Summer is about to get a refreshing kick-off in Austin with the long-awaited reopening of Givens District Park Pool. Slated to open its gates on June 7, the pool has been upgraded with features that cater to every age and swimming level. These new facilities include a lap lane pool for the dedicated swimmers, a zero-entry activity pool that’s perfect for toddlers, and an invigorating spray ground ensuring wet fun for all. As reported by the City of Austin, visitors can also expect dive-ready diving boards, renovated bathhouses, and comfortable picnic pads amid shade structures.
Located east of Downtown Austin, the Givens District Park, which has played a pivotal role within the historically African American community since the early twentieth century, boasts 40 acres of green space. The park came under the city’s wing in 1957, with the original pool following a year later. In honor of notable local figure Dr. Everett H. Givens, a dentist and World War I veteran, the park was amicably named in 1962. Ever since, it has been a cherished open space offering playgrounds, sports courts, and serene trails through its lush, vegetated expanses.
Not to be overshadowed by the park, significant enhancements are also in store for the Givens Recreation Center, which paused operations on February 17, 2025, for a serious facelift. After opening in 1979, the center has been a beacon for community and recreational activities for youth and adults alike. With its slated upgrades, it prepares to shine anew with an updated HVAC system for better air quality and energy efficiency; a brand-new, durable flat membrane roof; and a reinstallation of the gymnasium roof and solar panels, as outlined on the City of Austin’s project page…