AUSTIN, Texas — Steven Brown believes access to restrooms at a public park is essential to the community in East Austin. Brown feels the city overlooked the basic amenity at Givens Park in the historically Black neighborhood.

Brown is a member of the Givens Working Group, a community-led organization working with Austin Parks and Recreation on its vision plan to renovate the park over the next couple of years. He said the public restrooms at the park have been out of service since the winter freeze of last year.

With repairs underway, the City of Austin provided temporary bathrooms for park visitors. 

Brown said the port-a-potties are not emptied regularly, causing a foul order among other inconveniences, like forcing visitors to bring their own toilet tissue.

“It’s 2022 and our ancestors fought to desegregate bathrooms and have decent bathrooms. I want people to know that east of I-35 we are still asking for bathrooms that have dignity,” said Brown.

Austin Parks and Recreation tells Spectrum News, it services the port-a-potties every other day and park crews perform daily cleanings at Givens Park.

Spectrum News also got an email from Kimberly McNeeley, Director of Austin Parks and Recreation. She cites contract issues with the port-a-potty vendor, even calling the issue a challenge, adding the company is not meeting contact terms as it relates to performance.

Brown believes the park is the culture of East Austin and should be treated with dignity for members of the community.