All about Grackle Green

The Grackle Green Micropark is a rare opportunity that creates a new green space in Austin’s core. The project will transform the empty lot at the corner of Dean Keeton and Drury Lane. The park is a joint community project between the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association (CNA) and the City of Austin, and is supported by the non-profit Urban Patchwork.

Goals

Input and direction from neighbors at public meetings, surveys, and emails aligned with several City initiatives. The park’s goals include:

— Promoting community

— Providing an outside play area to children

— Planting native & adapted vegetation

— Creating pollinator habitat

Plans

The park will be a fenced area with over 10 new native trees, a playscape, several benches, a picnic table, and an herb garden. Two park gates are being designed by a local Cherrywood illustrator, Caitlin B. Alexander, thanks to a grant awarded through the City’s Urban Forestry program.

Timeline & Costs

Park construction is expected to begin in April 2019. The City’s Neighborhood Partnering Program (NPP) is funding a significant portion of the park’s construction. As part of the NPP grant, CNA neighbors have committed a grant-match through construction volunteering, maintenance volunteering, funding future park needs, and soliciting in-kind donations.