Givens District Park Improvements

Givens District Park is a 40-acre park acquired by the City in 1957 and named after Dr. Everrett H. Givens, dentist, World War I veteran, and beloved civic leader in 1962. Since 1979, the recreation center has served this vibrant and historic community of East Austin. The Givens District Park Vision Plan was approved in January 2019 to provide a framework for improvements to the park. Using 2018 bond funding, the first phase of implementing the plan is complete. District 1

Updates

The new multipurpose field, restroom, and picnic shelters at Givens District Park (District 1) opened in October, completing the first phase of the Vision Plan’s implementation.

Check below for previous updates.

Background

Givens District Park is a 40-acre park acquired by the City in 1957 and named after Dr. Everett H. Givens in 1962. Tannehill Creek runs north to south through the entire park and provides a source of water for many of the large shade trees located along its banks. Park amenities in the park include a recreation center, a swimming pool with a bathhouse, two covered pavilions, one stage, restrooms, a playscape and swingset, 2 basketball courts, 2 tennis courts, picnic tables, grills, and two ballfields with bleacher seating. The recreation center opened to the community in 1979. More information on the center and the programs provided can be found at Givens Recreation Center | AustinTexas.gov

The park vision plan was approved in January 2019.

Project Description

Below are several projects planned or in progress as part of the Givens District Park Improvement implementation.

Pool Renovation

Additional information and updates can be found at Givens Aquatic Facility Renovation

Interpretative Signage

The PARD Historic Preservation and Tourism Program (HPT) team will prepare an interpretive sign package for the park. HPT consulted with community members about the topics and, utilized the Ambassador Program to attain better information from the community regarding the topics chosen. One marquee sign will celebrate Dr. Givens for whom the park is named. Three interpretive signs about topics selected through a community survey will be placed in three locations within the park. The bronze plaque for Martin Banks near the pavilion named for him will be replaced with an identical bronze plaque set in limestone rock. The signs are anticipated to be installed as part of the restroom, multi-use, and plaza project. This project is in the design phase.

Water Quality

The City of Austin Watershed Protection Department will prepare a design for the water quality/wildflower meadow proposed in the approved Vision Plan, south of the Recreation Center and north of the proposed multi-use field. The proposal includes a series of shallow terraces and a small infiltration pond. The Watershed Department will maintain the pond within the park. This project is in the design phase.

Recreation Center Roof and HVAC Unit Replacement

The staff has obtained a consultant to develop construction documents to secure a contract for renovation work to include replacement/ repairs of HVAC, plumbing, roof, and accessibility items to meet current regulations. Work began on the construction documents in Winter 2023, and the project is expected to go to bid in Summer 2024.

Completed Projects

The following projects have been completed.

Playground Replacement

Replacement and upgrade of the playscape in the northeast corner of the park, adding recreation value including music games, improvements to accessibility with new seating, and a sidewalk connection to 12^th Street. Work was completed in April 2021.

Image of new Givens Park playground equipment

Resurfacing and Repair of Sports Courts

Resurfacing and striping of existing Basketball and Tennis Courts in the southeast area of the park. Work includes fencing and basketball backstop repairs, new striping, and added fencing to accommodate Futsal as a new use to one of the tennis courts. Work was completed in March 2020 with the assistance of Austin Parks Foundation funding.

Givens Basketball and Tennis courts

North Ballfield Lighting Improvements

The upgrade and replacement of existing ballfield lights to reduce utility and maintenance costs and extend the life of the fixtures. Improvements include a remote control and monitoring system and an extended warranty that leads to faster response time to address repairs or other issues. Completed March 2021.

Givens ballfield lighting aerial

Security Lights

The Parks Department will replace lights in the Martin Banks Pavilion and add three solar, LED lights on poles within the park. Completed early 2022.

Solar Light fixture

Givens Recreation Center Interior Improvements

The Parks Department recreation programming staff placed new laminate flooring in the front lobby and staff offices. They recently completed the repainting of the interior giving it a fresh new look. They also purchased and installed a new entry reception desk to complete the interior improvements. Completed in early 2022.

Interior Recreation Center Floor Improvements

New Restroom, Multi-Use Field, Field Lighting, and Plaza

Replacement of a small restroom south of the recreation center with a new, larger, accessible restroom, adjacent to a new plaza with shaded picnic seating and an accessible walkway that will connect to the recreation center. The project will also replace an under-utilized ballfield with a multi-purpose field including new fencing and field lighting. Work began in the summer of 2022 and was completed in October 2023.

Community Engagement

Community input was instrumental in the planning process and has guided the first phase of the vision plan implementation to reflect the desires of the community.

Vision Plan

The Parks and Recreation Department hosted four community meetings and corresponding surveys in 2018 to create opportunities for community members to share their visions for the park.