today. The 1870s home of Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson was relocated to the square in 2001.
In Spring 2018, the planning process began for the Square and the final plan was adopted by City Council in 2019. Phase I of the implementation was completed in the summer 2023. The historic O. Henry Museum, built in 1889, is a City of Austin Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Garrison Park Play ATX Basketball Court Improvement Celebration
Spurs Give and Austin Parks Foundation are donating nearly $500K to launch “Play ATX,” a multi-year program dedicated to renovating parks and basketball courts throughout Austin. Spurs Give and Austin Parks Foundation are working in partnership with PARD to create safe play spaces and foster active lifestyles for families by rebuilding, refurbishing and updating community parks and basketball courts. Play ATX launched in April 2023 with its first court renovation at Dove Springs District Park. Garrison Park is the second park to be improved through Play ATX.