Highland Neighborhood Park and Reznicek Fields recently celebrated the unveiling of a new pedestrian bridge and an art installation. The event was a collaboration between the Austin Parks Foundation, Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
The pedestrian bridge, funded by the Austin Parks Foundation, connects the park to nearby trails. The Highland Neighborhood Association secured $150,000 through an ACL Music Festival Community Impact Grant for this project. In total, the connectivity project cost $295,000. These grants support large-scale park improvements initiated by communities.
A new sculpture titled “The Gathering Place” by artist Samara Barks was also dedicated at the event. This interactive piece features murals, a shadow box, and ADA-accessible seating to celebrate the park’s 50-year history. It honors Edward Reznicek, who helped establish the park in the 1970s. The artwork includes “welcome” in three languages and has anti-graffiti coating.
Austin Parks and Recreation completed renovations of Highland Neighborhood Park in 2024. Improvements included ball fields with lighting, irrigation systems, walking trails, benches, a drinking fountain, parking lot upgrades, utilities for future facilities, and additional trees. The design considers Waller Creek watershed sensitivity and green infrastructure opportunities.
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