Frequently Asked Questions about Grackle Green
How was Grackle Green designed?
The park’s design process relied on responses from several neighborhood surveys, meetings within the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association (sub-committee, steering committee, and general meetings), feedback from adjacent residents, and vetting and site plan review by City arborists, Neighborhood Partnering Program managers, and Parks and Recreation safety specialists.
What’s the best way to get to the park?
Walking, biking, unicycling, and riding in a wagon are good options! Parking is permit-restricted on E 28th Street on weekdays. Please be respectful of our neighbors to avoid parking problems.
What are the park regulations?
— The park is open 8am to dusk.
— Only service dogs are allowed in the fenced area.
— Please take your trash with you. The nearest trash receptacle is located by the bus stop on Dean Keeton St. Please remember that our neighbors— not the City —clean and maintain the park.
What is the history of the lot?
In the 1930s the parcel was originally slated for housing, but was never developed (see the original plat map below). The construction of Dean Keeton St. turned Drury Ln into a dead end and reduced the parcel size. In 2009, the area was fenced and used as a storage area for TXDOT construction equipment. Since then, it’s been periodically mowed and cleared by the City. On December 5, 2017, the City’s Neighborhood Partnering Program Review Board granted Cherrywood Neighborhood Association’s community micropark proposal. Park construction will begin in Spring 2019. The City installed a new ADA-compliant sidewalk along Drury Ln in November 2018 to improve access to the park.
How can I make a gift today?
You can donate to support the park via our donation page. Please contact the CNA sub-committee if you’re interested in an in-kind donations.
Do you accept donations via check?
Yes. You can mail your check to Urban Patchwork, ATTN Grackle Green Micropark, PO Box 300525, Austin TX 78703. Please write “Grackle Green Micropark” in the memo line.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. Donations are processed through Urban Patchwork, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. As such, your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.
How can I get involved?
There are plenty ways for you to get involved! You could be part of the volunteer mowing brigade, give the park some TLC during a community work day, host an educational event, serve on the subcommittee, or volunteer your time and talent to help us raise maintenance funds. Contact us if you’d like to learn more.
Why “Grackle Green”?
First, CNA-volunteers wanted “Green” for the park’s last name to match our neighborhood-sister park “Cherrywood Green”. Then, started brainstorming for alliteration companions for the first name. During the many recon visits to the lot, grackles were usually the only birds around. Hopefully all the new trees that the park brings in will help bird diversity. But, grackles and their roaming here in the early days will be remembered.
Know any grackle facts?
…While its range has been expanding since 1880 or so, it is native to North America, unlike true invasive Old World species such as house sparrows (which grackles occasionally kill and eat), starlings, and NYC’s beloved pigeons, which in actuality are—and I type this objectively—truly nasty, loathsome, stupid, and useless birds….
Legend
In Mexico, where they are known as zanates, it was said during pre-Columbian times that back in more ancient days, zanates were mute. Zanates being zanates, they soon fixed that problem. According to one grackle scholar’s account: “In the creation, the Zanate having no voice, stole its seven distinct songs from the wise and knowing sea turtle. You can now hear the Zanate’s vocals as the Seven Passions (Love, Hate, Fear, Courage, Joy, Sadness, and Anger) of life…
Texas Monthly