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. City Council District 1
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.
In Progress
- Pool Renovation
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Please visit the Givens Aquatic Facility Renovation webpage.
- Interpretative Signage
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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
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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.
- Givens District Park Recreation Center Renovation Project
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On December 12, 2024, Council approved the execution of a contract for Parks and Recreation Department’s Givens District Park Recreation Center Renovation project with Brown and Root Industrial Services, LLC.. The project will enhance the facility’s functionality and ensure it continues to serve the community. Key upgrades include a complete replacement of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system, a new roof, and accessibility improvements. Public use of the facility will be impacted during this renovation project. The construction schedule and updated programming information will be communicated to the community as soon as the arrangements are finalized. The center will close and cease all operations inside while the heating and air conditioning system and upper gym windows are replaced. Contract negotiations with Brown and Root Industrial Services, LLC is in progress. Construction work is anticipated to start in the Spring 2025. This project is funded through voter-approved Proposition C of the 2018 General Obligation Bond
Completed Projects
The following projects have been completed.
- Playground Replacement
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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 12th Street. Work was completed in April 2021.
- Resurfacing and Repair of Sports Courts
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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.
- North Ballfield Lighting Improvements
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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.
- Security Lights
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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.
- Givens Recreation Center Interior Improvements
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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.
- New Restroom, Multi-Use Field, Field Lighting, and Plaza
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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. Previous engagement efforts are detailed below.
- Vision Plan
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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.
- Community Meeting #1: July 14, 2018
- Community Meeting #2: July 28, 2018
- Community Meeting #3: October 9, 2018
- Community Meeting #4: December 4, 2018
Review the summary of engagement here (PDF).
- Phase I Implementation
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Givens Working Group Meetings
- October 9, 2019
- November 6, 2019
- December 18, 2019
- March 11, 2020
Community Meeting, November 13, 2019
- Community Updates
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Funding and Resources
Funding has been provided by the 2018 General Obligation Fund and the Austin Parks Foundation.
Contact Information
For more information, email D'Anne Williams, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation, or call (512) 974-9456.