AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is asking for the public’s input as it plans the city’s very first All Abilities Playground.
PARD and the Austin Parks Foundation (APF) will host a virtual community meeting next month to get ideas about the upcoming design and development of the playground at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park in southeast Austin.
The meeting will be held on Jan. 18, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be accessible with ASL interpretation, Spanish interpretation and live captioning, the city said.
The future playground will offer accessibility and inclusivity for all visitors, especially for children with disabilities and special needs. It will feature an inclusive play area, an inclusive and accessible restroom facility and picnic pavilions for shade, according to the city. It will also include pedestrian trail connections to the park and community.
“We need your creativity and ideas to make this playground awesome!” the city said. “Your input will be the inspiration behind the design and the elements that will keep your child and their friends engaged, excited, and buzzing with sensory-rich experiences.”
The All Abilities Playground was identified as a priority in the 2015 Onion Creek Metropolitan Park Vision Plan.
The virtual community meeting will be followed by small group conversations on Jan. 29, 2024, and Feb. 2, 2024. The concept phase of development will then run from March to April 2024, with the schematic design phase following from May to June 2024.
PARD and APF anticipate the approval of the final schematic design for the playground in summer 2024.
You can register for the virtual meeting via Zoom.