Community Engagement Event: Delores Duffie Recreation Center
2025-06-14 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Dolores Duffie Recreation Center, 1182 N Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
We want to hear from you! Join Delores Duffie Recreation Center for a fun and interactive Community Engagement Session. Help shape the future of our programs, resources, and events. Come share your ideas, meet your neighbors, and enjoy some light refreshments and activities.

Givens Park Pool - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
2025-06-07 10:00 | Givens Park, 3811 East 12th Street, Austin, TX, 78721, United States
Join Austin Parks and Recreation for the Givens Pool Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m. at 3811 E. 12th St. After more than 50 years serving the historically African American community, the Givens District Park Pool has been redeveloped for future generations to enjoy.
In 2018, the Aquatic Plan identified the pool as in need of improvements and it was closed in 2019 due to leaks in the pool shell. New amenities include lap lane pool, zero-entry activity pool (toddler pool), spray ground features, diving board, bathhouses, family restroom, training/party room, picnic pads with shade structures, and aquatic office space.
For more information about the project, visit AustinTexas.gov/GivensPool.

Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park Phase 1 Play Community Zoom Meeting
2025-02-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
Mark Your Calendar for the Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park Phase 1 Play Community Zoom Meeting!

Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park Phase 1 Play Community Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Register Today!
https://tinyurl.com/mvwmrhv7

Austin Parks and Recreation Department will review the proposed play features planned for the park’s upcoming Phase 1 improvements including:
• Present two playground concept designs
• Launch our second-round survey to gather feedback for the future play areas
• Review the timeline for upcoming Phase 1 improvements

Visit our project webpage for more Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park enhancements information: AustinTexas.gov/wel-phase1

Carver Museum Facility Expansion In-Person Discussion
2025-01-16 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-01-11 10:00 - 11:30 | George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina Street, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Be a part of Carver Vision!

Join us for an in-person small group discussion on the Carver’s future development on the following dates. Help shape the future! RSVPs are not required.

Small Group Discussion (in person #1)
Saturday, January 11, 2025, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
1165 Angelina Street, Austin, Texas 78702
No RSVP required
Small Group Discussion (in person #2)
Thursday, January 16, 2025, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
1165 Angelina Street, Austin, Texas 78702
No RSVP required

Carver Expansion Highlights Include:
* New Multi-Purpose Area: Relocating administrative offices to an upper-level area to create space for community-centric programming.
* Outdoor Enhancements: Potential additions include outdoor classrooms, community gardens, a flexible event lawn with a covered pavilion, the relocation of the Juneteenth statues, and renovations to public restrooms.

Can’t make it to the small group discussion? Take our survey and share your thoughts today!
Community Survey (English)
https://publicinput.com/r72586

Encuesta Comunitaria (en español)
https://publicinput.com/carvervisionencuesta

Visit the Carver Facility Expansion project webpage to learn more:
https://www.austintexas.gov/carverphase1

Carver Museum Facility Expansion Virtual Discussion
2025-01-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
Join on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. for an upcoming small group discussion for George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural & Genealogy Center to learn more about the exciting facility expansion plans including:
• A new multi-purpose area for community-centric programming made possible by relocating administrative offices to a new upper-level area.
• Outdoor spaces and site improvements that may include outside classrooms, community gardens, a new flexible event lawn with a covered pavilion, relocation of the Juneteenth statues, and renovation of the existing public restrooms.
RSVP here.

Meet The Candidates: Museums and Cultural Programs Division Manager
2024-07-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department invites community members to a virtual meeting with finalists for the Museums and Cultural Programs Division Manager Position. The selected candidate will lead and oversee an annual budget of $8.2M for the operations of City of Austin museums, galleries, and cultural centers and spaces.
Join Austin Parks and Recreation Thursday, July 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an online meet and greet. Register for the Zoom meeting. During the meet-and-greet, attendees will hear about the hiring process, candidates’ backgrounds, and provide feedback on each candidate.
The Museums and Cultural Programs Division provides safe and inclusive spaces where people explore creativity and identity through the arts, histories and cultures of Austin and the world. The division promotes civic engagement through festivals, performances, exhibitions, social practice, camps, workshops and classes.

Latinapalooza Music Festival
2024-05-26 12:00 - 17:00 | Rosewood Park, 2300 Rosewood Avenue, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
This May, some of Austin’s favorite Latina acts will deliver on talent and culture for a free Latinapalooza show on Sunday, May 26 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Lampkin Pavilion in Rosewood Park, 1182 North Pleasant Valley Rd., behind the ballfields and adjacent to New York Ave. The show will feature emerging and long-time performances by Bidi Bidi Banda, Llamativa, Mariachi Las Coronelas, The Tiarras and Patricia Vonne.

12 Noon – Bidi Bidi Banda: Selena tribute band fronted by Stephanie Bergara and her Tejano musicians.
1 p.m. – Llamativa: An 8 piece all female Chicanx band from San Antonio that pushes the boundaries of Latin genre with Cumbia, Salsa, Bolero, Chacha and Tejano influences.
2 p.m. – Mariachi Las Coronelas: a modern all-female mariachi ensemble, famously known for traditional mariachi boleros, rancheras, original music and their high energy performances.
3 p.m. – The Tiarras: Three powerhouse Tejana sisters, represent the next generation of Latina music. Their mission-driven eclectic sound and anthemic lyrics celebrate unity, empowerment, inclusion and a love of community.
4 p.m. – Patricia Vonne: A Tex –Mex spitfire with a rock n roll heart who plays a border crossing, bilingual mix of flamenco and Mexican influences with all American rock n roll.

Latinapalooza is Austin’s premiere Latina/Hispanic music showcase that connects culture and community. This community show is a collaboration between the artists sponsored by City of Austin Cultural Arts Division and Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center.

Almost unconsciously, Austin’s Eastside is this city’s heart center. Even with updated facades and a new crop of residents, its cultural origin magnetizes new arrivals and tourists and is still home to so many who defined its history. Celebrating that history and energy are some of Austin’s most talented and beloved Latina musicians at this free, family-friendly, outdoor event.

Latinapalooza was founded by singer/songwriter, actress and entrepreneur Patricia Vonne, and it has been an official SXSW showcase for the past three years. In addition to being part of SXSW, this event is now a free showcase offered in May celebrating Latin music and culture with an all female Latina lineup performing everything from mariachi, pop, Tejano to flamenco roots rock.

“There’s a sisterhood of musicians in Austin that have put the city on an international map, but also spotlights Austin’s specific cultural heritage. I’m excited as ever to perform with and for familia,” said Patricia Vonne.

Grand Meadow Park Community Meeting
2023-05-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Grand Meadow Park, 8022 Thaxton Rd., Austin, TX, 78747, United States
Help shape the future of Grand Meadow Park!

Grand Meadow is an undeveloped neighborhood park in southeast Austin. Eager to develop this park, a local stewardship organization applied for and was awarded a design grant by Austin Parks Foundation. This project is in the community engagement phase.

Background

Located at 8022 Thaxton Drive, at the intersection of Thaxton Dive and Panadero Road, the land was historically used as farmland. In 1988, the City of Austin acquired a 6.4-acre parcel, then expanded the park by acquiring two smaller parcels in 2004. Now surrounded by single-family homes, the nearly ten-acre property is currently designated as a wildflower meadow. In 2022, the Friends of Grand Meadow, a stewardship organization dedicated to building community around the park, was granted design services by Austin Parks Foundation.

Project Description

Austin Parks Foundation, in coordination with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, will conduct community engagement and develop a concept plan to guide the future development of Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park.

Anticipated Schedule

January 2023: Site inventory and analysis (complete)
March to July 2023: Community engagement and park design development (ongoing)
August 2023: Finalize concept plan
September 2023: Submit final concept plan to PARD for official review & adoption

Open House At Seaholm Intake Building
2023-01-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Seaholm Intake Building, 801 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Join us for a pop-up event at Seaholm Intake from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 28th.

Austin Parks & Recreation’s Historic Preservation and Tourism Program invites you to an open house at the Seaholm Intake Building.

UT School of Architecture (UTSOA) Senior Lecturer Robert Stepnoski and Project Designer Michael Rahmatoulin will be present to give visitors an overview of the advanced architectural modeling conducted for Seaholm Intake by UTSOA faculty and students.

No public parking or restrooms are available at this time. The closest facilities are across the street at the Austin Central Library.

More info about the Seaholm Intake Building:
The Seaholm Intake Facility is located on the banks of Lady Bird Lake and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. The Seaholm Intake facility was once the pump house for the Seaholm Power Plant complex and is an iconic Art Deco design. The Seaholm Intake Facility requires extensive renovations after sitting vacant and decommissioned as a power plant building for decades. The focus of the Phase 1 rehabilitation is to provide the necessary upgrades to allow for rejuvenation and activation of the space in the short-term, while plans for the next phase of the Seaholm Waterfront Plan are developed.

Zilker Park Vision Plan Community Meeting
2022-12-10 10:00 - 14:00 | McBeth Recreation Center, 2401 Columbus Dr., Austin, TX, 78746, United States
Participate at one or two Community Meeting options for the Zilker Park Vision Plan!

Wednesday, December 7: Virtual meeting at 6PM
Saturday, December 10: Open house meeting from 10AM to 2PM at McBeth Recreation Center in Zilker Park.

More info:
The Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan is a community-driven planning process to establish a guiding framework for the restoration and future development of Zilker Metropolitan Park. It is the first comprehensive planning initiative to encompass the park’s 350 acres and associated facilities.

The Parks and Recreation Department has released the draft Zilker Park Vision Plan document and map and is seeking community feedback. Community members can provide feedback in a number of ways:
— Reading and commenting on the draft plan document online: Community members can read the entire draft plan and provide comments directly on the document now through January 8, 2023.

— Reviewing the draft plan map and completing the survey: For community members who may not have time to read the entire draft plan, they can review the draft plan map of the park and provide responses to the survey tool.

— Connecting with the planning team at community meetings or pop-ups: Community members may also have additional questions as they review the draft plan and map. The planning team will be available at community meetings and pop-ups as detailed below.

Community Meeting #5: Virtual and In-Person
Community members can also participate at two Community Meeting options for the Zilker Park Vision Plan.

Wednesday, December 7, Austin Parks and Recreation will host a virtual meeting, record it and post it online afterward.
Saturday, December 10, the Department will host an in-person open house meeting at McBeth Recreation Center in Zilker Park.

Zilker Park Vision Plan Community Meeting
2022-12-07 18:00 | Online

Volma Overton Sr. Beach Renaming Ceremony
2022-06-11 09:00 | Town Lake Metropolitan Park, 1003 West Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX, United States
Join Austin Parks and Recreation for the Volma Overton, Sr. Beach Renaming Ceremony at Town Lake Metropolitan Park, 1003 West Cesar Chavez St., on Saturday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m. This is an outdoor park event, so please dress comfortably.

Volma Overton, Sr. was born in Southeast Travis County and served in the Marines during World War II, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. Soon after his service to our country concluded, he enrolled in Huston-Tillotson University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with a minor in Math.

Volma Overton, Sr.’s contributions to the City of Austin were critical and transformational. He was a lifelong champion and advocate for civil rights and racial equality. Such advocacy is captured in his leadership role at the National Alliance of Postal Workers, a union comprised of primarily African American maintenance and janitorial workers, where he served as president and advocated for racial equality and fairness in the postal system.

In 1962, he became president of the Austin Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). During his tenure, he organized numerous demonstrations and actions to combat racial inequality, systemic racism, and institutional inequities.

In 1964, he led successful advocacy efforts for the Austin City Council to sponsor an antidiscrimination ordinance and the constitution of the Human Rights Commission, which was tasked with reviewing discrimination complaints. In 1965, Volma Overton, Sr. marched alongside Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Selma to Montgomery March.

Volma Overton. Sr.’s commitment to justice included reforming Austin and Central Texas’ local institutions. One of his many other accomplishments included desegregating the Austin Independent School District through a lawsuit he filed in 1970, which named his daughter, DeDra, as the lead plaintiff. Additionally, he fought alongside Boy Scout Troop #70 to integrate the swimming pool at Bastrop State Park in 1963.

Volma Overton’s, Sr.’s philanthropic efforts included a mentoring program for youth at Oak Springs Elementary, as well as the conversion of the Overton House into a community center for African Americans in Austin.

Volma Overton, Sr. received accolades and awards for his pioneering civil rights work including NAACP Arthur B. DeWitty Award, The Villager newspaper’s Austin Living Legends Award, and University of Texas LBJ Award for Leadership in Civil Rights.

Volma Overton, Sr. was laid to rest with military honors at the Texas State Cemetery alongside governors, senators, legislators, congressional leaders, judges and other legendary Texans. His contributions to Austin and Central Texas have been invaluable. He is an integral part of Austin’s history.

CelebrASIA
2022-05-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Road, Austin, TX, United States
Join Austin Parks and Recreation for CelebrASIA at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) at 8401 Cameron Rd. on Saturday, May 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This family-friendly festival is free and open to the public. There will be performance groups, musicians, and hands-on activities by AARC and community organizations. Lala’s Kitchen, and Mama Kong will be selling food on site.

Get ready for performances from Lara Price Band, Austin Taiwanese Association, Myanmar Chin Cultural Unity, Formosa Association of Students Culture Ambassador (FASCA), Austin Japanese Minyo Group, Navrus School of Performing Arts, Baila Pacifica Entertainment, The Love of China, ATX Korean Dance Crew, Diversity Band, and Don Bosco Lion Dance!

Asian Family Support Services of Austin, Austin Asian Community Health Initiative, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Dougherty Arts Center, George Washington Carver Museum, and Oakwood Cemetery are some of the local community organizations taking part in the celebration. CelebrASIA will also be an opportunity to learn more about the AARC Phase 2 Expansion Project and Performing Arts Center.

The event will be outdoors with some indoor activities. There is no virtual event option this year. Please do not to attend if you or your family have been exposed to COVID, have a recent positive COVID diagnosis, or have been ill. RSVP to the CelebrASIA Facebook event or the Eventbrite event. Learn more about the AARC at AustinTexas.gov/AARC.

Ceremonial Moment of Silence & Splash Honoring Civil Rights Activist Joan Means Khabele
2022-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Barton Springs Pool, 2201 Barton Springs Pool, Austin, 78746, United States
Austin Parks and Recreation invites the public to attend a ceremony at Barton Springs Pool on Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to honor Joan Means Khabele. Her courageous act of swimming in Barton Springs to protest segregation at the pool sparked the civil rights era swim-ins that eventually led to the desegregation of Barton Springs Pool.

The event will include a proclamation, speakers, and water blessing ceremony performed by Geraldo Perez. The PBS documentary featuring Khabele talking about her swim at Barton Springs will be screened at the pool. Additionally, there will be listening booths set-up for community members to share oral histories and personal experiences regarding race and Barton Springs. The oral histories will become part of an exhibit, virtual and physical, that will be featured on site at the Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center. Over the next few years, Austin Parks and Recreation will continue to collect diverse stories to tell the full history of Barton Springs. This is just the beginning.

Joan Elizabeth Means Khabele was an activist and scholar from Austin. Born at Holy Cross Hospital in East Austin, she attended Blackshear Elementary School and Kealing Junior High. She was among the third group of students to integrate Austin High School in the late 1950s. In her senior year, she was a student leader in activism that led to the integration of Barton Springs and Zilker Park. After not being allowed to swim at her high school senior picnic, she was the first Black person to jump into Barton Springs Pool in an act of civil disobedience. In doing so, she sparked a movement of swim-ins that took place on a weekly basis throughout the summer of 1960.

In this interview with Austin PBS, Khabele describes the measures she and others took to desegregate the iconic Austin landmark.

Zilker Park Vision Plan Community Meeting #4: Plan Concepts
2022-02-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
You are invited to participate in the fourth virtual Community Meeting for the Zilker Park Vision Plan. During the meeting, we will present several illustrative plans that bring together ideas from previous alternatives and community input. Please join us to submit your comments and additional ideas, as we head toward a draft plan for the future of Zilker Park.

The Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan is a community-driven planning process to establish a guiding framework for the restoration and future development of Zilker Metropolitan Park. It is the first comprehensive planning initiative to encompass the park’s 350 acres and associated facilities.

—–
Está invitado a participar en la cuarta reunión comunitaria virtual para el Plan de visión de Zilker Park. Durante la reunión, presentaremos varios planes ilustrativos que reúnen ideas de alternativas anteriores y aportes de la comunidad. Únase a nosotros para enviar sus comentarios e ideas adicionales, mientras nos dirigimos hacia un plan preliminar para el futuro para Zilker Park.

KaBOOM! Hosts First-Ever Austin Park Playground Build
2019-11-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Wooten Park, 1500 Dale Dr., Austin, TX, 78757, United States
Hosted by the Austin Parks Foundation and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department –
Join the Austin Parks & Recreation Department, Austin Parks Foundation, and other community members for the first KaBOOM! project in an Austin park! On Wednesday, November 6th, hundreds of volunteers will transform Wooten Park into a kid-designed, state-of-the-art playground in just six hours. The new playground will provide a space for Austin kids and families to develop skills essential to physical, creative, social and emotional growth.
Austinites are invited to volunteer for this special project. There are three days of volunteer opportunities available. The first two on Monday and Tuesday will be prep days and Wednesday, November 6 will be the build day. No construction experience is necessary, and there are jobs available for all ability levels.
Ready to volunteer? Check out volunteer opportunities on Monday 11/4, Tuesday 11/5 and Wednesday 11/6 here: http://bit.ly/2BCmmkl

Scenic Brook Park - Community Meeting #1
2019-09-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Travis County Community Center at Oak Hill, 8656 W. Hwy. 71, Austin, TX, 78735, United States
Hosted by the Austin Parks Foundation, City of Austin Parks and Rec Department, and the Scenic Brook and South Windmill Run neighborhood associations –
Austin Parks Foundation, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the Scenic Brook and South Windmill Run Neighborhood Associations will be holding the first community input meeting for the park master plan.
Overall park conditions will be discussed and the public can weigh in on the park amenities they would like to see.
Join us and help shape the future of this park!
Location:
Travis County Community Center at Oak Hill, Precinct 3
Meeting Room in Building A
8656 W. Hwy. 71 Austin, Texas, 78735

Drake Bridge Commons Community Engagement #2
2019-08-17 09:00 - 11:00 | pro logo
Hosted by the Trail Foundation and the Austin Parks and Rec Department –
The Trail Foundation (TTF), in partnership with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), invites community members to the second community input event on the Drake Bridge Commons. At this event, the new Drake Bridge Commons project will be revealed and public input on the design and programming will be sought.
The event will include free family activities, entertainment, and snacks donated by local vendors. Community feedback will help inform the next phases of the project.
WHERE: The Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Drake Bridge Commons (Under 1st St. Bridge, North Lady Bird Lake)
More info about Drake Bridge Commons:
Most Austinites know Drake Bridge as the 1st Street Bridge, and there is little sense of the Trail at Drake Bridge as a place or destination. This project, an inaugural Corgan Canopy Fund project, intends to create a memorable space under the north Drake Bridge and anticipates new walking surfaces and an improved water’s edge. Because the under-bridge condition is so dark, it offers possibilities for dramatic treatments in the use of lighting, water, and materials. While the focus is the area under the bridge itself, an extended zone on each side will also be considered.
The community’s feedback will help to inform the next phases of the project, which will transform the space under the 1st Street Bridge and surrounding hillsides into a new public amenity linking downtown to the Butler Trail and Lady Bird Lake. Designers and TTF staff will be available for conversations at the event.
The Drake Bridge Commons space will incorporate three themes: Equitable Access, Ecological Imagination, and Irresistible Attraction. Program elements could include Trail improvements, green stormwater infrastructure, lighting, water access, seating, donor recognition, interpretive features, and more.

Our Parks, Our Future Long Range Plan Final Meeting #2
2019-07-27 09:00 - 13:00 | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX, 78746, United States
Hosted by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department –
Join us at the Final “Our Parks, Our Future” Community Meetings
Ideas ranging from more community gardens in parks to developing new linear parks and greenways to adding new signage that is accessible to all are being considered as part of the Long Range Plan for Austin’s parks and recreation land, facilities, and programs. We will present a draft plan to the public at both of the July meetings and at pop-up events around the city. The long-range plan is designed to guide the development and growth of Austin’s park system.
Zilker Botanical Garden
July 27, 2019, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information on the Long Range Plan, visit https://austintexas.gov/austinfutureparks
Participe con nosotros en las Juntas Comunitarias Finales de “Nuestros Parques, Nuestro Futuro”
Ideas desde instalar más jardines comunitarios en los parques a desarrollar nuevos parques y senderos lineares, agregar nuevos señales accesibles, todo se está deliberando para el Plan a Largo Plazo de los parques y terreno de recreación de Austin, de sus facilidades y programas. Presentaremos un borrador del pan al público en las dos reuniones de julio y en eventos improvisos “pop up” en toda la ciudad. El plan a largo plazo es para guiar el desarrollo y expansión del sistema de parques en Austin.

Our Parks, Our Future Long Range Plan Final Meeting #1
2019-07-25 16:00 - 20:00 | Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave St, TX, 78702, United States
Hosted by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department –
Join us at the Final “Our Parks, Our Future” Community Meetings
Ideas ranging from more community gardens in parks to developing new linear parks and greenways to adding new signage that is accessible to all are being considered as part of the Long Range Plan for Austin’s parks and recreation land, facilities, and programs. We will present a draft plan to the public at both of the July meetings and at pop-up events around the city. The long-range plan is designed to guide the development and growth of Austin’s park system.
Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
July 25, 2019, 4 to 8 p.m.
For more information on the Long Range Plan, visit https://austintexas.gov/austinfutureparks
Participe con nosotros en las Juntas Comunitarias Finales de “Nuestros Parques, Nuestro Futuro”
Ideas desde instalar más jardines comunitarios en los parques a desarrollar nuevos parques y senderos lineares, agregar nuevos señales accesibles, todo se está deliberando para el Plan a Largo Plazo de los parques y terreno de recreación de Austin, de sus facilidades y programas. Presentaremos un borrador del pan al público en las dos reuniones de julio y en eventos improvisos “pop up” en toda la ciudad. El plan a largo plazo es para guiar el desarrollo y expansión del sistema de parques en Austin.

The Future of Downtown Parks: Austin's Urban Greenbelt
2018-10-31 11:30 - 13:30 | The Sunset Room, 310 E 3rd St, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
From the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department –
Downtown’s parks are in the midst of a revival. Never before have so many organizations been part of the movement to enhance existing parks and create new public spaces. Join us for a picnic-style lunch while we learn about the future of downtown’s parks, including the latest updates from Waller Creek Conservancy, The Trail Foundation, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Brush Square, Downtown Austin Alliance for Republic Square and more!
Come hear what’s on the horizon for creating welcoming public spaces downtown. Hosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance and Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

Roots and Wings Festival
2018-10-27 09:00 - 14:00 | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX, 78746, United States
From the Austin Parks Foundation, Austin Nature In The City, Zilker Botanical Garden, TreeFolks, Austin Parks and Recreation Department –
Celebrating trees, pollinators, and all creatures!
On Halloween weekend, we invite you to explore the outdoors, get your face painted, and celebrate in your best nature-themed costume!
The Roots & Wings Festival is a combined community-wide celebration for Arbor Day and Monarch Appreciation Day. This day of nature play and art just needs you! Come in costume or visit the costume creation station as we fill Zilker Botanical Garden with butterflies, bugs, and faeries. Let nature be your inspiration!
Roots & Wings Festival
Saturday, October 27th, 2018
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Zilker Botanical Garden (and parks across the city!)
Family Friendly Fun:
• Opening Ceremony – Mechica Dance Group (9:20 am)
• Butterfly tag and release station
• Kid’s tree climb with City of Austin arborists! First come, first served.
• Storytelling and the Singing Zoologist
• Costume creation station
• Nature play and nature crafts
• Guided nature walks through Zilker Botanical Garden
• Food truck (or bring your own picnic!)
• Costume parade through the park (1:30 pm)
Arrive early for the opening ceremony by the Mechica Dance Group performing a Butterfly Ceremony (9:20) and stay till the end. The event closes with a costume parade through the Oak Grove and out into the garden for a final butterfly release. Then stick around after the celebration and spend some time exploring the beauty of the Zilker Botanical Garden. The event ends at 2:00 pm, but the garden will be open till 5:30 pm.
Zilker Botanical Garden Entrance Fees:
• $1 for kids under 12 and seniors 62 and over
• $2 for adults, Austin resident
• $3 for adults, non-residents of Austin
* We are not able to process credit cards at the gate. Please have cash available. We apologize for any inconvenience. *
Getting There:
Go Green!
We encourage carpooling, ridesharing, and use of mass transit. Check out http://smarttripsaustin.org/ for transportation alternatives and like Smart Trips Austin for more.
Use code “Roots&Wings” for $5 off your Ride Austin trip to this event! Bike and scooter share discounts are also available through Smart Trips Austin!
Accessible Parking
Spaces will be designated for those who need accessible parking. Enter through the main Zilker Botanical Garden gate from Barton Springs Road for these spaces.
Free Parking
The Stratford Drive Parking Area is a gravel lot located under and adjacent to the Mopac Bridge. Attendees should enter the Zilker Botanical Garden through the Hartman Gate (also known as the Rose Gate) located at 2300 Stratford Drive. Space is limited.
Volunteer
Get behind the scenes access and help support the Roots & Wings Festival by volunteering! Learn more and sign up at https://bit.ly/2NGTn2v
Can’t make it to Zilker?
There will also be pop up events occurring throughout the city. Check out Roots & Wings events at the locations below:
• Patterson Park in East/Central Austin
Roots & Wings Pop Up: Patterson Park
• Dittmar Park in Southwest Austin
Roots & Wings Pop Up: Dittmar Park
• Alderbrook Park in North Austin
Roots & Wings Pop Up: Alderbrook Park!
• Brentwood Park in North Austin
Roots and Wings Festival: Brentwood Park
The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities, please call (512) 974-3914.

Pomerlau Pocket Park Master Plan Public Meeting #1
2018-09-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Drive, Austin, TX, 78723, United States
From the Austin Parks Foundation and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department –
Austin Parks Foundation, the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department, and Friends of Pomerleau Park are holding the first public input meeting for the future Master Plan of Earl J. Pomerleau Pocket Park.
Overall park conditions will be discussed, and the community can weigh in on park amenities that you would like to see. Join us and help shape the future of this community gem!
Visit the project webpage for more information: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/earl-j-pomerleau-pocket-park-master-plan.

Keep Austin Playing
2018-06-30 10:00 - 15:00 | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, 78704, United States
From the Austin Parks Foundation and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department –
Keep Austin Playing is a free, citywide, interactive play date for kids!
Join us at Palmer Events Center on Saturday, June 30 from 10AM – 3PM for tons of fun games and activities.
Highlights
========
– Rock climbing walls
– Inflatable slides
– Obstacle course
– Human foosball
– Face painting
– And more!
Giveaways
========
Enter to win a bicycle, Apple Watch, Round Rock Express tickets, a hoverboard, and other awesome prizes!

Tree Climbing 101
2018-06-22 09:00 - 18:00 | Emma Long Park, 1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX, 78730, United States
From the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Austin Urban Forestry Program –
New to tree climbing? Come get hands-on practice in a small class setting alongside certified arborists from Austin’s Urban Forestry Program. Learn about safety, knot tying, setting ropes, gear selection, basic ascending techniques, and much more.

This is a FREE class! All ascending and safety equipment will be supplied by the City of Austin.
ACCEPTING 15 STUDENTS PER CLASS ONLY, aged 18 and older. Preference will be given to those who have taken Arborist Prep or Urban Forest Stewards, however ALL are invited to apply.
Climbing is hard! This class will be rigorous. You will be expected to be able to pull your body weight and partake in strenuous physical activity for several hours. Please take your own physical limitations into consideration when signing up for this class.
Please include an active email account that you check regularly in your registration so that you can receive pertinent information about class details, rain day information, and a syllabus.
Email amanda.hancock@austintexas.gov for additional questions

Register Now! Use Password: [REDACTED]
Presented by the City of Austin Urban Forestry Program.

Tree Climbing 101
2018-05-11 09:00 - 18:00 | Emma Long Park, 1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX, 78730, United States
From the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Austin Urban Forestry Program-
New to tree climbing? Come get hands-on practice in a small class setting alongside certified arborists from Austin’s Urban Forestry Program. Learn about safety, knot tying, setting ropes, gear selection, basic ascending techniques, and much more.

This is a FREE class! All ascending and safety equipment will be supplied by the City of Austin.
ACCEPTING 15 STUDENTS PER CLASS ONLY, aged 18 and older. Preference will be given to those who have taken Arborist Prep or Urban Forest Stewards, however ALL are invited to apply.
Climbing is hard! This class will be rigorous. You will be expected to be able to pull your body weight and partake in strenuous physical activity for several hours. Please take your own physical limitations into consideration when signing up for this class.
Please include an active email account that you check regularly in your registration so that you can receive pertinent information about class details, rain day information, and a syllabus.
Email amanda.hancock@austintexas.gov for additional questions

Register Now! Use Password: [REDACTED]
Presented by the City of Austin Urban Forestry Program.

Seaholm Waterfront, 3rd Public Input
2017-12-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Seaholm Intake Building, 801 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX, 78701, United States
From the Austin Parks Foundation, the Trail Foundation, and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department –
Austin Parks Foundation (APF) and The Trail Foundation (TTF), in partnership with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), invite Austinites to the third and final open house for the Seaholm Waterfront Programming and Implementation Study. The event will take place on Saturday, December 2, from 9am to 11am at the Seaholm Intake Structure, 801 W. Cesar Chavez St.
The community will see ideas for how the three-acre Seaholm Waterfront can better serve park and trail users through trail enhancements, riparian restoration, and water quality improvements. Boards on site will also display design and programming ideas for the adaptive use of the historic Seaholm Intake Structure, which will be transformed into a civic and public facility for Austin residents and visitors. Participants are encouraged to use public transportation, but a parking garage is located at the Austin Central Library across the street.
The presentation material will also be available through the website and community members can provide feedback and responses online through December 17. The planning team will review and incorporate feedback from the community and finalize the recommendations. The Seaholm Waterfront Programming and Implementation Study will then be presented to city boards, commissions and council in early 2018.
For more information or to sign-up for updates on the project, please visit www.seaholmwaterfront.org.

Zilker Park Free Day
2017-04-09 05:00 - 22:00 | Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX, 78704, United States
In celebration of Zilker Park’s 100th Anniversary, all amenities in Zilker Park will be FREE on Sunday, April 9th. From Barton Springs Pool to the Zilker Botanical Garden, UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum to the Zilker Zephyr, all of these and so much more, will be free for Austinites and visitors alike to enjoy all day long.
What is Free in Zilker Park on April 9th?
_Austin Nature and Science Center (always free)
_Barton Springs Pool
_Parking in Zilker
_Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
_Zilker Botanical Garden
_Zilker Zephyr
Special Events Just for Free Day:
_Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum – Family Day Activities (10am-4pm)
_Zilker Caretaker Cottage Ribbon Cutting and Zilker 100 Proclamation reading (9am)
_Debut of the Zilker 100 Sculpture on the Great Lawn near Rock Island
_Special programming at Austin Nature and Science Center
_Select Barton Springs restaurants will be giving 10% of sales from that day to Zilker 100. List of participating businesses coming soon!
Fuel up for Free Day! The following restaurants will be donating a percentage of the day’s sales to the Zilker Park 100 campaign, helping to fund future improvements to the playscape:
_ JuiceLand
_ Chuy’s
_ Juliet
_ Shady Grove Restaurant
_ SquareRüt Kava Bar
_ Sno-Beach Austin
_ Trudy’s Tex-Mex trailer will be giving out free waters per purchase for Free Day participants
Parking during Free Day will be LIMITED!
As a courtesy, we ask that in all you do, please be kind to the adjacent neighborhoods. Please do NOT park, block driveways or access paths or litter in the adjacent neighborhoods. In general, parking in non-designated areas (including medians and ditches) as well as blocking driveways and/or fire hydrants is prohibited, and you may be ticketed.
Free Day Transportation/Parking Options:
_Bus: There is a Cap Metro stop on Barton Springs, right in front of the park. Check out the Cap Metro Trip Planner and find out how to get there by bus!
_Bike: There is a BCycle Station right in front of the park, so if you’re coming from other parts of the city, take a BCycle and park at the park. Ride your own bike (you can use the City of Austin’s Trail Directory) and there are bike racks throughout the park for you to use.
_Ride Sharing: Have RideAustin or Fasten drop you off so you don’t have to park!
_Surface Parking in Park (free): On-site surface lots are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served and free
_ADA Parking: Parking for those with an appropriate handicapped parking permit or license plate is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
_Go Green: the City of Austin encourages carpooling and use of mass transit when attending all events.

Under the Springs
2016-03-16 11:00 - 14:00 | Austin Splash-Aquifer Exhibit, 2201 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX, 78746, United States
From the Colorado River Alliance –
Free Family Event
-Meet a mermaid
-Eliza Spring Tour at noon
-Colorado River Alliance’s Mobile River
-New Splash! Exhibit, One Square Foot of Barton Springs
–#creeklove photo booth
-kid friendly activities
Hosted by: The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, Colorado River Alliance
