Beverly Stephen Sheffield: "The Man Who Taught Austin To Play" was the title of a local news story that appeared in 1999 in the Austin American Statesman. The next phrase might well have been "and Provided Opportunities and Places."
Beverly Sheffield was born March 7, 1913, in Alamo Heights (deceased 1999). After his father’s death, he began work at the age of 10, delivering milk twice daily. He graduated from high school and attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. He earned bachelor and master’s degrees in education for the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Recreational Administration at New York University. During high school and college, he worked for YMCA camps and for the City of Austin Recreation Department. In 1935 he was named Austin’s Assistant Director of Recreation.
From 1943 to 1945 Beverly was Welfare and Recreation Officer for the United States Navy, retiring as a Lt. Commander. He returned to Austin as Director of Recreation and then of Parks and Recreation. In 1974 he headed the office for the Bicentennial Celebration and in 1977 he directed the City’s Office of Trust and Endowments. From 1978 to 1987 he was Executive Director of Austin Community Foundation.
He taught four years at the University of Texas at Austin as an adjunct professor of recreational education. He served as a consultant on parks and recreation planning for cities around the state and held memberships and offices in state, regional and national organizations. He also served as chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Recreation and Parks Association.
He was an active member and often an officer and sometimes founder of such civic groups as American Red Cross, United Fund, Audubon Society, U.S.O., National Science Association, Ballet Society, Aqua Festival, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Society, YMCA, Symphony Society, Austin Area Gardens Council, Community Council, Montopolis Community Center, Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Arts Council and Boys Club. Beverly was founder of the Natural Science Center, creator of the Zilker Botanical Garden, the Hillside Theater, Austin Area Garden Council, the Zilker Christmas Tree and the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail. He was the person most responsible for many of Austin’s swimming pools, playgrounds and greenbelts.
National, state and local awards to Beverly have been plentiful, including the naming of two facilities in Zilker Park for him: the Beverly Sheffield Education Center with its exhibit "Splash into the Edwards Aquifer" and the Beverly Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater. He was names Austin’s Most Worthy Citizen in 1978.
His wife, Lois, says Beverly was perhaps most gratified by his selection by his peers as a "Fellow" (one of 50 in the United States of America) in the American Recreation Society, the success of his efforts to integrate public park facilities before it became law to do so and his role in the creation of the Austin Community Foundation.
Also, high on his list must have been "Bev’s Swim to Hawaii." This is how it happened: Bev decided to become a serious swimmer at the age of 50. He did. Most recently, he decided to swim in Barton Spring the distance between New York City and Los Angeles. From a marked spot on a curb at the Springs to the dam and back is one-fourth mile. Thus, he measured his trip of 2,820 miles. Completed, he determined to "swim" to Hawaii, and was 542 miles into the Pacific Ocean when ill health stopped him. Inspired by a poem written by Susan Bright and organized by Helen Besse, some 50 fellow swimmers swan 2,820 miles in approximately 2,250 swims to complete the "trek." A "welcome to Hawaii" party celebrated reaching the goal. The "swim" continues. Its goal is now around the world.
Beverly Sheffield was a modest man. He never figured out how remarkable he was.
Beverly was a child of the Depression. It marked him. Many of his accomplishments in helping Austin become the cherished place it is occurred at the time when money, public and private, was scarce. Beverly, George Meriwether, and Richard Donoghue incorporated the Austin Community Foundation, which opened with a borrowed office and equipment, and an unpaid director (Beverly) delivering mail around town to save stamps and provide the opportunities to talk about the Foundation with the givers and recipients. Last year the Foundation gave away over 5.8 million dollars.