AUSTIN, Texas — A new shade structure at Ramsey Neighborhood Park is giving families a break from Austin’s summer heat — and highlighting how much neighborhood parks can depend on money from outside the City of Austin.
The improvements at Ramsey Neighborhood Park include a permanent shade structure over the swings, new play equipment, and upgraded rubber safety surfacing.
For Rosedale resident Morgan Merritt, who has brought her 3-year-old daughter to the park since she was a baby, the shade is a major upgrade.
“I roasted for about two years pushing her because swinging is one of her favorite things, and it is hot and blazing without the sunshade,” Merritt said.
The project was not paid for by the City of Austin alone.
“If you just had to depend on the city for this funding, would it have happened,” asked CBS Austin Reporter Bettie Cross.
“No, this was a community effort from Austin Parks Foundation, Austin Parks and Rec, our former council member, our current council member and the Rosedale Neighborhood Association,” said Merritt.
ALSO| One dead in south Austin house collapse after high winds on Thursday; OSHA investigating
The cost of giving kids a cooler and safer place to play was shared by public and private groups.
“The Parks Foundation provided all the project management and oversight and about $100,000. The neighborhood group raised a bunch of money, a city council office kicked in some money, and the Parks Department as well,” said Austin Parks Foundation CEO Colin Wallis.
Wallis said neighbors also made donations.
City leaders estimate Austin’s park system has about $700 million in overdue repairs and upkeep. It’s why outside resources are critical to maintaining and improving neighborhood parks.
“Because of state caps on the budget and what we can spend, because of just the inventory of all the parks that we’ve got and green spaces. It’s not possible for just the parks department in the city to take care of everything and do all the work,” said Council Member Marc Duchen, who represents District 10. “That’s why community groups, neighborhood groups and the Austin Parks Foundation are so important.”
Austin voters will decide in November whether to approve a $260 million bond for parks, recreation, aquatic and open-space improvements. It would be the first park-specific bond put before voters in eight years.
For families at Ramsey Park, the new playground shows what can happen when public and private partners pool their resources — and what may be needed to keep Austin’s parks safe, usable and current.