Austin Parks Foundation is awarding $76,520 to their 2021 fall community grantees to fund projects dedicated to enhancing Austin parks and outdoor community spaces! Each project will update, repair or install necessary facilities, and all hold a common goal of fostering equitable access to nature.
As the anchor of APF’s ACL Music Festival Grants Program, Community Grants are designed to support large, community-initiated improvement projects requiring between $5,000-$50,000 in funds. Over $3 million in grant funds have gone toward projects in every area of the city.
“We are honored to continue funding community-initiated projects through our grant program in a year where Austinites have turned to their parks for a sense of community and connection. By working with our partners at PARD, we were able to directly identify which spaces are in need of updates on standard amenities and ensure that those updates are made. We look forward to continuing to work with our community partners to deliver on our mission of providing support, access and engaging programming in parks across this city.”
The fall 2021 Community Grants total $76,520 and were divided between the three projects below, each funding specific community needs.
- Multiple School Parks Across Austin: $50,000 for the installation of updated standard amenities, to match a $50,000 contribution from the Parks and Recreation Department’s Capital Improvement Fund, for an overall $100,000 impact. These needs were identified through the work of Cities Connecting Children to Nature, a partnership of multiple City departments and community partners.
- MLK Station Park: $12,020 that will go toward repairs and improvements to the Sustainable Food Center's teaching and community gardens, an active centerpiece of the public park and Boggy Creek trail.
- Sanchez School Park: $14,500 for a new water fountain and seating to augment the nature play area being installed at the park in the coming months.
Community Grant applications are accepted April 30 and September 30 each year. APF is currently reviewing 2021 Impact Grant applications and will announce the recipient in December.
The Impact Grant is intended to support large, community-initiated, physical park improvement projects, as well as vision plan implementations and place-making. APF offers 1:1 grant planning and writing assistance, which interested applicants are encouraged to take advantage of by contacting grants@austinparks.org. To learn more and to apply, please visit austinparks.org/grants.
