Crocheron House

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a Preservation Merit Award for the Preservation of a Cultural Landscape for work conducted on 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 Parks and Recreation department devoted extensive resources toward the renewal of Wooldridge Square, along with major contributions from the Friends of Wooldridge Square, the Austin Parks Foundation and the Downtown Austin Alliance. The support of our partners was critical to the success of this project,” said Sara Hensley, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

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 in the northwest corner of the park, and the rehabilitation of the 1910 historic bandstand which helps brings new life to the park.

Wooldridge Square dates to the Waller Plan of 1839 when the City of Austin was surveyed and platted as the capital of the Republic of Texas (1836–1845). In 1909, Austin Mayor A.P. Wooldridge led a beautification effort to formally dedicate Wooldridge Square as a park. The park has a rich history of being a site for lively political speeches and debates. Wooldridge Square Park is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a State Antiquities Landmark and is a designated City of Austin Historic Landmark.