Advocate for the parks
Our Advocacy Efforts &
What You Can Do to Help
Please write to your council member and let them know that you support the current parkland dedication ordinance as approved by council in 2016.
We're pushing for decision makers to make no changes to the Parkland Dedication Ordinance in the new land development code! Here's where we stand:
Austin's Parks Need Your Help!
Write Your City Council Member, Help Austin's Park System
There is perhaps no policy issue more important to the future of the City of Austin than the revision of the Land Development Code. Austin Parks Foundation and our partners are emphasizing the critical role it plays in realizing the promise of our parks system.
First and foremost, we are urging the Mayor and City Council to do no harm. The current parkland dedication ordinance was adopted by City Council in 2016 following two years of stakeholder engagement, and represents the time and insight of both the environmental and development community. The ordinance as currently worded is working as intended, and should not be changed. Any changes will be a detriment to our parks system.
Understanding What Our Parks Need
Austin has an amazing parks system. We have 300+ parks, 227 miles of trails and more than 20,000 acres of green space. Our parklands provide vital green space and wildlife habitat, and keep our environment healthy. Parks and trails also have tremendous economic, health, ecological and educational benefits. Unfortunately, annual investments in Austin parks are not keeping pace with the needs of our growing city.
Austin currently spends $108 per resident on maintenance and enhancements, while the top 10 ranked cities on ParkScore spend $208 per resident. Repairs and renovations to aging park infrastructure are desperately needed. You can help us advocate for more funding to take care of these cherished public spaces!
While Austin appears at the top of almost every “best of” list, ParkScore - by the Trust for Public Land - ranked Austin 43 out of the 100 most populous U.S. cities for how well we meet our residents’ needs for parks. That’s why we need YOU to speak up for Austin’s cherished public spaces.
Stay in the Loop: Latest Advocacy News
Austin Park Foundation's Policy Platform
Austin Parks Foundation's advocacy efforts and what we ask of City Council are guided by a few key policy principles. Feel free to use this platform when creating your own communications to city council and letting them know why parks funding is a priority to you. Read more here.
Quick Links:
Connecting with Council
Your council members want to hear from you! Learn more about how to connect with them, the most effective way to get your point across, and what to say in our connect with your council member blog.
A list of each council member’s official social media channels, their emails and their office addresses, are linked below.
Mayor Steve Adler
512-978-2100
Facebook | Twitter
D1 – Natasha Harper-Madison
512-978-2101
Facebook | Twitter
D2 – Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza
512-978-2102
Facebook | Twitter
D3 – Sabino "Pio" Renteria
512-978-2103
Facebook | Twitter
D4 – Gregorio "Greg" Casar
512-978-2104
Facebook | Twitter
D5 – Ann Kitchen
512-978-2105
Facebook | Twitter
D6 – Jimmy Flannigan
512-978-2106
Facebook | Twitter
D7 – Leslie Pool
512-978-2107
Facebook | Twitter
D8 – Paige Ellis
512-978-2108
Facebook | Twitter
D9 – Kathie Tovo
512-978-2109
Facebook | Twitter
D10 – Alison Alter
512-978-2110
Facebook | Twitter