Austin Parks and Recreation

Person walking a dog on a paved trail by a river lined with trees

Brownie Neighborhood Park Project

Brownie Park playground with rope climbers and swings and edge of picnic pavilion

City Council District 4

Project Summary

Austin Parks and Recreation finalized the Brownie Neighborhood Park Concept Plan in 2018 after community engagement with nearby residents who provided the vision for the future development of the park. The most recent phase of implementation included a picnic pavilion, irrigation system expansion, a loop walking trail, solar security lighting, benches, picnic tables, a new playground, a new drinking fountain, a basketball court, and a vehicular turnaround with ADA parking spaces. This project is open to the public.

Background

The recent phase of implementation at Brownie Neighborhood Park included a picnic pavilion, irrigation system expansion, a loop walking trail, solar security lighting, benches, picnic tables, a new playground, a new drinking fountain, a basketball court, and a vehicular turnaround with ADA parking spaces. The design reflects the sensitivity to the nearby creek and provides green infrastructure in collaboration with Austin Watershed Protection.

Project Timeline

  • April 2021: Community Engagement
  • Summer 2022: Permitting and Construction Documents
  • Fall 2022: Construction Start
  • Winter 2025: Construction Complete

Community Engagement

Austin Parks and Recreation held two virtual meetings and two pop-up park events in the spring of 2021. The purpose of the meetings was to develop the design of the concept plan further and to prioritize the scope of the next phase. A summary of the two virtual community meetings can be found below.

DateEventLocationMaterials
April 22, 2021Community Meeting 1Virtual

Recording of meeting (YouTube)

Presentation (PDF, 16MB) (Presentación en español, (PDF, 15MB)

Variations A and B (PDF, 8 MB)

Meeting chat (PDF)

April 22 to May 13, 2021Community SurveyOnlineView results here
July 15, 2021Community Meeting 2Virtual

Recording of meeting (YouTube)

Presentation/Presentación (en ingles y español) (PDF, 6MB)

Meeting chat (PDF)

Funding and Resources

This project’s construction budget was funded through the 2018 GO Bond.  Additionally, an Urban Forestry Grant through Austin Development Services was awarded for planting 30 new trees and installing a nature exploration area.

Contact

For more information, contact Lindsey Machamer, Project Management Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation, by phone at (512) 974-9541 or by email.

Park Concept Plan

    Brownie Neighborhood Park is an approximately 7.8-acre park located at 10000 Brownie Drive in the North Lamar Neighborhood. In 2014, approximately 5 acres of additional parkland were acquired to expand the existing 2-acre Brownie Park. The park currently contains a playscape on the original park site and undeveloped land in the recently acquired portion of the park.

    The concept planning process aimed to develop a park plan that responds to the needs of the area's diverse cultures and many age groups. The phased project occurred in three phases and the outcomes addressed were: (1) recreation and play space zones; (2) covered and open seating and eating areas; and (3) access to green space and beauty.

    • The Community Engagement Phase (October 1, 2017 – December 14, 2017): data collection from municipal sources, public engagement, and field observations. It also includes the prioritization of key challenges and opportunities.
    • The Analysis Phase (December 15, 2017 – January 15, 2018): data synthesis into a set of strategies that respond to key challenges and opportunities.
    • The Framework Plan (January 16, 2018 – March 3, 2018): sharing a design that incorporates community- and city-approved strategies for the improvement of Brownie Park. The plan can be used by stakeholders to garner resources for park improvements and to structure detailed planning.
    DateEventLocationMaterials
    November 18, 2021Park Planning WorkshopNorth Austin YMCAInvite (PDF)
    January 15, 2022Analysis WorkshopBrownie Neighborhood ParkView the framework plan (PDF)
    March 3, 2022Framework Plan PresentationBrownie Neighborhood ParkView the meeting packet with a summary of public input and survey results (PDF)