Joslin Park Austin's Joslin Park has a new playscape.[/caption]

Construction is wrapping up on a re-envisioned playground at Joslin Park in Southwest Austin.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department funded the construction of a new playscape, and the park team received $39,400 in additional funding through a grant that will go toward installing outdoor fitness equipment at the park, according to Ladye Anne Wofford, programs director for the Austin Parks Foundation.

“Austin is moving away from the very plain primary color playscape equipment, and they’re really working toward nature-based playscapes,” she said.

The fitness equipment should be installed and ready for public use by spring, Wofford said.

“Our investment will provide an opportunity for parents to get a workout while they are watching their children play on the playscape,” she said, explaining resistance-based fitness stations, including an elliptical-like machine, are slated to be set up surrounding the play area.

Area residents have expressed an interest in increasing physical activity in their community, Wofford said. Residents active in the GO! Austin / VAMOS! Austin group advocated for the APF grant funding as part of the Joslin Park team, an official park adoption group of the Adopt-A-Park program.

Other communities throughout Austin can apply for funding at www.austinparks.org.

Joslin Park location Joslin Park is located at 4500 Manchaca Road in Southwest Austin.[/caption]