Groundbreaking planned for Kingsbury Commons

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Pease Park Conservancy are hosting a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of Kingsbury Commons, a revitalization project for the lower 10 acres of Pease Park. Future visitors to the park will be able to enjoy a kids’ nature area, a water play feature, an inventive treescape, upgraded sport courts and play equipment, and a repurposed Tudor Cottage to be used as a community gathering space. According to the PARD press release, “Kingsbury Commons was designed to enhance visitors’ experiences, sustain the park’s ecology, and increase usership and capacity. … All modifications will protect the forest canopy and historic features of the cottage and allow the park to retain its familiar storybook atmosphere.” Texas state Sen. Kirk Watson, Austin Mayor Steve Adler, PARD Director Kimberly McNeeley, Pease Park Conservancy CEO Heath Riddles, and Ten Eyck Landscape Architecture President Christy Ten Eyck will make brief remarks. The event will be held at the basketball court behind the swing set facing Kingsbury Street. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 9-11 a.m., Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St.