Austin Parks and Recreation

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

Metz Playscape Replacement

A photo of the new playscape at Metz Neighborhood Park which includes a swing set, a spiral tube slide. climbing features and shade.

City Council District 3

Project Summary

Austin Parks and Recreation replaced the existing playscape at Metz Neighborhood Park to provide enhanced opportunities for play. The new playscape is situated in the same location as the original one. The replacement includes increased shade and play elements. This project is complete and open to the public!

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
    • A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on August 1, 2025

Communications and Engagement 

Austin Parks and Recreation 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.
 

Events and Outreach

    Round 1: Existing Play Features

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

    DateEventLocationMaterials
    May 23, 2024Playground Pop-Up 1Metz Playground and Mendez Recreation Center 
    May 23 to June 17, 2024Community Survey 1Online

    Community Survey #1

    Encuesta Comunitaria 1

    Online Survey 1 Results

    May 26, 2024Latinapalooza Pop-UpRosewood Neighborhood Park 
    June 1, 2024Playground Pop-Up 2Metz Playground and Mendez Recreation Center 
    June 4, 2024Playground Pop-Up 3Metz Playground and Mendez Recreation Center 


     

    Round 2: Future Play Amenities

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

    Date

    Event

    Location

    Materials

    July 1, 2024Playground Pop-Up 1Metz Playground and Mendez Recreation Center 
    July 1 to July 21, 2024Community Survey 2Online

    Metz Playscape Survey #2

    Encuesta Comunitaria 2

    Online Survey 2 Results

    July 5, 2024Playground Pop-Up 2Metz Playground and Mendez Recreation Center 
    July 11, 2024Playground Pop-Up 3Metz Playground and Mendez Recreation Center 


     

     

    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 APR Project Manager, Reynaldo Hernandez by email or phone at (512) 974-9464.