St. John’s Encampment Commons Park: Named Best Public Space by ULI Austin

Explore the transformation of St. John’s Encampment Commons Park, a vibrant urban space at ACC’s Highland Campus. Through a shared vision amongst esteemed firms, the park blends history, sustainability, and a community-focused design, offering a space for gathering, learning, and reflection.

St. John’s Encampment Commons Park: A Collaborative Triumph in Engineering and Design

St. John’s Encampment Commons Park at Austin Community College’s (ACC) Highland Campus represents a remarkable transformation, turning an asphalt parking lot into a vibrant urban park that honors the past and serves the community’s present and future needs.

The project was a true collaboration, with WGI’s nationally recognized civil engineering division providing construction phase services and working alongside other esteemed firms to bring this public space to life, such as:

Developer: RedLeaf Properties
Landscape Architect: dwg.
Architect: Agenda Architectures
Civil Engineering: WGI
Structural Engineering: Leap!Structures
MEP Engineerings: Bay & Associates, Inc.
General Contractors: Harvey l Harvey-Cleary Builders and Strat Landscape

A Legacy Reimagined

The land which now houses ACC Highland and St. John’s Encampment Commons Park holds deep historical significance – It was once home to the St. John Orphan Home and Industrial Institute, the first African American orphanage in Texas, and later became Highland Mall’s expansive parking lot.

St John's Encampment v1 — ***Photos Courtesy of dwg.***

Through collaboration with community stakeholders, the project team, including WGI, helped translate the site’s rich history into a modern urban park that supports education, gathering, and reflection.

Engineering Sustainable Solutions

The park reduces impervious cover by 89%, incorporating a large bio-retention garden and a sustainable irrigation system. The reclaimed water system, fed by a 1-million-gallon cistern, reduced water usage by 80% and supports the park’s native and drought-tolerant plantings.

These solutions, developed alongside other engineering teams, highlight the importance of green infrastructure in modern urban design.

A Space for Community and Education

WGI worked closely with other firms to create a space that serves multiple functions, from a central lawn for events to smaller areas for passive recreation.

St John's Encampment v2 — **Photos Courtesy of dwg.**

The park’s pavilion, inspired by the historical tent encampments, provides shade and a focal point for gatherings. The park also preserved 17 mature trees, including four heritage live oaks, which were transplanted to add natural beauty and environmental benefits.

Economic and Social Impact

Beyond its aesthetic and environmental contributions, St. John’s Encampment Commons Park positively impacts the surrounding community.

The park provides much-needed green space, fosters community engagement, and enhances property values in the Highland area. Its accessibility, connected to the ACC Highland Red Line station, ensures that it will be a vital resource for residents, students, and visitors alike for years to come.

Celebrating the Past, Building for the Future

St. John’s Encampment Commons Park stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in shaping sustainable, inclusive public spaces.

While honoring its historical roots, the park’s design, led by a team of engineers, architects, landscape architects, and community advocates, ensures it remains a place of learning and gathering for future generations.

St John's Encampment v3 — **Photos Courtesy of dwg.**

Through a shared vision, the transformation of this site highlights how civil engineering, combined with innovative design, can create spaces that positively impact both people and the environment.

The success of St. John’s Encampment Commons Park highlights the expertise and thoughtful collaboration that WGI’s civil engineering team brings to each and every project. Whether it’s enhancing sustainability or transforming urban spaces, our team is committed to delivering exceptional results that exceed all expectations.

ULI Austin Impact Awards

Best Public Place: This award recognizes a completed project that provides the public with enhanced civic, open, or public space access or experiences.

Winner: St. John’s Encampment Commons Park transformed the easternmost section of the former Highland Mall parking lot into a signature urban park for the mixed-use ACC Highland campus redevelopment. The design demonstrates the economic importance of the public realm while creating a rich narrative about history, environmental responsibility, and social equity.

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