Austin Parks Foundation at a Glance – Adopt-A-Park

Taylor WisemanPeople + Parks, Parks, Support Our Parks, APF News, Blog Page

Earlier this year we shared an overview of programming, projects and work that Austin Parks Foundation is committed to each year. As we continue to share our mission, we want to dive deeper into these aspects and provide as much information as possible to help you enjoy our parks, trails and green spaces!

With Austin’s nearly 400 parks, trails and green spaces, it’s challenging to ensure that each space gets the attention it deserves. This is where our Adopt-A-Park program comes in.

The goal of our Adopt-A-Park program is to build community pride and ownership around every neighborhood park in Austin. The success of our parks system depends on the support, assistance, advocacy and enthusiasm of the public in protecting our beloved green spaces. 

In collaboration with Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), APF’s Adopt-A-Park program helps citizens like YOU become those stewards for your neighborhood parks!

Adopt-A-Park Helps Build Community

The notion of adopting a park may sound like a tall task – don’t worry; you won’t be going it alone! APF and PARD will help you to become community representatives for the park. 

It all starts with building community around your park! 

Park Adopters often organize volunteer events to make park improvements through events like It’s My Park Day and ongoing work days year-round. But more importantly, Park Adopters play a huge role in community building simply by encouraging others to enjoy their local parks!  

One of our Park Adopters, Jennifer Potter-Miller with Friends of Patterson Park, on why she joined the Adopt-A-Park program, “I wanted my family to have long-term relationships and connections with our neighbors – to be part of a true community.” 

How Does APF Support Adopt-A-Park Groups?

APF provides resources to our Park Adopters, like access to our tool warehouse, volunteer project and park activation leadership support, educational opportunities like our Adopt-A-Park Summit and access to park funding opportunities like ACL Music Festival Grants and APF Design Services

“I am so incredibly grateful for the amazing dedication to our parks by Park Adopters! Parks tie our city together, and without the continued support of these Adopters our parks are susceptible to deterioration. We have an amazing resource in these parks, and we at APF are extremely thankful for all our Park Adopter community that continue to pour their time and energy into them. We know it’s not always easy, which makes your work all that more incredible. Thank you so much for all the love you’ve given to our parks!”

Which Parks are available to adopt?

Currently 110 parks are adopted, leaving 110 parks still available to adopt. For information on adoptable parks, contact our Programs & Projects team.