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