Metz Playscape Replacement

Update

This project is complete and open to the public! A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for August 1, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Background

Metz Neighborhood Park is a 6.9-acre park located at 2407 Canterbury St, Austin TX 78702. The park includes a playscape, splash pad, pool, a covered basketball court, and bike polo court adjacent to the Mendez Recreation Center. The playscape is located behind and slightly west of the recreation center. The existing playscape was constructed and installed in 2001 prior to the renovation of the Mendez Recreation Center in 2006. 

Project Description

This project introduced new play equipment at Metz Neighborhood Park to replace the existing aging equipment. The new play equipment added newer play features and elements to enhance the park and build upon what was previously installed. Minor ADA improvements were made to improve accessibility to and from the playscape. New amenities include:

• Improved shade via shade structure, canopy, or shade integrated with play equipment
• Increased amount of play features/elements
• Additional trees
• Nature-based play features/elements

Objectives

• Increase variety of play features/elements in playscape area to allow for maximum enjoyment of play area.
• Improve accessibility to playscape from Mendez Recreation Center and the adjacent parking lot.
• Increased amount of shade in and near playscape.
• Reflect the mission and values of the local community and the Mendez Recreation Center.   

Project Schedule

• Summer 2024: Community Engagement
• Fall 2024: Design Development, Construction Documentation & Permitting
• Winter 2025: Construction Start
• Summer 2025: Construction Complete and Open to the Public

Community Engagement 

PARD worked with community members to identify values and priorities for the playscape improvements. Community engagement included two rounds of online, public surveys supported by pop-up events. The Mendez Recreation Center youth were inspired to create their own survey during the first round of engagement. Input from this youth-led survey and the first online community survey informed the second round of community engagement. The project team met with the children to report the initial results and launch the second-round of engagement with a pop-up especially for these primary users of the future playscape.  Details can be found below.

Round 1: Existing Play Features

Engagement focused on evaluating the existing play features with the community to determine priorities for the new equipment.

Community Survey closed June 17, 2024.

• Community Survey #1 | Encuesta Comunitaria 1
• Online Survey 1 Results

Pop-Ups

• Metz Playground & Mendez Recreation Center
• Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
• Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 9-10 am
• Tuesday, June 4, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Latinapalooza Sunday, May 26 from noon to 2 p.m.
  Lampkin Pavilion in Rosewood Park, 1182 North Pleasant Valley Rd.

Round 2: Future Play Amenities

Engagement focused on determining preferences for the future equipment including theming, colors, and playscape elements. 

Community Survey (Survey Closed July 21)

• Metz Playscape Survey #2 | Encuesta Comunitaria 2
• Online Survey 2 Results

Pop-Ups at Metz Playground & Mendez Recreation Center

• Pop-Up and Survey 2 Launch with Mendez Campers
  Monday, July 1 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Friday, July 5 from 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, July 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Funding and Resources

The project is funded by Certificates of Obligation (COs). COs are non-voter approved municipal bonds designed to finance public projects identified as essential for the community.

Contact Information 

For more information or to provide feedback, feel free to contact PARD Project Manager, Reynaldo Hernandez by email or phone at (512) 974-9464.