Kyle Parks and Recreation Department Receives Grant to Build City’s First Community Garden

KYLE, TEXAS –– The City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Department was recently awarded a $25,000 grant by the Burdine Johnson Foundation for the purpose of creating a community garden at Post Oak Park.  

Following unanimous approval by City Council during the April 4 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Department has the greenlight to utilize these funds and move forward in creating the City of Kyle’s first community garden. 

“As we continue to expand our parks system in the City of Kyle, the Post Oak Park and community garden will be a great addition by enhancing nutrition and physical activity while promoting public health and improving quality of life,” City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Director Mariana Espinoza said. “It will provide a central location where community members can work side by side to grow food for their families and neighborhoods.” 

The final design of the Post Oak Community Garden, which will consist of six acres of land off Hwy. 150 East of I-35, aims to have 35 garden plots, including ADA plots, compost bins, restrooms, covered tables, parking and other amenities. The community garden aims to serve over 300 people annually and improve the consumption of fruits and vegetables. 

This grant does not include any matching funds. The overall estimated budget for the community garden at Post Oak is $157,000. The Phase 1 portion of the budget is anticipated to be complete this year. The City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Department and Parks Board will continue to seek additional funding to complete the garden, including applying for grants and sponsorships.  

The Burdine Johnson Foundation is a non-profit organization motivated by the desire to enhance the quality of life for those in Hays County and Central Texas. The foundation awards grants to local charitable organizations involving the arts, education, health and human services, the environment and historic preservation. Since their establishment in 1960, the Burdine Johnson Foundation has donated over $50 million to charitable causes.  

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The City of Kyle is located in the heart of the I-35 Innovation Corridor, just 26 miles south of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport & 50 miles north of San Antonio International Airport. Kyle is the second largest city in Hays County and is poised to become the largest — with a population that grew from 5,000 citizens in 2000 to just over 50,000 in 2020. We are the designated Pie Capital of Texas and home of the annual Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival. For more information, go to CityofKyle.com.