4 Decades of Service to Hyde Park
This year marks the 41st anniversary of Dr. Kelly Keith’s dentistry practice in Hyde Park. After graduating from the UT School of Medicine in San Antonio, Dr. Keith met veteran dentist Dr. Les Crane at a conference. Dr. Crane invited him to join his practice at the corner of Speedway and 38th Street, and just a year later, sold the building to him. Dr. Keith has been serving the community from that location ever since.

A True Austin Native
Dr. Keith grew up in Austin, attended McCallum High School, and later the University of Texas. He always knew he wanted to return to his hometown to open his own practice. Over the years, Dr. Keith has enjoyed caring for a diverse group of patients, including college students, faculty, and UT employees. He has witnessed the neighborhood’s transformation and now treats many older residents some of whom bring their children and grandchildren to see him. His practice truly feels like a community cornerstone.

Passionate About Dentistry and Community
Dr. Keith continues to find dentistry both interesting and challenging. He enjoys learning new techniques and innovations, but finds the greatest reward in building relationships with his patients and working alongside his dedicated, skilled team.

Thank you, Dr. Keith, for sponsoring this year’s Shipe Park Movie Night Event. We appreciate your ongoing commitment to our community!

Friends of Shipe Park are delighted to have the support of our newest park champion, CG&S Design-Build! Look for the CG&S crew at the Shipe Park Pool Party in June – they will be adding to the fun by sponsoring a bubble-making booth for kids of all ages. Their support of our annual summer event is a contribution to the maintenance and stewardship of our beloved neighborhood park.

The leaders of CG&S, Dolores and Stewart Davis, are looking forward to working with neighborhood around the Shipe Park area:

Since our beginnings as a family-run business in 1957, CG&S has had the privilege of growing alongside this ever-evolving city. As an architect-builder, we specialize in renovation offering architecture, construction, and interior design services to Austin communities. Working in treasured neighborhoods like Hyde Park is always a joy, and we’re proud to have helped safeguard some of its architectural gems. We look forward to continuing this legacy, breathing new life into historic homes with care, respect, and craftsmanship.

The cold weather and rains that had been lingering  most of February cleared just in time for this year’s Its My Park Day, the annual Shipe Park clean up and compost-spreading event on March 1.  Over 80 people formed small teams together to tackle those tasks that keep the park vibrant and resilient, especially during the summer months.  Friends of Shipe Park were thrilled to see many new people participate this year.  The steady recruitment and inclusion of new people is the most important way FOSP can continue our role as stewards of the park, adding park improvement projects while continuing the annual maintenance, and also to be able offer special events like the Pool Opening Party and Fall Movie Night.

As we wrapped up the chores at the Park, our favorite brass band Blowcomotion, provided the soundtrack of fun and festive music.  One of our sponsors, Fairweather Cider, passed out cold samples of their product, which was a real crowd pleaser for the dedicated group of people who hung in there till the last shovel of mulch was spread beneath the trees.  The sun was out, but a cool breeze felt good.

Jack and I were reviewing the event together and what struck us this year especially was how Shipe Park has become the “Plaza Mayor” of our neighborhood.  It’s recognized as the place to come gather, to hold celebrations big and small (every weekend there is a leftover pinata hanging from the cabin rafters after a birthday party.) It’s also the place to play, to learn how to hang from the monkey bars, to swing and play basketball.  Add to that the quieter activities like having a conversation with a friend, practicing yoga, or throwing a ball to a dog: all these combine to make Shipe Park a special place. And with your continuing help,  we can keep it that way.

Interested in learning more about Friends of Shipe Park? Go to www.shipepark.org or our Facebook Page.   Leave a message and we will be in touch!

Meet Shipe Park Partners John and Jen Staples, owners of Fairweather Hard Cider!

John and Jen started making hard cider around 2015 in their backyard/shed using a homemade apple grinder and press. By then, the Staples had chosen cider as their beverage of choice, but they soon became tired of the limited selections available in Texas.  Many American producers have gone the route of making very sweet cider which John did not care for. Having a strong curiosity to learn more about cooking, fermentation and brewing, they were attracted to both the simplicity of cidermaking and potential complexity of the product.  Fairweather has gone through some big changes via production partnerships, distributors and the pandemic but has grown nonetheless  Fairweather is now available in every HEB, Whole Foods and (soon Walmart!) in Central Texas along with many of Austin’s beloved bars and restaurants.  Fairweather has a lot of runway left for growing Fairweather and The Staples look forward to what comes next!

You can see this adorable family playing at Shipe and riding bikes around the neighborhood.  Welcome, Park Partners!

Meet 2025 Its My Park Day Event Sponsor Sam Archer and Juice Realty Group!

Saturday, March 1 marks the third year that Sam Archer and Juice Real Estate Group have stepped up and offered to be a sponsor for Shipe Park’s Its My Park Day (IMPD). This city-wide event is organized and promoted by our fiduciary partner, the Austin Parks Foundation. It is our most important event of the year because Shipe Park relies on volunteers to tackle the important tasks that keep the park healthy, resilient, and welcoming to all park users. Juice Realty’s sponsorship is essential to Shipe Park because the Park Department has had to cut back on the materials and in-kind services that they used to provide for IMPD. The Parks Department is directing a greater share of their resources to under-served areas of town who may not have had so many park improvement projects as we have.

The Friends of Shipe Park could not organize IMPD without sponsors like Sam Archer and Juice Realty. They show up, shovels in hand, ready to go to work, and help us pay for banners and posters, music, and renting landscaping tools when necessary. 

Sam has been in business in Austin since 2005, combining his real estate sales business (Juice) with his property management business (RAM Austin Property Management). He raised his two boys in Hyde Park, and they still live in the ‘hood. Thank you, Sam – we couldn’t do it without you!

It’s My Park Day 2025 will be from 9-12 on Saturday, March 1st. It is a family-friendly event. You can come and go as your schedule allows. 

First register at:
https://austinparks.givepulse.com/event/558137-Its-My-Park-Day-Spring-in-Shipe-Park

If you or your business would like to learn more about sponsorships, contact Jill Nokes at: jill@jillnokes.com

Join us on Sat, Jun 11th at 5-8pm for our Annual Shipe Pool Party! After the sun goes down, we will show a family-friendly movie in the field so bring your blankets and lawn chairs. We will be celebrating summertime and the reopening of our beloved neighborhood pool! Free for one and all!

Special thanks to our event sponsors:

Astound Broadband (formerly Grande Communications) for hosting our movie and toy raffle!!

Hyde Park Neighborhood Association

Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery