Exploring the Impact of HB 1526 on Parkland Dedication and Austin’s Parks

Susan SeleskyAPF News, Park Advocacy, Park Development, Blog Page, Advocacy

Updated November 6, 2023. Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 1526 into law on June 10, 2023. Going into effect on January 1, 2024, this new law will dictate how local parkland dedication ordinances can be used in Texas cities with populations over 800,000 (Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth and Dallas). This bill has effectively gutted Parkland Dedication.  What happens …

Vote FOR Travis County Props A and B, and State of Texas Prop 14

Austin Parks Foundation’s Guide to Voting YES for Texas Parks this Fall

Susan SeleskySupport Our Parks, Featured - Nav (Our Work), Featured - Nav (Fund Your Park), 
People + Parks
, APF News, All Parks, Park Advocacy, Blog Page, Advocacy

Early voting has begun in Texas and there are three measures on the ballot critical for funding parks in Travis County and across the state of Texas. Austin Parks Foundation is proud to endorse both Travis County bond proposals, as well as the proposed Prop 14 amendment to the state constitution. These measures will provide much needed support for not …

Better Together: A New Partnership to Cultivate the Future of Zilker Park

AustinParksFoundationAPF News, Park Advocacy, Featured Top LPs, Park Top LPs Featured, Blog Page, Zilker Train, Advocacy

Austin Parks Foundation and Barton Springs Conservancy received a grant from Austin Together to go through a facilitated process with 17 groups that operate and offer programming in Zilker Metropolitan Park to figure out how we can better work together. These groups collectively offer so many resources and experiences to Zilker Park’s visitors! Some of the partner organizations include the …

Introducing Joy Casnovsky: APF’s New Chief Mission Officer!

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Austin Parks Foundation is thrilled to introduce our new Chief Mission Officer, Joy Casnovsky! She is a native Austinite that has always been drawn to the public service and non-profit sectors. Read below to learn more about her work experience and what drew her to APF. In her most recent role, Joy served as Deputy Director of Sustainable Food Center …

Take Action: Comment on the Mopac South Project’s Impacts to Zilker Park

AustinParksFoundationFeatured Projects (Home Page), APF News, Central Austin Parks (Featured), Park Advocacy, Blog Page, Advocacy

The virtual open house for work along Mopac South is happening between now and January 7th. This looks to be the only opportunity for public comment before Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) reveals their preferred alternative sometime in 2022. The project goes through Zilker Park, and there is potential for CTRMA to pay for parking in Zilker Park by …

Zilker Park Vision Plan: Shape the Future Development of Austin’s Favorite Park

AustinParksFoundationPark Advocacy, Blog Page, Advocacy

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 …

Austin’s New City Budget Passes Including Over $4 Million for Parks

AustinParksFoundationAdvocacy, Park Advocacy, Blog Page

Great news! The Austin City Council recently approved a new city budget, a process that occurs each Summer. Thanks to advocacy by Austin Parks Foundation and a coalition of parks advocates and organizations, the new budget includes over 4 million dollars ($4,311,949) in NEW funding directed at our city’s parks! We’re thrilled for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) …

2021 City Budget Season: Help Us Advocate for Increased Parks Funding

AustinParksFoundationPark Advocacy, City Budget, Support Our Parks, APF News, Park Development, Featured Top LPs, Blog Page, Parks Equity, Advocacy

Each year during the City of Austin’s budgeting process, Austin Parks Foundation works to ensure our cherished green spaces get the funding they deserve. In partnership with park advocates, volunteers and other green space organizations we have proven that when we speak up for our parks as a collective, City Council listens! This year, we are asking for $6,900,000 in …

Pride Outside

Pride OutsideNational + Austin PrideThough nationally we celebrate Pride month in June, here in Austin the Pride Parade and Festival are held in August! That’s why Austin Parks Foundation is stretching our official celebration of #PrideOutside from June through August!  This summer, we’re sharing resources and events to help show your pride and support for the Austin LGBTQIA+ community. Join …

neighbors experiencing homelessness on parkland

Neighbors Experiencing Homelessness and Sanctioned Encampments on Parkland

AustinParksFoundationPress Release, News Coverage, Park Advocacy, Blog Page

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 …