The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with Austin Parks Foundation to renovate the Rosewood Neighborhood Park playground. The existing playground does not have shade or many playing options. The project team is seeking community input to develop a new playscape.

Community Survey #1 (closes September 6)
Community Survey #1 | Encuesta Comunitaria 1

Boat themed playground with swings nearby and roadway behind the playground

Background

Rosewood Neighborhood Parks is a 13.9-acre park 2 miles east of downtown. It was established in 1929 as Austin’s first public space for African Americans. Today, Rosewood Neighborhood Park remains a beloved neighborhood park with a significant history within the Rosewood Neighborhood and Austin as a whole. In February 2019, it was designated as a Lone Star Legacy Park by the Texas Recreation & Parks Society.

Each year, the Juneteenth park festival, which follows the annual Juneteenth parade, is celebrated at Rosewood Neighborhood Park with food and local vendors. The park is also home to the Dolores Duffie Recreation Center, Dorris Miller Auditorium, and the historic Henry G. Madison Cabin. The park currently includes a neighborhood pool and splashpad, ballfield, pavilions, and an existing playscape and nature play area.

Project Summary

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with Austin Parks Foundation to renovate the Rosewood Neighborhood Park playground. The existing manufactured playscape equipment includes swings and small ship-themed play structure. It currently offers little shade or play value for visitors. The project team will develop a playground replacement plan that aligns with the community’s preferences, park standards, and environmental features of the site.

Objectives

By replacing and improving the playground equipment, APF and PARD seek to accomplish the following objectives:

  • Connect with the community to ensure that the new playground meets the needs and preferences of the community and will serve the Dolores Duffie Recreation Center.
  • Increase the variety of play equipment available to encourage physical activity, social interaction, and imaginative play.
  • Create a welcoming environment accessible to children of all abilities.
  • Upgrade site furnishings and provide more shade for playground visitors.

Anticipated Schedule

  • Summer-Fall 2024: Community outreach and engagement
  • Fall 2024: Permitting and bid solicitations
  • Winter 2025: Begin construction
  • Spring 2025: Major construction competed

Schedule is tentative and may change.

Community Engagement

Austin Parks Foundation, in partnership with PARD, will work with community members to identify values and priorities for the playscape improvements. Community engagement will include a series of pop-ups. In addition to feedback captured during in-person engagement, surveys will be used to document community members' input. Information on future and past community engagement events will be listed here and supported with outreach on social media and locally placed signs.

Community Survey #1 (Open August 10-September 6)
Community Survey #1 | Encuesta Comunitaria 1
This survey will focus on determining community priorities for the new play equipment.

Community Pop-Ups
Come chat with project staff and review playscape designs.

Saturday, August 10th from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Delores Duffie Recreation Center
1182 North Pleasant Valley Road
Austin, TX 78702

Funding and Resources

This project is funded by Austin Parks Foundation.

Contact Information

For more information or to ask questions, please email Charles Mabry, Parks and Recreation Department Program Manager or design@austinparks.org.