Dick Nichols District Park is a 152 acre park located in the Southwest Austin that serves many of the recreational needs of the area residents and organizations. The park offers a 1.2 miles long trail, play structures, a soccer field, a baseball field, a basketball court, tennis courts, a water play area, and a swimming pool, barbeque pits, and covered picnic areas,
In August 2007, the Friends of Dick Nichols Park (FDNP), a community based organization, was formed with the purpose of assisting the Austin Department of Parks and Recreation with the stewardship of this heavily utilized district park and of implementing park improvement projects designed to meet the needs of the community it serves.
The projects FDNP implements are developed and implemented entirely by unpaid members of the organization often in partnership with other community groups. The group works closely with the park manager, the Austin Parks Foundation, and other community stakeholders to identify improvements important to the Park.
FDNP will soon have the capacity to raise money through an anticipated fiduciary services agreement with its partner, the Austin Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3.
Currently, FDNP’s first year goals include:
· compiling volunteer directory of 150 volunteers
· organizing two park clean up days, October 13th 2007 and April 2008
· creating six partnerships with community based organizations
· creating five private sector partnerships
· establishing linkages with 15 community based organizations
· hosting two environment related workshops administered by community partners
· power washing sidewalks and play structures
· raising funds (fund amount to be determined by November 2007)
· reconditioning of child play scape (Fall 2007)
· reconditioning of seal water feature (Fall 2007)
· replacing play scape equipment consisting of five bubble panels (Fall 2007), four full-bucket swing set seats, four belt swing set seats
· removing graffiti
· repainting sidewalk art, signs and curbs (Fall 2007)
· replacing picnic area furnishings consisting of one trash can, five trash can lids, three barbeque grills
· planting of 25 trees (September 2008)
· spreading mulch in needed areas (Fall 2007)
· spreading aggregate in needed areas
· repairing or replacing bonded rubber surfaces on playground and volleyball court
As referenced above FDNP’s first park clean up is scheduled for October 13th and will be focus on power washing the sidewalks and play structure; repainting sidewalk art, signs, and curbs; reconditioning the play scapes and water fountain; spreading mulch; removing graffiti; and administering a volunteer survey to identify additional park improvement projects for 2008.
Leave a Comment so far
Leave a comment
