PARD wins award for park revitalization

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a Preservation Merit Award for the Preservation of a Cultural Landscape for the revitalization of historic Wooldridge Square Park. This is the second year in a row that the department has been recognized by Preservation Austin for its stewardship of historic sites. The work at Wooldridge Square, which was rededicated in September 2013, consisted of nearly a dozen new tree plantings, a new irrigation system, drought-tolerant turf grass, new light fixtures and benches, the installation of a mobile food vendor pad and the rehabilitation of the 1910 historic bandstand. The award will be presented at the 54th Annual Preservation Awards Luncheon on Nov. 21 at the Driskill Hotel.