2013 | Crushed Granite Trail
The park grounds have long shown worn footpaths as people find routes that offer easier and time-saving travel. The cut through path along the north end of the park behind the Justin Lane houses had one such footpath, and a 2009 attempt to mulch this path and widen it into a trail was not appreciated by neighbors. It seems the single-grind mulch was too chunky and made for unstable footsteps and bumpy stroller rides. During the 2011 master plan project, it was revealed that trail improvements were highly desired as the idea was ranked by neighbors as being very important (27%) or somewhat important (42%).
Several of the FOPB team members walked the park and evaluated the locations of existing trees and facilities. It was evident the park had the space for a trail, and a preliminary trail path was spray painted around the north, west, and south edges of the park. Emily Wilson began the Austin Parks Foundation project and grant application paperwork, and both were approved in December.
The total cost of the crushed granite trail project was $28,500. FOBP received $6000 in funds from Brentwood Neighborhood Association, Crestview Neighborhood Association, Violet Crown Community Works, Paragon Prep, and individual neighbors. FOBP also held a Grow Love seed bomb fundraiser. A generous grant from Austin Parks Foundation covered the remaining funds needed for the new trail project to move forward.
As part of the neighborhood fundraising, Brentwood neighbors Joel and Joanna Fried (El Dorado Cafe) held their annual end-of-school-year BBQ in the park on June 5th, and neighbors brought a dish to pass to complete the picnic. Guitars, drums and other musical instruments often made their appearance after dinner and rounded out those fun-filled gatherings in the park. For their past few BBQ events, Joel and Joana asked neighbors to make donations for park improvements, and they were able to raise and donate $1153 for the crushed granite trail that day.
With project approval and funding met, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department applied for building permits which were eventually issued in mid-April 2013. The trail project was started soon after the May Violet Crown Festival so construction would not interfere with festivities. American Youthworks was hired to build the trail and it was estimated to take three to four weeks to complete though unforeseen delays caused the construction timeline to stretch into summer. The new crushed granite trail was finished in mid-July 2013 and was immediately used and loved by many neighbors.
The three sides of the granite trail, along with the sidewalk along Arroyo Seco create almost a 1/2 mile loop for enjoyment. Lace up those shoes!
