Accomplishments and Recent News

Austin Parks Foundation Announces $300,000 in Grants

On February 5, 2007, the Austin Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Capital Sports & Entertainment and Charles Attal Presents, announced that $150,000 in grants will be distributed for park improvement projects to the following neighborhood associations: Barton Hills NA, Zilker NA, Bouldin Creek NA, Old West Austin NA, and the West Austin Neighborhood Group. Additionally, the City of Rollingwood will receive part of the grant money. A further $150,000 will be given to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department for Zilker Park improvements. These funds are from the proceeds from the October 22, 2006 Rolling Stones concert at Zilker Park. Read the full press release.

Finding Our Way at Zilker Park

Over 50 volunteers turned out on January 27 to help put in directional markers at Zilker Loop Trail. The six-foot high, glow-in-the-dark posts each weigh about 70 pounds. Enthusiastic volunteers formed into teams of four to take turns carrying the posts, digging holes and mixing concrete.

College Forward volunteers and others pose with post.

The task was a bit of a treasure hunt - each team had to find the marker indicating where their particular post should go. Then they had to make sure to correctly orient the post so that directional arrows pointed the right way.

For example, the arrow pointing towards Barton Spring Pool could accidentally be facing Robert E. Lee Blvd.. Yikes! Fortunately, all the volunteers got their posts properly aligned before adding the concrete and permanently setting the posts in place.

Additional volunteers cut huge stands of invasive Georgia Cane, making way for native grasses to recover along the banks. Piles of cane were hauled about a quarter mile uphill to a parking area for future removal. What a job!

For both tasks, teamwork was key. Big thanks go out to our volunteers from REI, College Forward, and the community at large. Thanks also to REI for their grant, which purchased the signage.

First Night: Park(ing) on Congress Avenue

How easy is it to transform parking into parkland? 100s found out at First Night Austin!

We hope it made Joni Mitchell smile when we turned a parking space into a park-space! Yup, we got a couple trees out of the tree museum, added some recycled-plastic seating, booted out the cars - and viola! A park! Austin Parks Foundation transformed two parking spaces in front of the Frost Bank building on Congress at Fifth St into a mini-park with chairs, tables, and trees for the afternoon of First Night Austin. Visitors enjoyed coloring pictures of favorite parks, and envisioning a city with even more green space!

This exercise, while temporary, was meant to inspire the imagination. What make a park, and how can we have them where we need them most? What if every fifth parking space were turned into a park? How hard would it be, and how would it change the character of our city? We know it's crazy - but we can dream....

Austin Parks Survey and Action for Parks

Austin Parks Foundation's Action for Parks program takes direct action for Austin's most needy parks. The initial park was determined through a citywide survey in summer 2005. Over 1,000 citizens told us which parks they thought would most benefit from an Austin Parks Foundation project.

Since September 2005, Austin Parks Foundation has held 20 volunteer events at Shoal Creek Greenbelt, creating tangible improvements in a short period of time. Thousands of hours have been donated by over 600 volunteers to improve trails, restore grass, and remove invasive plants. Our efforts have spurred new interest in restoring and preserving the park on the part of community groups, business leaders, and the city parks department.

It's My Park! Day

The 4th annual It's My Park! Day brought 1,200 people to over 40 different parks on April 22nd, 2006. Volunteers lent a hand at park facilities throughout the city, picking up litter, weeding, clearing trails, installing playscapes, and planting flower beds. Over 4,000 hours of volunteer labor were contributed in a single day! It's My Park! Day is part of Austin Parks Foundation's mission to build community involvement and leadership for Austin's parks.

Advocacy

The foundation works closely with local and national conservation groups to advocate for funding for park improvements and land acquisition. Our efforts include testimony, outreach and web site production for bond election campaigns. In November 2005, over 66% of Travis County voters voted to approve $62.15 M in park and aquifer protection bonds. Slated for the November 2006 election, City of Austin voters are being asked to consider Proposition 3, which includes a bond issue of $84.7 M for park improvements and park land acquisition. Austin Parks Foundation is supporting this proposition. For further information on the November 2006 City of Austin bond election, please visit www.austinparkbonds.org

Movies in the Park

For five years, every spring and fall sees crowds of enthusiastic movie goers lounging on the lawns of Republic Square Park for movie presentations. Recent films have included Napoleon Dynamite, selections from the Harry Potter series, Cool Hand Luke, and Dazed and Confused. Movies in the Park is part of Austin Parks Foundation's efforts to revitalize downtown parks.

Wireless Internet in Downtown Parks

Austin's historic downtown parks are embracing the future, with the installation of free wireless Internet. Wooldridge, Brush and Republic Square Park all have Internet available. This project is a collaborative effort of the Downtown Park Partners, the Austin Wireless City Project, the City of Austin, and Schlotzsky’s®. The purpose of this group’s efforts is to provide free wireless Internet access and to activate public spaces.

Neighborhood Park Grants

Over the past six years, Austin Parks Foundation has funded 50 neighborhood projects, distributing $55,000. Because of match requirements, these grants have resulted in more than $315,000 in park improvements. Neighborhood Park Grants build community leadership and involvement. Through service to their local park, neighbors strengthen community ties.

It's My Park! Tool Trailer

Our Tool Trailer is a resource for Austin community groups' park improvement projects. Adopt-a-Park groups may borrow a variety of digging, cutting and hauling tools to help them accomplish their park improvement projects.

Giant Chess Youth Tournament

Every October at Wooldridge Square Park, youth in grades K-12 participate in a chess tournament using knee-high chess pieces on a giant chess board. Austin Parks Foundation volunteers host weekly giant chess matches year round at Wooldridge Square's pavilion.

Volunteer!

Get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air! Visit our list of upcoming volunteer events.

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