austin's parks rank 45 of 100 largest U.S. cities

Austin Ranks #45 in ParkScore Report, Falling 8 Spots from 2020

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The Trust for Public Land (TPL), the national organization responsible for assessing and ranking parks in America’s 100 largest cities, released its annual ParkScore rankings. The rankings are based on the five qualities that make park systems great: park access, acreage, amenities like playgrounds and basketball courts, funding to create new parks and maintain and improve existing ones, and, new …

S2E5 Mental Health: A Conversation with Amber Jekot from Ecotherapy Austin

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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 …

S2E4 Natural Fit: Our Conversation with Brian Carter from Capital Metro

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In this episode of the Austin ParksCast, we talked with Brian Carter, CXO of Capital Metro, about our partnership! We chat about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected public transportation, our Fitness in the Park series, the Zilker Eagle, the best taco in Austin, and more. Music & transitions provided by Honey Son. Check out his music on Spotify and YouTube! The Austin ParksCast is a production of Austin …

neighbors experiencing homelessness on parkland

Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness and Sanctioned Encampments on Parkland

AustinParksFoundationBlog Page, News Coverage, Park Advocacy, Press Release

Our neighbors experiencing homelessness are exactly that – our neighbors. We at Austin Parks Foundation want to see humane shelter be made available to these vulnerable individuals and that they be able to access the care and services they desperately need and deserve. We know the city is facing a monumental task in finding solutions to house our neighbors and …

S2E3 Mental Health: Finding Mindfulness and Meaning Through Nature-based Experiences

AustinParksFoundationAustin ParksCast, Blog Page, Zilker Train

In a two-episode series, we’re highlighting the work of individuals that connect people to the healing qualities of nature and the outdoors. Today we’re excited to bring you part one featuring a conversation with Aliya Rose, Jacob Fisher, and Timea Chemez!With incredibly diverse skill sets, these three are regenerative culture and land advocates who offer eco and equine therapeutic experiences …

S2E2 Summit Sidebars: A Conversation with Outdoor Rep!

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Introducing Summit Sidebars: in-depth conversations with people and organizations dedicated to making parks and the outdoors more accessible. These audio-only episodes are Austin ParksCast exclusives, so be sure to listen today! At Austin Parks Foundation, we love highlighting the work of other organizations committed to promoting access, inclusivity and diversity in the outdoors. Our guests today are the founders of …

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A Natural Fit: Academy Sports + Outdoors & Austin Parks Foundation

AustinParksFoundationBlog Page, Featured Top LPs, Fitness in the Park, Sponsors

From our beautiful parks, trails and green spaces to our great weather year-round, Austin is a haven for outdoor activities. Academy Sports + Outdoors is dedicated to helping Austinites enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. They put their money where their mouth is by supporting our work to improve parks across Austin with their year-round sponsorship of Austin Parks Foundation. …

S2E1 Open Outdoors: CCCN and Equitable Park Access for Kids

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In Austin, the city and community partners are collaborating to ensure that all of Austin’s children, regardless of race or income, have abundant access to nature’s proven benefits. During this session, you’ll learn how Austin’s Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) collaborative’s data-driven approach brings together city departments, Austin ISD, and multiple non-profit and community-based partners to improve children’s health …

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Calling Local Artists: Design a Mural Under for the Zilker Eagle

AustinParksFoundationArt in the Parks, Blog Page, Park Development, Park Top LPs Featured

Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is excited to announce that developments to revitalize the Zilker Train are well underway with the anticipated reopening in the fall of 2021. The tunnel under the Barton Springs Road Bridge will be receiving an update along with the track, depot, and other features. APF has just released its Request for Proposal (RFP) for artists to …

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A Fresh Look at Our 2020 Commitments to Inclusion in Our Programs

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In 2020 we made a commitment to move deeper into justice, equity and inclusion through our programming. Now, with 2020 behind us, we wanted to give you an update on the ways we have succeeded – and failed – to follow through on those commitments. Below are some of the ways we have tried to infuse our value of inclusivity …