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Comal Pocket Park Renovation
Parque Comal or Comal Park is nestled in central east Austin on the corner of Comal and 3rd Street. Originally home to Comal School in 1925, the small park was established around 1955 after the building of the AB Cantu/Pan American Center. In 2002, the colorful archway was built as a community project by neighborhood volunteers.
Today, the neighborhood is in a stage of redevelopment with new residential buildings occurring along 4th Street and beyond. In addition, Housing Authority City of Austin (HACA) is progressing on Chalmers South and will continue development of their existing property in the future. The park’s renovation is intended to meet the needs of the ever changing population while maintaining a connection to its storied history.
Project Purpose
The aging infrastructure is in need of an upgrade. Current plans call for a new entry and additional sidewalk along with improvements to the parks overall accessibility. The restroom will remain closed and renovated into storage. The existing shelter will remain as well with no improvements planned. The playground equipment, picnic area, half-court basketball, landscaping, site furnishings and signage will be replaced or updated. New seating areas and a bocce ball court are planned. The archway will remain and an additional low wall is planned that will allow for more community artwork and creativity to be displayed.
Project Scope
The scope for this project consists of relocating and replacing the playground structure, improving the picnic area with tables, seating and grills. The full-court basketball will be reduce to half-court to allow for the playground relocation. Raised deck seating under the existing Live Oaks and plaza seating will added. A new bocce ball court will be installed. Along Comal Street, a new wall will be installed that will be decorated with tiles that are created by the community.
Project Schedule
Project initiation – January 13, 2014
Final Design – summer 2019
Permitting/Bidding – fall/ winter 2019
Construction Start – winter/ spring 2020
Construction Completion – summer 2020
Current Phases and Updates
Permitting/Bidding
- Working on Permitting with the City
- Bidding in Fall/Winter 2019
Contracting - Fall/Winter 2019
Construction Start - Early 2020
Funding Source
$500,000 has been allocated from the 2012 and 2018 bond funding.
Community Engagement
Survey Results of preferred playground layout (PDF) - Survey closed January 10, 2020.
Option A was selected by community members.
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The park renovation process included multiple opportunities for the community to voice their opinions and desires. Community engagement elements included stakeholder meetings, survey, and public meetings.
Community Meeting #1
Fall 2016
Comal Park - 300 Comal Street, Austin TX 78702
Community Meeting #2
March 25, 2017
Comal Park - 300 Comal Street, Austin TX 78702
Community Survey - April 2017 - Community Online Survey
Survey Results (pdf)
Community Meeting #3
September 27, 2018 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Chalmers Courts Community Room
1801 E 4th Street, Austin, TX 78702
Meeting #3 Presentation (pdf)
Meeting #3 Comments (pdf)
Community Meeting #4
December 12, 2019, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
1640 E. 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78702
The meeting will be an update on the park progress and when construction will begin. We will also present playground options to the community for review.
Boards & Commissions Meetings
Memo to Parks and Recreation Board April 23, 2019
Project Contact
Scott Sinn, Landscape Architect II
City of Austin Parks and Recreation
(512)974-9474
Scott.Sinn@austintexas.gov
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City Data
Austin Notes