Pocket Parks

Loosely defined as a plot of land less than one acre in size, pocket parks originated in the post-World War II era in Europe and quickly spread to the US in the 1950s. Offering a solution to the ever-present problem of a lack of green spaces in densely developed urban areas, they mitigated the dichotomy between the human need to be in nature and the exorbitant price of land in metropolitan areas.

As is the case with Sparky Park, the plot used for these miniature tracts is often an eyesore, neglected and no longer suitable for its previous use but too small to be of interest to large-scale developers. Saving these irregular parcels of land from dereliction and decay, the involvement of the local community in the maintenance of these pocket parks has further enhanced their popularity and they are now considered an essential part of many urban neighbourhoods.

The Substation

The whimsical presentation of Sparky Park today is a complete transformation from its previous utilitarian appearance. Designed as an electrical substation in the 1930s, its main feature was a brick building used to house the required machinery.

With the growth of the neighbourhood and the electrical grid, the machines were eventually moved outdoors and the substation itself was decommissioned in 2006. Although the original plan was to demolish the Art Deco structure, community efforts preserved it and it still stands today, repurposed as an exhibition and event space.

The Grotto Wall

While the external electrical plant and cell tower were necessary, their functional appearance was not very aesthetic and in 2008, the City of Austin commissioned local artist Berthold Haas to create a wall around the new substation.

The resulting mosaic masterpiece is reminiscent of Park Güell in Spain, while still retaining local authenticity by featuring everyday objects from the lives of its creators as well as various discarded electrical components such as ceramic disc insulators. Neighbours were invited to get involved, meaning the karst-stone wall features an eclectic mix of decorative elements: mirror balls, shells, marbles, petrified wood and stones of all shapes and sizes feature prominently.

photography by: Sinéad Browne

photography by: Sinéad Browne

photography by: Sinéad Browne

photography by: Sinéad Browne

Sparky Park

The park, including the completed grotto wall, was officially dedicated in 2009 and given the name Sparky Park, a nod to its former purpose and the ensuing sparks that could be seen flying from the old substation late at night. Visitors are welcome to bring their own tributes to leave in the cracks of the wall so the treasures on show vary daily, including handwritten notes, plastic figurines and childhood memorabilia now ensconced in a new artistic home.

Other Features of the Park

Although the old substation building and the grotto wall dominate the small space, there is still plenty of greenery surrounding the park, with Cedar Elms, Crape Myrtles, Yaupon Holly and Mexican Plum trees all providing some welcome shade from the Austin sun. A trellis tunnel featuring wisteria and trumpet vines adds a romantic flair and some well-placed benches allow passers-by to enjoy a meditative moment or a snack in this urban oasis.

With a little advance planning, visitors can combine a visit to the park with a packed lunch from another of Austin’s hidden gems: Avenue B Grocery & Market, a 20-minute walk away. Serving some of the best made-to-order sandwiches in the city, it dates back to 1909 and is the oldest continuously-operated grocery store in Austin. Opening hours and inventory are very much at the discretion of the owner but the deli is usually open for lunch Monday to Saturday.

Getting There

The park is located at 3701 Grooms Street and is easily walkable from central Austin, close to the university. The best way to get there is by foot as there is no designated parking and it is in the middle of a residential neighbourhood so this may pose a problem on busy evenings or weekends.