NEWS: Congressman Greg Casar Delivers $3+ Million Federal Funding for All Abilities Playground in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas- On Friday, Congressman Greg Casar(D-Texas) joined community leaders and elected officials to present the City of Austin with a $3,150,000 check to build Austin's first public All Abilities Playground at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park.

PHOTOS from the event can be downloaded here.

"Every kid in Austin deserves a safe place to play, make friends, and explore the world - and every parent and grandparent should be able to enjoy that space alongside them," said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas)."I'm proud to deliver more than $3 million in federal funding to build Austin's first public all abilities playground at Onion Creek Metro Park. After years of community work to make this happen, we're finally creating a destination playground that reflects Austin's values of creativity, inclusion, and opportunity."

"The next defining chapter of Austin will be written in the well-being of our children," said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. "We want them to experience joy and belonging and feel safe and protected. We want them to create lasting core memories and be physically, mentally, and emotionally supported. And we know that belonging is the key to it all. I'm very excited for this project and what it means for our community."

"As an Austinite, Councilwoman, and soon-to-be mom, this investment means everything to our community," said Council Member Vanessa Fuentes (District 2). "Every family in our city, regardless of ability or background, will soon have a world-class space to play, explore, and belong. I'm proud to see this vision become a reality, and can't wait to see this playground come to life."

The federal funding was made possible through the Community Project Funding process for the Fiscal Year 2026 spending bills. The City of Austin applied for the grant through Casar's office last year.

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Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas's 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 119th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.