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69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

Accessible + inclusive play

City of Austin gets moving on first-ever all abilities playground
A drone footage photo of an expansive field at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, with trees in the background and curved sidewalks bordering one edge.
This site at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park will be home to the City of Austin’s first all abilities playground. | Photo via the City of Austin
The city’s first ever all abilities playground will soon become a reality, with work on the project scheduled to begin next year.

The effort is nearly a decade old, with the goal identified in the 2015 Onion Creek Metropolitan Park Master Plan. The city plans to get moving on the southeast Austin park starting next month — here’s what to know.

What is an all abilities playground?

True to its title, an all abilities playground is a space built for children and guardians of all ages, abilities, and needs.

This often involves accessible design, but a successful inclusive playground also includes varying levels of challenges for kiddos to develop physically, socially, and cognitively while maintaining safety.

For example, the Play For All Park in Round Rock includes:
  • A sensory pod-sandbox
  • A ramp-accessible playscape
  • A swing set with different types of swings, including a wheelchair swing and companion swing
A ramp bordered with brightly colored handrails leads into a playscape with slides and other interactive elements; a sign above reads "Dennis' Dream"

Round Rock’s Play For All Park is an example of an all abilities playground, complete with a wheelchair-accessible playscape.

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Photo by Teddy Hoffman/City of Round Rock

What will this playground be like?

Although the design phase hasn’t yet begun, this new playground is expected to include a play area, restrooms, picnic pavilions, and trail connections.

The site will be built with sustainability in mind, and be categorized into four themes: natural, passive, active, and cultural.

The playground will be the first of its kind in the City of Austin, although a similar playground opened last month in Del Valle. This spring, the city identified the Springwood Neighborhood Park as another potential future all abilities playground site.

How can I get involved?

Join the project’s virtual public feedback meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. or fill out an interest form to attend a group discussion.

Design plans for the park are expected to be released by June.
Kenagra Health
 
Events
Wednesday, Dec. 20
  • The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar | Now-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $12-$60 | Jingle all the way to one of Austin’s top destinations for high-quality art and artisan gifts during the holiday season.*
  • Santa Pop-up | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 6-8 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | Santa will take a break from all his toy-making to take photos with families at this event, complete with holiday beverages specials.
  • Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hernandez | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $38-$62 | See the internationally recognized musician and fifth-generation mariachi perform.
Thursday, Dec. 21
  • Mariah Careyoke | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7-10 p.m. | Captain Quackenbush’s Coffeehouse, 5326 Menchaca Rd., Austin | $5 | Sing out tunes by the queen of Christmas herself.
  • John Baumann | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 8 p.m. | Antone’s Nightclub, 305 E. 5th St., Austin | $22 | David Beck will also take the stage at this songwriter’s performance.
Friday, Dec. 22
Plan Ahead
  • Christmas Morning Flow at My Vinyasa Practice | Monday, Dec. 25 | 9-10 a.m. | My Vinyasa Practice, 109 Jacob Fontaine Lane, Ste. 800, Austin | Free | Start your morning with positive energy at this yoga flow centered on joy and gratitude.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Award
  • The Austin Chamber of Commerce named former ACC Chancellor Richard Rhodes the Austinite of the Year. Rhodes will be formally recognized for his help leading ACC’s 11 campuses and for overseeing the recent redevelopment of Highland Mall into ACC Highland in February.
Biz
  • New York-based Abbott’s Frozen Custard plans to drastically increase its store count by opening ~100 locations in Texas, including several in the Austin area. Central Texas locations are currently in the works in Kyle, Leander, and Manor. (Austin Business Journal)
Announced
  • Not enough froyo for ya? Another New York-based frozen yogurt spot, 16 Handles, plans to open seven-to-10 locations in Austin in the next three years. (Austin Business Journal)
Now Open
  • Elon Musk’s newest endeavor is now open in Bastrop County. The Boring Bodega, located in Hyperloop Plaza near the Boring Co. and SpaceX offices, serves snacks and beverages, and contains a playground, pickleball court, and video games. (Austin American-Statesman)
Weather
  • Rain is headed to Central Texas this week, with the majority of rainfall expected to arrive tomorrow and Friday, but that’s not all. Pack an umbrella this weekend, as showers are predicted to return late Saturday and early Sunday. (KXAN)
Tech
  • A new Austin dating app called Volar uses artificial intelligence to build the user a digital avatar, which then interacts with the AI avatars of potential matches. Users can monitor the digital conversations to decide whether to connect with their matches themselves. (CultureMap Austin)
Holiday
  • Step aside, snickerdoodles. Italian Christmas Cookies were the most-searched holiday cookie in Texas this year, joining 14 other states including California, Tennessee, and Georgia. (Austin American-Statesman)
 
Holiday

🎄 Happy holidays from ATXtoday

Happy holidays from your Austin-based team at 6AM City
A gif cycling through photos of the team standing in front of a Christmas tree and a rosemary olive oil cake.
City Editor London, VP of Expansion Michael Mazzarra, City Editor Figi, and Branded Copywriter Dalton wish you a Happy Holidays. | Gif via ATXtoday
We’ve been feeling the holiday spirit at ATXtoday.

Did you know that we’re part of a parent company that also produces newsletters in 25 other cities? Although our national team is quite big, our Austin-based crew is relatively small. Together, it’s your trusty City Editors London and Figi, our VP of Expansion Michael Mazzarra, and Branded Copywriter Dalton Phillips.

We recently gathered together to welcome Michael — a new Austin resident — and to try out some holiday-themed cakes made by Rachel, his wife. Rachel recently relaunched Dreamcakes in Austin, so we tried her funfetti-style, brown sugar oatmeal, and olive oil cakes. (City Editor London here — olive oil was my favorite.)

It’s been quite a year of bringing you all the hyperlocal content about goings-ons in Austin. If we’re counting correctly, today marks our 255th newsletter of the year.

We’d love to hear from you — are there any stories that stood out to you in 2023?
The Buy

The Buy 12.20.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
An Apple Watch Series 9 — because the smartwatch is about to get much harder to find. Starting tomorrow, Apple will pull this smartwatch version from its website due to a patent dispute, with in-store purchases ending Sunday, Dec. 24. Other retailers may continue to sell the model until a final decision is made on an import ban. (Forbes)
31 Days of Local Shopping

Handmade with love

ATXtoday’s 31 days of local shopping
Colored snowflake ornaments rest on a gray faux fur blanket.
Shop for elegant holiday-themed goods at Awkward Auntie. | Photo provided by Awkward Auntie
The homebodies on your list will love a unique, handmade item from this artistic auntie.

Awkward Auntie, online | The creator behind these home goods crafts the items from cement and then dyes them by hand. Expect beautiful, simple pieces like lotus candle holders, sculptural planters, and geometric soap dishes.
19 more shops
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The Wrap
 
London Gibson

Today’s edition by:
London
From the editor
I was out on a neighborhood walk the other day when what to my wondering eyes did appear but an enormous inflatable reindeer.

It immediately brought a smile to my face. Do you have any impressive holiday decorations to share?
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