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| Spurs Give, Austin Parks Foundation (APF) and Austin Parks and Recreation are hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a basketball court renovation at James A. Garrison District Park, 6001 Menchaca Rd., on Sunday, September 17 at 10 a.m. This marks the second project completed as part of “Play ATX.” To celebrate the renovated play space, Spurs player and former Texas Longhorn Sir’Jabari Rice and Austin Spurs head coach Will Voigt will help lead a basketball clinic with 50 youth athletes from nearby schools. In April 2023, Spurs Give and APF donated nearly $500,000 to launch “Play ATX,” a multi-year program dedicated to renovating five parks and basketball courts across Austin. The program is an expansion of “Play SA,” which launched in San Antonio in 2020 to help parks in need of renovations. Through collaboration with the City of Austin and Austin Parks and Recreation Department, improvements made at Garrison District Park include resurfacing the court, new lighting and additional park benches. “Play ATX honors and celebrates Spurs fans in Austin by creating safe accessible spaces to play and heal,” said Dr. Kara Allen, Chief Impact Officer for Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “Thanks to help from our partners, this play space is one way of bringing collective impact to Austin where young people can grow as leaders and build their legacies on and off the court. We are committed to expanding our resources to provide further park renovations in the community.” “Austin Parks Foundation, alongside Austin Parks and Recreation, is grateful to continue this partnership with Spurs Give in amplifying the importance of community in our city's parks,” said Colin Wallis, CEO of Austin Parks Foundation. “We've already seen the positive impact that these court improvements have made in Dove Springs District Park and we are excited to see that impact extend to Garrison District Park." As part of the court unveiling celebration, the Central Texas Food Bank will recognize Hunger Action Month by launching their new Mobile FARMacy unit as part of their “Food is Medicine” programming. The mobile unit will provide fresh produce, protein and dairy items for up to 50 participating families. The Food Bank’s nutrition team will offer recipes and health tips and a benefits counselor will be on site to help families apply for federal assistance. “We are excited to unveil the newly upgraded James A. Garrison District Park basketball court thanks to the Spurs Give and Austin Parks Foundation partnership,” said Kimberly McNeeley, Director of Austin Parks and Recreation. “This project reflects our commitment to enhancing community spaces, promoting active lifestyles and creating lasting memories for Austinites." About Austin Parks Foundation Founded in 1992, Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is dedicated to partnering with our community to enhance people’s lives by making our public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support. About Central Texas Food Bank The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of more than 250 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 55,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org About Austin Parks and Recreation Austin Parks and Recreation seeks to inspire our community to learn, play, protect and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places. This City of Austin Department protects and maintains parkland, urban forest, and trails as well as offering sports, recreation, educational enrichment, arts programs, cultural opportunities, and nature and aquatic activities for Austinites. For more information visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks. |
