Downtown Parks Initiative

APF works with the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department and the Downtown Austin Alliance to develop and revitalize downtown parks. Learn more about the Downtown Parks Initiative.

Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park

APF and City of Austin are working to develop the new Guerrero Colorado River Park. Learn more about getting involved in Guerrero Park.

Partners for Parks Programs

The Partners for Parks Program joins citizens with the resources they need to create beautiful, user-friendly parks. Through grants, workshops, access to tools, and open communication with appropriate city departments, the program is building a community of volunteers who are transforming Austin's parks. Programs include:

Read more about groups who are taking advantage of our Partners for Parks programs and improving their parks!

Neighborhood Park Grants Program

Green for your green space. If you have a great idea for a park improvement project, a park program or even a vision for a brand new park, Neighborhood Park Grants can help! Grants of $500 to $2,500 are available for projects ranging from facility improvements to community events.
Walnut Bluffs Workday volunteer Noah Kentros assists with a Neighborhood Park Grant project.

The Austin Parks Foundation created the Neighborhood Park Grants Program to strengthen community

investment and involvement in Austin's green spaces. Grant recipients are required to match

awards with volunteer time and funds from local residents and businesses, in order to foster broad community participation. APF provides grant recipients administrative, technical, and organizational assistance. Over the past five years, the program funded 50 projects totaling over $53,000 in project support, resulting in more than $319,000 in park improvements.

Applications for the 2006/2007 grant cycle are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is July 14th.

Adopt-A-Park

Is there a park near you that could use a helping hand? Adopt a local park or green space! The Austin Parks Foundation will help by bringing together interested volunteers and opening lines of communication with city departments.

 

Diminishing city funds and increasing demands on undeveloped spaces are leading to the deterioration of our parks. Park programs and facilities need volunteer support to raise maintenance levels and increase the quality of programming. That's what Adopt-A-Park is all about.

Each year, Adopt-A-Park donors of time, talent and treasure are honored at the Adopt-A-Park awards luncheon produced by the Austin Parks Foundation and Austin Parks and Recreation.

It's My Park! Tool Trailer

APF’s Tool Trailer is available to community groups throughout Austin. The Tool Trailer provides access to the tools and resources needed for working on trails, gardens, ponds, and recreation fields. Find out how to borrow or donate tools.

 

Fiduciary Services Program

The Fiduciary Services Program is another way that the Austin Parks Foundation is able to provide community groups with the tools they need to claim stewardship of their local park. Through this program, groups interested in improving a park, but not currently registered as a non-profit, can join in a contractual agreement to make APF their fiscal agent. Through this agreement, APF becomes a “charitable umbrella” for park-friends groups. Acting as the registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, APF administers charitable funds and assists the client in raising funds through individual donations to support their park improvement efforts.

 

Fiduciary clients become a part of the Austin Parks Foundation's network of park supporters. Current fiduciary service clients include: Bull Creek Foundation, Austin Men’s Soccer Association, Greater Austin Soccer Coalition, Guerrero Memorial Fund, Friends of Ramsey Park, Friends of Patterson Park, Friends of Stacy Park, Friends of Deep Eddy, Dougherty Arts School Scholarship Committee, SmART, Riviera Springs Homeowners Association, and Austin Public Skatepark Action Committee.

To learn more, view the Fiduciary Services Program statement of policies and application. Please email questions to apf@austinparks.org.