A LETTER FROM OUR CEO
Dear Friends,
One of the most important parts of Austin Parks Foundation’s mission is our focus on creating access to exceptional public parks and green spaces for all Austinites.
In 2018, we allocated more than $1 million to parks in historically underserved communities, building new amenities and improving park infrastructure, ultimately giving more people access to better parks, improving the quality of life and health of our city.
We launched our Park Design Services, giving Park Adopters access to professional design services, a first step in making their park improvements a reality. We introduced our new APF website, making it easier for the public to utilize our parks database to find location data and amenity information about the 300+ parks in Austin, getting more people access to our parks.
We created bilingual videos and materials for It’s My Park Day, giving more people access to the information they need to lead and volunteer at projects across the city. We gave out more than $450,000 in grants to communities all across the city, empowering neighborhood groups and funding their efforts to be active stewards of their parks.
We worked tirelessly at City Hall, helping double the city’s bond package and securing $230.5 million for improvements, renovations and upgrades to various Parks and Recreation assets, as well as for the acquisition of new parkland.
Through all of this work, and so much more, we have connected with communities and heard time and time again how important parks are to people’s daily lives. Access to quality parks is improving physical and mental health, and social connection, in communities all across Austin. We’re proud to help make it possible, and we’re glad to have you as part of it.
With sincere thanks,
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2018 Board Officers
Chair
Margaret Menicucci
Vice Chair
Ford Alexander
Treasurer
Anna Stepan
Secretary
Stuart Laves
Board Members
Barbara Austin
Bryan Barksdale
Laura Cortez
Matthew Dow
Monica Fernandes
Rich Garza
Ryan Gravelle
Rashed Islam
Robyn Lewis
Jen Ohlson
Jennifer Potter-Miller
Max Rutherford
Greg Weaver
Doug Wolfe
NEIGHBORHOOD GRANTS
Neighborhood Grants are awarded for small-scale, community-initiated park improvement projects. Grants from $500 to $5,000 are awarded throughout the year with a grant period of 6 months. Learn more about our Neighborhood Grants Program here.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
As the anchor of our ACL Music Festival Grants Program, Community Grants are intended for large, community-initiated park improvement projects that fall between $5,000 to $50,000. Learn more about our Community Grants Program here.
2018 IMPACT GRANT
Georgian Acres Park
The Impact Grant is intended to support large, community-initiated, physical park improvement projects, as well as master plan implementations and place-making. One grant for $100,000 is awarded annually through a highly competitive process with a grant period of 24 months.
Our 2018 Impact Grantee was Georgian Acres Park. With this grant the neighborhood plans to turn an undeveloped piece of park land into a neighborhood gathering space in North East Austin.
SPECIAL SHORT-TERM PROJECTS
Pan Am Neighborhood Park
In partnership with ACL Music Festival, Austin Parks Foundation is completely replacing the playscape and re-imagining the layout of this historic park.
Investment: $500,000 | Timeline: Completed in Summer 2019
Pastor Edward Craig Jr. Neighborhood Park
Thanks to community involvement, Pastor Edward Craig Jr. Neighborhood Park, formerly Franklin Park, has transformed into a welcoming space where the neighborhood residents can get active. APF is proud to have funded a new fitness zone with outdoor exercise equipment, that connects with the walking trail. It's located adjacent to the playscape so parents can get in a good workout while keeping an eye on their kids.
Investment: $50,000 | Timeline: Completion by End of 2019
McBeth Recreation Center Ramp
McBeth Recreation Center in Zilker Park hosts programming for all abilities, but it was missing a crucial element - an ADA accessible ramp! With funding from APF, McBeth now has a brand new ramp, as well as an ADA tricycle trail!
Investment: $50,000 | Timeline: Completion by End of 2019
Graffiti Abatement in Parks
APF has provided support to the City of Austin's Graffiti Abatement Program to help remove unwanted graffiti from park facilities and amenities.
Investment: $25,000 | Timeline: ONGOING
Historic Parque Zaragoza
In 2018, APF funded the replacement of the playground in this East Austin park. As a Lone Star Legacy Park with updated amenities, Parque Zaragoza will now offer neighbors and visitors a great outdoor play experience and community meeting space.
Investment: $198,000 | Timeline: Completed in 2018
Nature & Science Center Trail
Funding from APF will provide lighting and trail improvements to the Austin Nature and Science Center, so children and visitors can safely access the center in early morning and evening hours.
Investment: $70,000 | Timeline: Completion by End of 2019
Elisabet Ney Grounds Improvements
The Elisabet Ney Museum is a cultural gem in the heart of central Austin. At this 2.5 acre site, APF has supported the ongoing effort to restore the historic native prairie landscape and grounds.
Investment: $15,000 | Timeline: Completion by End of 2019
Walter E . Long Prairie Restoration
Austin Parks Foundation is partnering with the Park Rangers' ongoing efforts to restore the native Blackland Prairie as part of the Indiangrass Restoration Project.
Investment: $20,000 | Timeline: Completion by End of 2019
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
Recycling in the Parks
In 2016, APF set out to study the challenges facing PARD and Austin Resource Recovery where recycling in parks was concerned. Now, the Recycling in Parks Initiative is increasing recycling availability in strategic areas and will expand to all parks in the coming years.
Investment: $50,000 | Timeline: ONGOING
John Treviño Jr. Metro Park Master Plan
This metro park in Southeast Austin, is largely undeveloped. However, APF invested $250k in a master plan which will ultimately lead to a beautiful public space. The master plan included the input of key stakeholders and community members.
Investment: $250,000 | Timeline: ONGOING
Seaholm Waterfront
The Seaholm Intake Facility and surrounding parkland have sat unused since the 1980s when the intake and power plant were officially decomissioned. In partnership with The Trail Foundation and PARD, APF funded a planning study to help envision the future of this waterfront park space. With the completed study, APF and TTF are working with the City of Austin Parks Department to initiate projects to make the building and waterfront parkland more accessible to the community.
Investment: $225,000 | Timeline: ONGOING
EastLink Trail
Our investment includes funds for planning and implementation of a series of proposed improvements to connect 4.7 miles of trails in Central East Austin – from Bartholomew Park to Lady Bird Lake – repairing old paths and building new ones for pedestrians and cyclists.
Investment: $250,000 | Timeline: ONGOING
Alliance Children's Garden
APF is proud to support PARD in the development of the Alliance Children's Garden, a brand new 2-acre multi-generational recreational and cultural space within Butler Park.
Investment: $50,000 in 2018 - More TBD in Subsequent Years | Timeline: Completion by End of 2019
Zilker Hillside Theater
Our investment in Zilker Hillside Theater helped make repairs to the stage as well as funded lighting and sound equipment. We're also proud to support programming at the theater to help their productions continue for years to come.
Investment: $75,000 | Timeline: Completed in 2018
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteerism is at the core of our mission and work, and is the strong foundation we were built on back in 1992. Every year thousands of dedicated volunteers make parks a priority with their time and effort. From our two city-wide It's My Park Day events, to our First Saturday projects, corporate volunteer days, and every project in between - we couldn't be more grateful for their hard work and dedication to getting the work done!
Volunteers
Park Projects
In Labor Costs Saved
IT'S MY PARK DAY
Our Bi-Annual, City-wide Day of Volunteering in Austin's Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
In Spring 2018, we had over 3,000 volunteers working on nearly 100 projects across town. And in Fall 2018 we had over 2,000 volunteers at nearly 85 projects. From free tacos to discounts on coffee, we were fortunate to partner with 62 local businesses who generously gave back to It's My Park Day volunteers.
These park lovers have invested significant labor hours into our parks saving our under-funded Parks & Recreation Department time and money!
Over the course of 2 days in the Spring and Fall, Austinites helped Austin Parks Foundation achieve these big numbers:
Community Partners
Park Projects
Cubic Yards of Mulch Spread
Volunteers
Labor Costs Saved
NEW INITIATIVES
2018 was a year of new beginnings. Below are just a few of the exciting new initiatives APF undertook in our 26th year.
FUNDRAISING
In 2018, Little Hummingbird Society was implemented to offer kids a great way to learn about giving back to their community and the importance of Austin’s parks. Click above to learn more!
In 2018, a founding group of visionary park lovers, dedicated to ensuring our park, trail and green space ecosystem is protected and preserved, came together to form our leadership giving society - Groundbreakers. Click above to learn more!
PROGRAMS
In order to fill the needs of our park adopters, Austin Parks Foundation's Landscape Architect began offering a 3-tiered Design Services Program in 2018. Click above to learn more!
The newest volunteer program brings some of our most dedicated supporters together to increase our reach. Ambassadors speak on APF's behalf and increase our ability to interface with our community. Click above to learn more!
OUR NEW HEADQUARTERS
The Center for Social Innovation
A Community Centered Around Impact
APF also got a new home in 2018! Complete with space for our tool warehouse, the new APF HQ is part of the Center for Social Innovation at Springdale General. Click below to learn more about our new home!
SUCCESS STORIES
McBeth Recreation Center: A Bright Spot for Austinites of Differing Abilities
McBeth Recreation Center: A Bright Spot for Austinites of Differing Abilities
APF Grants $250K Matching Grant to Norwood Estate
APF Grants $250K Matching Grant to Norwood Estate
Feeling Grateful for a Great Year for Austin’s Parks
Feeling Grateful for a Great Year for Austin’s Parks
Republic Square Named 2018 Best Public Place
Republic Square Named 2018 Best Public Place
FINANCIALS
BASED ON 2018 AUDITED FINANCIALS
80 PERCENT OF EVERY DOLLAR GIVEN TO APF GOES DIRECTLY TO PARK PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Austin Parks Foundation relies on the generosity of our donors and supporters. Without their commitment to our programs and projects, Austin's parks would be in even greater need. We are grateful to the many businesses and individuals who are making an investment in our community through our mission of people + parks.
CORPORATE, FOUNDATION AND ASSOCIATION SUPPORTERS
We are proud to acknowledge the organizations who have generously supported APF with donations of $500 or more in 2018.
