The City of Austin’s 1928 Master Plan established the Austin Parks Department, which unfortunately institutionalized segregation in the city’s green spaces. Givens Park opened in 1959 and was the second segregated public park in East Austin, a neighborhood where Black and brown Austinites were forced to relocate due to the City’s 1928 plan. Over time, Givens Park and Recreation became a central gathering place for Black Austinites and has been honored as a Lonestar Legacy park. However, the past 30 years have seen significant changes due to gentrification, altering the neighborhood and the park’s activities.
In response to a community-driven town hall in 2021, Austin Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention and the Austin Police Department partnered with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department to address community concerns about gun violence, homelessness, and safety for staff and program participants.
During this session, City of Austin staff members will discuss their collaborative approach. They will share how they addressed perceptions of violence at Givens Park, navigated complex community and staff dynamics, and leveraged relationships within the city and community. By centering equity and community, they aim to foster more transparency and direct conversations for transformative change.
