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Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park
Nestled along the banks of Shoal Creek in downtown Austin, this 13-acre project has revitalized the recreational heart and cultural soul of Pease Park. As the first City of Austin park to achieve SITES Gold certification and the recipient of the 2024 ‘Project of the Year’ from the Austin Green Awards, the renovation sets a new standard for urban park stewardship and community engagement. The design celebrates both history and innovation. Historic features—including stone walls, CCC-era picnic tables, and the iconic Tudor Cottage—are carefully preserved and enhanced, honoring the park’s rich legacy while preparing it for a sustainable future in a rapidly growing city. A diverse array of new amenities welcomes families, school groups, and outdoor enthusiasts. Highlights include a dynamic play area with a full-size basketball court, wooden playscapes, loose-parts nature play, and an interactive water feature inspired by local limestone aquifers. A fully accessible treehouse observation pod is nestled in the mature canopy, offering visitors a unique vantage point to relax and enjoy the views. New restrooms are integrated into the slope, framing an informal amphitheater. A hillside seep, once flowing to the city storm sewer, now feeds a spiral basin that feeds into a restored stream bed, newly revegetated with native shrubs and grasses reflective of the local ecosystem. Pease Park’s transformation not only preserves its historic character but also enhances its ecological function, ensuring it remains a cherished destination for generations to come. |
Location: Austin, Texas Size: 13 Acres Client: Pease Park Conservancy Scope: Sustainable design, ecological research and SITES consultant Completion: 2021 Project team: Ten Eyck Landscape Architects;Architectural Engineers Collaborative; Clayton Korte; ETM Associates; Fluidity Design Consultants; Garza EMC; Jerry Garza & Associates; Greenscape Pump; Mell Lawrence Architects; Natural Learning Initiative; Page/Dyal; Siglo Group; Studio Lumina; Sweeney + Associates Awards: 2025 'Best Playground' Austin Chronicle; 2024 'Project of the Year' Austin Green Awards; 2022 American Architecture Award; 2022 Texas ASLA Honor Award; 2021 SITES Gold Award |