Today’s conversation focuses on how our city’s budget impacts public assets like our parks, trails and green spaces. What can we do to make sure the City of Austin budget reflects our values? Budgets are often described as “moral documents.” Investments in education, healthcare, parks and recreation and other social services can directly address social issues that our community is …
The Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan is a community-driven planning process to establish a guiding framework for the restoration and future development of Zilker Metropolitan Park. It is the first comprehensive planning initiative to encompass the park’s 350 acres and associated facilities. In today’s episode, we host the first of 3 conversations about the planning process of Austin’s oldest Metropolitan Park. We …
In this episode, we are so pleased to bring you a conversation with John Aquino, Community Engagement Co-Chair for the Human Rights Campaign’s Austin Chapter (HRC ATX). The Human Rights Campaign and HRC Foundation together serve as America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBTQ equality. “By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ …
Howdy, y’all! In today’s episode, we’ve got a super fun interview with Texas two-step instructor Beth Coffey! You can find Beth at The White Horse, the infamous East Austin honky tonk, on Thursday nights teaching Austinites and visitors alike the art of two-stepping. Beth is an 8th generation Texan, born and raised in San Angelo. She was brought up in a big …
In today’s episode, Grant interviews Tai Chi Master Vince Cobalis who was kind enough to be a part of our Fitness in the Park series! His class premieres Saturday, July 24th at 10 am on APF’s YouTube Channel, but you can watch it anytime at austinparks.org/fitness! Vince has practiced martial arts since 1968 and Tai Chi since 1981. He grew up in …
In this episode, we are excited to bring you a conversation with the Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas, Ricardo Martinez. Equality Texas is a non-profit advocacy organization, whose mission is to “secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.”We examine how parks, trails, and public spaces impact the quality …
In today’s episode, we’re taking you back to our Park Summit Series session from May! In 2020, community engagement in support of public projects was completely transformed by COVID-19. Organizations and consulting firms with meaningful community engagement as their primary mission had to pivot their approaches to meet public health challenges. Listen and learn how these groups maintained connections to …
In today’s episode, we interviewed local boxing instructor Ashley Bazan from Austin Women’s Boxing Club about her fitness journey! Ashley has won multiple local boxing championships and is passionate about teaching the art of boxing. She’s also our instructor for our virtual Boxing class airing Saturday, June 26th at 10 am. You can watch any of our previous Fitness in …
Grant invites Barry, Volunteer Manager at APF, to have a conversation with local artist Ken Rudolph! We talked about the design he created for our It’s My Park Day t-shirt as well as his involvement in the Pillars Project at Rosewood Park. Our conversation covers everything from his art business, Highly Favored Art, to the existence of aliens. Be sure to check …
Welcome to Part 2 of our Mental Health Awareness Month episodes! We’re highlighting the work of individuals that connect people to the healing qualities of nature and the outdoors during the month of May. Today we are excited to bring you a conversation with Amber Jekot. Amber is a deep lover of all things outdoors, a late-night gardener, and a …
