As the weather starts to get cooler and leaves start to fall each year, there are so many things to do in and around Austin! We gathered these activities to help you and your little ones have some nature-themed fun this Fall and Winter! To quash any weekend boredom, check out our list of crafts and events we compiled just …
Good To See You Again: Thousands of Volunteers Help Local Parks During It’s My Park Day
It was wonderful to see thousands of smiling faces helping their local parks, trails and green spaces on Saturday, November 6th! After an all-virtual event in Fall 2020 and a hybrid event in Spring 2021, over 2,230 volunteers participated at 75 in-person projects and virtually across Austin. From trash clean up events to building community gardens, volunteers provided our parks …
S2E16 Día de los Muertos: A Conversation with Laura Esparza from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Did you know the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is also responsible for some of our historic cemeteries, museums and cultural centers? In today’s episode, Kathleen will talk with Laura Esparza, the Division Manager of the Museums and Cultural Programs Division for PARD. Laura will tell us about some colorful history, details about important events around town, and a few ways …
Protect Parkland – Urge City Council to VOTE NO on Item 20 on 10/21
A crucial item is on the October 21st city council meeting agenda. ITEM 20 is asking city council members to vote on whether the current Parkland Dedication (PLD) fee structure should be revisited. This could be a huge loss for Austin’s parks, trails and green spaces! Austin’s Parkland Dedication Ordinance requires new real estate developments to set aside a certain …
S2E15 Stay Golden: Conversations with Two of APF’s Golden Shovel Award Winners
In today’s episode, you’ll hear interviews with two of our Golden Shovel award winners: Chuck Foster (Park Adopter at Springwoods Park) and Andrea Harrington (Friends of Little Walnut Creek Greenbelt). Each year, these awards are given to people and organizations that have made a big impact on Austin’s parks. We recognize our winners at Party for the Parks, our biggest …
S2E14 Premiere Parknership: A Conversation with C3 Presents COO Emmett Beliveau
In today’s episode, Austin Parks Foundation’s CEO Colin Wallis talks with Emmett Beliveau, the Chief Operating Officer of C3 Presents. In case you didn’t know, C3 creates, markets and produces live experiences, concerts, and events across the globe. This includes world-renowned music festivals like Austin’s own ACL Music Festival, Lollapalooza in Chicago, Bonnaroo in Tennessee and many more. For over …
Project Playback: The Long-Awaited Alliance Children’s Garden Now Open
Park History Michael Butler Park has been a fixture of Austin’s green spaces for the past 20 years. With all kinds of activities for Austinites to enjoy and Austin’s stunning skyline as a backdrop, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy the outdoors right in the center of our city. In November 1998, the City of Austin enforced a motor vehicle …
S2E13 High Quality Living: A Conversation with 3 of Austin’s Quality of Life Commission Chairs
Today we are excited to bring you a conversation with the Chairs of three City of Austin Quality of Life Commissions, with a focus on how parks, trails, green spaces, and public places impact Austinites’ quality of life. We hope you’ll learn about the role these commissions play in learning from, engaging with, and advocating for Austin’s diverse communities. Our …
Take a Swing at These Playgrounds: 8 Awesome Playscapes in Austin
Are your kids getting restless with their long days back at school? Need to release all those wiggles? We’ve put together a list of eight of our favorite playscapes in Austin, TX! While there are many awesome playgrounds in our city, our ACL Music Festival Grants Program helped to make the projects below possible. Looking to make a difference in …
Zilker Park Vision Plan: Shape the Future Development of Austin’s Favorite Park
Zilker Park is one of the best known and most visited parks in Austin, yet has remarkably never had a comprehensive vision plan. The Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan is now underway to plan for the future of the park’s 350 acres, and we need you to share your thoughts and opinions about what you’d like to see in the …










