Wide Open Spaces: East Austin’s Patterson Park
Park it!
Words by Christopher Ferguson, AIA
Read by Abby L. Johnson
Over 80 years since its founding, Patterson Park continues to endear itself to generations of East Austinites.
Two flamingos stand nearly ten feet tall, their heart-shaped necks craned as they face each other, beaks touching. In the morning light, they almost appear like a mirage on the horizon, their bright red and pink ceramic plumage set off by an intricate mosaic of mirrored glass tiles that scatter sunlight in all directions.
The ten-year-old installation is “Flamingo Mitote” by Stefanie Distefano, and it’s one of the finest examples of public art in Austin. It also happens to wrap four sides of an unassuming swimming pool equipment shed.
It’s no accident that Patterson Park is the home of Austin’s most decorated shed. Supported by a tight-knit community of neighbors and the Austin Parks Foundation, the lush twenty acres of shared green space have been thoughtfully maintained and expanded since the park’s dedication in 1941 as part of a land acquisition for the Mueller airport.
Besides art, the park offers a mature community garden, a six-lane pool, tree-enclosed playgrounds, a baseball diamond and recreational fields, a sprawling tennis center, basketball and volleyball courts, and, naturally, a skate park (complete with a multi-height half-pipe). Bookended by quiet rows of Cherrywood homes and sitting opposite Mueller Lake Park, the land rests on a gentle slope, protecting much of the park from adjacent traffic noise – a sunny, sensory respite.
Organized community events are ongoing and regularly feature holiday celebrations, volunteer opportunities, and fundraisers put on by Friends of Patterson Park (FoPP), a volunteer-driven group of park-loving neighbors and families who support local initiatives and park amenities.
As the city continues to change rapidly, the character of its neighborhoods will continue to change, too. In this light, Patterson Park doesn’t just offer sublime places to play, swim, and roam. It is also a reminder that beautiful, accessible green spaces should endure, supported by the shared ethos of those who cherish them.
Did You Know?
Friends of Patterson Park was established in 2002 and is always looking for volunteers. A community calendar and more information can be found at friendsofpattersonpark.org. #FoPP
Serve’s Up:
The Pharr Tennis Center sports eight tennis courts, professional coaching, tournaments, and league play!
Green Thumb?
Patterson Park Community Garden is currently accepting new gardeners, with several of their 69 plots currently available.
Contact:
4200 Brookview Rd.
austinparks.org
