Grants for Neighborhood Parks and Trails
Austin Parks Foundation offers grants small and large to volunteer groups working to improve their neighborhood parks. Our grantees are dedicated, creative in the face of obstacles, and inclusive in building a sense of neighborhood ownership for their parks. “It’s inspiring to see the changes that a group of committed volunteers can make to a neighborhood park,” says McCabe. “We’re proud to be able to lend a hand.”
APF provides grant recipients administrative, technical, and organizational assistance. From 2001 to 2006, the program funded 57 projects totaling over $65,500 in project support, resulting in more than $315,000 in park improvements.
Gerald Bartholomew Memorial Grant for Mountain Bike Trail Projects
Austin Parks Foundation is now accepting applications for grants of up to $500 for improvements to Austin's mountain biking trails. Funds may be used for trail building supplies, benches, signage, etc. Request an application from rweaver@austinparks.org.
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Current Projects
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Maps of Recent Projects
Map showing parks receiving 2006 Austin Parks Foundation grants
Map showing parks receiving 2007 Austin Parks Foundation grants
Find the Right Grant for Your Park
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, Austin Parks Foundation grants can help! Every year, Austin Parks Foundation offers Austinites the chance to apply for grants to improve their neighborhood parks. Grantees are required to match the grant fund with volunteer labor, community fund raising, and in-kind donations.
Neighborhood Park Grants Program
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. This grant program is aimed at first-time project leaders - no experience required!
Austin Parks Foundation gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of Mrs. Nancy Bowman, founder of the Neighborhood Parks Grants program and the Shield-Ayres Foundation for making this year’s grants program possible.
Austin City Limits Music Festival Grants Fund
Austin Parks Foundation offers grants of $5,000 and up funded by ticket sales from Austin City Limits Music Festival. Grants are available for any project on City of Austin parkland. This grants program is an adjunct to our existing Neighborhood Park Grant program, which offers grants up to $5,000 for park improvement projects. Groups with fundraising and project management experience are encouraged to apply.
How To Apply
The next grant application deadlines is September 30, 2009. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed three times a year. Deadlines are January 30, May 30, and September 30. Please call the foundation at 477-1566 to receive an application.
Grants are for a one-year period. Applicants must attend a pre-application class. You can download more information. For complete information on requirements and restrictions, call 477-1566 and request an application.
We are happy to pre-read your application and make recommendations and/or meet you on site to help consult on appropriate projects.
Pre-Application Class Required
The next grant pre-application class will be August 12, 2009, from 6:30 - 8 PM. All applicants are required to attend our new pre-application class, to be held approximately 30 days prior to the next deadline, from 6:30 PM - 8 PM. If you would like to apply but can not attend, please call our office at 477-1566. PLEASE RSVP via email.
Grants are now being accepted three times a year. Deadlines are January 30, May 30, and September 30. You can download more information. Please call the foundation at 477-1566 to receive an application. Grants are for a one-year period. Applicants must attend a pre-application class. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed quarterly. For complete information on requirements and restrictions, call 477-1566 and request an Austin City Limits Music Festival grant application.
What Can I Apply For?
We fund tools, equipment rentals, materials, park furnishings and professional services. For project ideas, see the complete list of projects below! We do not fund programming, events, classes, food and drink, or projects on private property.
Summary of Past Grants
| Park | Organization | Year(s) | Project |
Adams-Hemphill Park |
North University Neighborhood Assn. | 2000 |
Installed trash cans, benches and landscaping, as part of an overall clean-up project for the park. |
| Alamo Park | 2000 | Community Recognition event | |
| Alamo Recreation Center | Alamo Recreation Center Advisory Board | 2002 | Purchased outdoor kiosk and bulletin board |
Bartholomew Park |
Windsor Park Neighborhood Assn. | 2002 2007 | Purchased new toddler play equipment installed in a shady area. Installed Chimney Swift tower and information sign. |
| Barton Creek Greenbelt | Barton Hills Neighborhood Assn. | 2003 | Improved trail entryways with crushed granite, new retaining walls, and invasives removal |
| Blackshear Community Gardens | 2007 | Paid expenses related to adding a water line | |
| Blunn Creek Nature Preserve | Travis High School | 2001 | Purchased plants and materials for nature education program |
| North Loop Neighborhood Planning Team | 2001 2003 |
Over three years, neighbors turned this overgrown triangle into a lovely gathering place. Native plants and trees were added, a walkway was constructed, and a hand-made sculptural sign installed. | |
| Civitan Park | Montopolis Friendship Center | 2007 | Replaced an unsafe toddler playground with new equipment |
| E. Cesar Chavez Leadership Team | 2000 | Constructed an artistic archway over the park entrance, decorated with tiles made by neighborhood residents | |
![]() Convict Hill Quarry Park |
Friends of Convict Hill Quarry Park | 2006 2007 | Built three stone benches and seeded wildflowers. In 2008, grant funds will help them erect a chimney swift tower, build a waterfall to control seepage, and extend a rock wall along the front of the park. |
![]() Copperfield Nature Trail |
Copperfield Nature Trail Group | 2007 | Improved entrance for community-built nature trail |
| Covert Park at Mount Bonnell | Congregational Church of Austin | 2004 | Litter removal and trail beautification |
| Deep Eddy Pool | Friends of Deep Eddy | 2002 | Helped fund architecture fees for bath house restoration project |
| Dottie Jordan Park | Dottie Jordan Advisory Board | 2000 | Planted a butterfly garden and built a picnic area |
![]() Duncan Park |
Khabele School | 2008 | A class of teens adopted the park for the school year. They added artwork and helped maintain this little-known downtown park. |
East-side parks |
Capital Area Tennis Assn. | 2000 | Funded rackets, balls and tennis lesson scholarships for 50 kids |
Eastwoods Park |
Eastwoods Neighborhood Assn. | 2002 | Restored historic stone wall |
![]() Eilers Park |
Friends of Eilers Park | 2007 | This park next to Deep Eddy Pool offers a beautiful view of the lake. Volunteers removed a huge tangle of invasive plants and added native landscaping to the park perimeters |
| Givens | Givens Advisory Board | 2001 | Nature education program |
| Givens, Dottie Jordan, Rosewood | Capital Area Tennis Assn. | 2000 | Purchased equipment and funded scholarships for youth tennis camp |
| Great Hills Park | Great Hills Park Committee | 2000 2001 2007 |
Added interpretive signs to nature trail. In 2001, built Chimney swift tower and planted native garden. In 2007, added a picnic pavilion. |
![]() Guerrero Colorado River Park |
Southeast Austin Trails and Greenways | 2006 | Built ADA accessible trail heads for Country Club Creek trail |
| Johnson Creek Hike & Bike | West Austin Neighborhood Group | 2000 | Restored stone windmill and built picnic area |
![]() Little Stacy Park / Blunn Creek |
South River City Citizens | 2007 2008 | Removed invasive trees and restored native plants along Blunn Creek |
| Mary Moore Searight | Waterloo Disc Golf Assn., South Austin Disc Assn., Friends of Mary Moore Searight | 2001 2005 2007 |
Added to disc golf course in 2001. In 2005, purchased five tee benches, mulched trails and improved erosion issues. In 2007, planted wildflowers |
![]() Mayfield Park |
Friends of the Park | 2006 | Trimmed and groomed trees for the formal gardens |
| Mayfield Preserve | Friends of Mayfield Preserve | 2009 | Removed invasive trees as part of a long-term ecological restoration project for the preserve |
| Nicholas Dawson Park | Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Assn. | 2001 2002 |
Installed granite path. Installed hose bib so neighbors can plant and water new landscaping. You can see the love lavished on this park by neighbors in the elaborate tiling and beautiful plantings. |
| North Star Greenbelt | Gracywoods Neighborhood Assn. | 2004 | Installed information kiosks, beautified park |
![]() Norwood Estate |
Friends of Norwood Estate | 2004 2005 |
Constructed double gated entry to dog park, laid sod, built protective tree barriers, created fenced puppy and small dog area |
| Oak View Park | Laurel Oaks Neighborhood Assn. | 2004 | Installed signs identifying trees and plants |
| Onion Creek Sports Complex (Springfield Trail) | S.E. Austin Walking Trail Restoration Committee | 2004 | Installed signage for trail from Onion Creek to McKinney Falls. Raised community awareness about fitness options |
Parque Zaragosa |
Zaragosa Advisory Board | 2000 2001 |
Held youth soccer clinics. Habitat and nature education program |
![]() Patterson Park |
Friends of Patterson Park (2002); Austin Public Skatepark Action Committee (2008) | 2002 |
Matching grant for major trail project. Skate spot construction grant. |
| Pease Park. | Waterloo Disc Golf Club | 2007 | Funded much needed new signage for disc golf tee boxes |
![]() Perry Park |
Highland Park W. Balcones Area Neighborhood Assn. | 2005 2007 | Installed benches, cleared invasive trees and plants, built nature trail. In 2007, added covered seating at tennis courts |
| Quail Creek Park | North Austin Civic Assn. | 2008 | nnovative exercise equipment has been added to the walking trail. The North Austin Civic Assn. has led fitness classes to introduce neighbors to the trail and equipment. |
| Ramsey Park | Boy Scout Troop #410 | 2003 | Added benches and picnic tables |
| Red Bud Isle | Friends of Red Bud Isle | 2008 | Rebuilt shoreline and added benches for off-leash area |
![]() Reed Park |
Friends of Reed Park | 2001 | Maintained live oaks to combat oak wilt and planted trees in honor of two neighborhood residents, Dudley Houghten and Robin Spear Bartone. |
| Ridge Oak Drive/Lakeview Drive | Highland Park/West Balcones Neighborhood Assn. | 2003 | Neighbors planted trees, installed large rocks to prevent vehicles from entering the park, and worked with PARD to have their water meter and hose bib repaired to allow watering. |
| Scofield Farms Park | Scofield Farms Home Owners Assn | 2002 2003 2005 |
Added a park bench and message board, planted wildflowers, purchased animal-resistant trash barrels |
| Ridgelea Neighborhood Assn. | 2000 2001 |
Constructed chimney swift tower and butterfly garden. Added bench, wildflowers and bat condos – providing a home for hundreds of bats. | |
| Shoal Creek Greenbelt (Brykerwoods Neighborhood) | Brykerwoods Neighborhood Assn. | 2000 | Held cleanup event |
| South Austin Recreation Center | Austin Lacrosse League | 2001 | Repaired South Austin Rec Center’s playing field, including installing an irrigation system |
| South Austin Rec. Center | South Austin Rec. Center Advisory Board | 2000 | Children and adults planted wheel-chair accessible garden for youth cooking program |
| St. John’s Pool | St. John’s Neighborhood Assn. | 2002 | Added picnic table |
| Statesman Swim Safe for Austin Kids | 2002 2003 |
Helped pay for swim instructors and lifeguards | |
![]() Veloway |
Hill Country Inline Club | 2008 | Grant will help build shaded seating area. |
| West Austin Park | Canine Social Club | 2007 | Terraced the off-leash area to prevent further erosion and protect the park’s beautiful shade trees. |
![]() Walnut Creek Bluffs |
Walnut Creek Neighborhood Assn. | 2002 |
Funded equipment rental for trail improvements. Helped the group define the entryway with a sign and a cedar fence. |
| Walnut Creek Metro Park | Austin Ridge Riders | 2007 | Designed and installed 100 trail signs to improve safety and increase usage of the park’s 15 miles of winding, unmarked trails. |
| Williamson Creek at Emerald Wood | Southwood Neighborhood Assn. | 2005 2007 | Installed the first seating in this undeveloped park. In 2007, planted butterfly garden. Added boulders and landscaping at the corner of the park, to beautify and create a safety barrier from the road. |
| Wooten Park | Wooten Neighborhood Assn. | 2004 | Planted 20 trees |
| Zilker Botanical Gardens | Austin Area Garden Council | 2009 | Helped fund major improvements to the Escarpment Trail that allow ADA access. |
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Adams-Hemphill Park
Bartholomew Park
Bruning Green



Eastwoods Park









