The Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park is a great option if you’re looking for a green space to unwind in Southeast Austin. This 10-acre park has been a wildflower meadow for years. It is now set to undergo a transformation, thanks to a design grant awarded by the Austin Parks Foundation.
The Parks and Recreation Department’s landscape architect, Rachel Morris, leads the project and collaborates with the community to create a concept plan for the park’s upcoming development.
The grassland is in the middle of the Grand Meadow community and boasts a significant historical background. It has been designated as a valuable community resource. Formerly farmland, it has been under the stewardship of the Friends of Grand Meadow, who have worked to maintain its natural beauty and promote its use as a gathering place for residents. Additional Hints
With ongoing funding and community engagement, the Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park is poised to become an even more vibrant and welcoming space for all.
Overview
This nearly 10-acre plot of land in Austin, TX, was once farmland and is currently a wildflower meadow, with plans to develop a concept plan for its future.
Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park was acquired by the City of Austin in 1988 and expanded in 2004. It is stewarded by the Friends of Grand Meadow. It has recently received a design grant from the Austin Parks Foundation to develop a concept plan.
Rachel Morris, a landscape architect from the Parks and Recreation Department, manages the project. The anticipated schedule includes a site inventory and analysis in January 2023, community engagement and park design development from March to July 2023, and finalizing the concept plan in August 2023.
The goal is to guide the future development of Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park and ensure that it remains a beautiful and accessible space for the community.
Location and Size
You’re standing in a nearly 10-acre wildflower meadow in Southeast Austin that was once farmland and acquired by the City of Austin over 30 years ago. The Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park Concept Plan Project is located in this area, currently designated as a wildflower meadow.
The Friends of Grand Meadow and the Parks and Recreation Department guide the park development. To give you an idea, this park is almost 10 acres.
The project will go through several phases, including site inventory and analysis, community engagement, park design development, and concept plan finalizing. The community engagement phase includes surveys and community meetings, vital in developing a plan that meets the community’s needs.
The top goal of this project is to develop a concept plan that will guide the future development of Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park.
History and Designation
Now let’s step back and learn about the history and how this beautiful wildflower meadow came to be. Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park was once farmland before it was developed by the City of Austin in 1988. It was expanded in 2004 and is currently designated as a wildflower meadow.
The park’s unique terrain and natural beauty make it an ideal site for nature lovers and park-goers. The Friends of Grand Meadow, a stewardship organization, has been caring for the park since its inception. The organization has been working tirelessly to maintain and preserve the park’s natural beauty.
With the support of the Austin Parks Foundation and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, the park will transform with a new concept plan to guide its future development.
Stewardship and Funding
As you explore the history of this former farmland turned wildflower meadow, it’s essential to recognize the invaluable role of the Friends of Grand Meadow and their partnership with the Austin Parks Foundation in preserving this natural beauty through stewardship and funding.
The Friends of Grand Meadow have been instrumental in maintaining the park’s ecosystem by organizing volunteer efforts for invasive species removal and leading educational programs on the importance of native plant species. Continue
Additionally, the Austin Parks Foundation has provided funding for the park’s expansion in 2004 and the current design grant for the park’s concept plan.
The stewardship and funding provided by the Friends of Grand Meadow and the Austin Parks Foundation are essential in maintaining the park’s ecological balance and ensuring its continued growth.
With the concept plan project underway, the Friends of Grand Meadow and the Austin Parks Foundation will persist in playing a vital part in the park’s development.
Their dedication to preserving the raw beauty of Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park reminds them of the importance of partnerships between communities, organizations, and local governments in creating and maintaining public spaces.
Anticipated Schedule
Get excited about the timeline of events! The Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park Concept Plan Project has a clear schedule that outlines the different phases of the project. Here’s what you can expect:
– Site inventory and analysis: Completed in January 2023, this phase involved an assessment of the park’s existing conditions and natural features.
– Community engagement and park design development: Scheduled from March to July 2023, this phase involves working with the community to develop a park design that meets their needs and preferences.
– Finalize concept plan: In August 2023, the project team will finalize the concept plan based on the community’s feedback and input.
– Submit final concept plan for official review and adoption: The final concept plan will be submitted for official review and adoption in September 2023.
The project team will work diligently to ensure that the task stays on track and that the community’s vision for the park is realized. Stay tuned for updates and possibilities to get involved!
Community Engagement
You can actively partake in shaping the future of this precious green space by joining the ongoing community engagement phase of the project. The second community meeting at Grand Meadow Park is scheduled for May 20, 2023.
This meeting will allow you to review and provide feedback on the park concept plan. The project team has also made a community survey available in Spanish for those who prefer to communicate in this language. The first survey closed on March 31, 2023, and the results will inform the upcoming community meeting.
The goal of the community engagement phase is to develop a concept plan that accurately reflects the needs and desires of the community. The project team is committed to hearing from diverse stakeholders, including those who may have yet to traditionally engage in park planning processes.
By participating in the community engagement phase, you can guarantee that your voice is heard and that the future of Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park reflects the values and importance of the community.
Conclusion
Congratulations on learning about the Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park in Southeast Austin, Texas! As you know, this nearly 10-acre park is set to transform thanks to a design grant awarded by the Austin Parks Foundation.
The park, which was formerly farmland, is currently a wildflower meadow and has been under the stewardship of the Friends of Grand Meadow. Rachel Morris, a landscape architect with the Parks and Recreation Department, manages the project.
With ongoing community engagement and park design development, the goal is to develop a concept plan to guide the park’s future development. With this exciting project underway, the Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park will become a beloved destination for residents and visitors alike.
Watch for updates on the park’s progress, and visit once it’s complete!
Important Information
- Address: 8022 Thaxton Rd, Austin, TX 78747, United States
- Phone: +15129746700
- Website:
- Opening Hours: