What will we be doing in November?

Check out our new November flyer

13 October 2007 work day

The second group gathered dirt sending it through a "filter" to remove large rocks. We used the dirt to fill in between the flat rock foundation, effectively raising the trail several inches.

13 October 2007 work day

We worked in two groups with the common goal of raising the trail in several low-lying areas. This group collected flat rocks from the property and arranged them as the "foundation".

Oak Hill Gazette--Dedication Day

We had countless volunteers and neighbors attend our park dedication. Thank you to Oak Hill Gazette journalist Mike Jordan for his continual support by keeping our project "in the news."

How can you help? See our October update flyer

You'll find our plans for the park improvements in this flyer. We need financial help! Please write a check to "Austin Parks Foundation" with "Convict Hill Quarry Park"on the memo line. Mail the check to: Austin Parks Foundation; 701 Brazos, Suite 170; Austin, TX 78701

We received our second Austin Parks Foundation Grant!

Convict Hill Quarry Park was one of only seven parks to receive a grant from the Austin Parks Foundation!!!!!!!!!! We plan to use the money to erect a chimney swift tower, build a waterfall to control seepage, and extend a rock wall along the front of the park. Here is the public announcement of our award: http://www.austinparks.org/npg.html

Many, many thanks to Gary Anderson and Dr. Jim Turney for their hard work in writing our grant request.

Work dates for the rest of 2007-January 2008

**Work hours are 9:00am - 12:00pm on all work days**
September 15-We removed huge stands of Johnson grass and weeds at the front of the park, relined trails with rocks, removed unwanted growth throughout the trail system, and raked mulch.
October 13-We worked on low-lying areas of the trail prone to flooding by raking back mulch, laying a base of flat rock, filling with dirt and re-covering with mulch. We raised each area several inches to make the trails walkable and help with drainage issues after rain.
November 10-We worked on more low-lying areas of trail prone to flooding
December 8-We had a *huge* turnout--21 volunteers!!! We worked on a long section of low-lying trail, pulled invasives and collected large flat rocks for our waterfall. It was a most productive work day!
January 12

15 September 2007 work day--our first fall 2007 work day

We started with two *huge* stands of Johnson grass and countless weeds in front of the park as well as unwanted growth all over the trails.

15 September 2007 work day--our first fall 2007 work day

We had lots of tools thanks to Gary Anderson, Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Keep Austin Beautiful.

15 September 2007 work day--our first fall 2007 work day

Refreshments were provided by Giss's cafe. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

15 September 2007 work day--our first fall 2007 work day

Wonderful volunteers cleared trails, removed weeds, replaced rocks lining trails and raked mulch. Thank you very much for all of your help!

15 September 2007 work day--our first fall 2007 work day

Johnson grass and weeds disappeared!

15 September 2007 work day--our first fall 2007 work day

The completion of the facelift! We filled many bags and created piles of nuisance Johnson grass and weeds.

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

The Honorable Valinda Bolton, Dr. Jim Turney, The Honorable Lloyd Doggett

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

The ribbon cutting

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

American Youthworks group shots after the ceremony. We could not have done this without you guys! Thank you very much.

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Warren Struss, Director, Austin Parks and Recreation Department, addresses the crowd.

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Parc Smith (American Youthworks) addresses the crowd.

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

The Honorable Lloyd Doggett addresses the crowd.

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

The Honorable Valinda Bolton addresses the crowd.

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Joan Singh, Park Grounds Supervisor, South Austin, Austin Parks and Recreation Department, addresses the crowd.

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

What a crowd we had!

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Warren Struss, Director, Austin Parks and Recreation Department, signs certificates while Joan Singh, Park Grounds Supervisor, South Austin, Austin Parks and Recreation Department, assists :).

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Pictures from before the ceremony

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Pictures from before the ceremony

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Parc Smith (American Youth Works), Lynda DeGroot (Central Texas Trail Tamers), Charlie McCabe (Austin Parks Foundation)

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Gary Anderson, Heidi Armstrong Smith, The Honorable Lloyd Doggett, Dr. Jim Turney

Convict Hill Quarry Park Dedication 21 April 2007

Together with Joan Singh (Austin Parks and Recreation Department), The Honorable Valinda Bolton and The Honorable Lloyd Doggett, we officially dedicated our park on 21 April, 2007. About 75 volunteers and community members attended, including many of the American Youthworks crew who contributed immensely to our project.

American Youthworks carving the bench at the front of the park

Our bench is a real work of art!