By Elizabeth McGuire For the last 337 days, Austin’s green spaces have been cleaner than ever before. That’s because Julie Sondecker, creator of Instagram’s @365DaysofHiking, has been picking up trash in parks and on trails every single day since May 30, 2017. During her daily outings, she fills her signature blue mesh bag, artfully arranges the trash in a beautiful …
Every five to six years, Austin voters have been asked whether or not they will approve the city to issue general obligation bonds. These bonds fund capital improvement projects in areas such as parks & open space, cultural centers & museums, libraries, fire & police stations, affordable housing, stormwater infrastructure and transportation. The Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) is …
By Elizabeth McGuire Chuck Foster grew up doing community service alongside his family and was encouraged at an early age to take on leadership positions whenever possible. No matter what. “My mom taught us that regardless of what state you’re in—money or no money—you give back to the community,” he said. That message stuck with him, and as it turns …
By Elizabeth McGuire When the Statesman Capitol 10,000 weaves through Austin for its 41st annual race on April 8th, race director Jeff Simecek will have “every job and no job.” He will be at the start and the finish, and of course communicating with his team throughout, but by the time the gun goes off, much of his work has …
By Elizabeth McGuire Big changes are happening to a small park in southeast Austin, thanks to a handful of persistent community members. Houston School Park, which is adjacent to Josephine Houston Elementary, was recently awarded a $100,000 APF Impact Grant to build a multi-purpose pavilion that will serve both the school and its surrounding neighborhood. Spearheaded by park adopter and …
APF is a proud to have been selected as again an official charity partner of the 2018 Austin Marathon! That means we need YOU to run with us and help us cross our fundraising finish line. Our goal is $10,000 and we hope you’ll join us in supporting our parks trails and green spaces. Whether you join us for the …
Austin Parks and Recreation currently needs $700 million to repair and renovate parks City of Austin budget hearings are approaching, and APF needs help telling City Council that the parks are in need. According to ParkScore, Austin is ranked #46 and currently spends $103 per resident, while cities in the top ten spend an average of $208. Austinites have enjoyed …
By Elizabeth McGuire In one of the oldest neighborhoods in Austin, a team of stewards is working to preserve their park and to inspire others to follow suit in their own neighborhoods. Three leaders of Friends of Shipe Park—Jill Nokes, Alison Young and Mark Fishman—have worked with Austin Parks Foundation and countless volunteers to keep Shipe a vibrant, healthy, resilient …
By Elizabeth McGuire Steps away from an elementary school, whose mission is to encourage big dreams and possibilities, resides a park that once fell far short of its own potential. But not anymore. Thanks to a tireless group of neighborhood volunteers, Odom School Park in South Austin has seen nearly $45,000 worth of improvements in the last three years — …
Austin Parks Amass $700M in Deferred Maintenance See the original story and video at Spectrum News AUSTIN, Texas–Park managers say they have $700 million worth of deferred maintenance, and some park advocates say that’s a fraction of the city’s needs. “When you look at all the rec centers, the parks, the aging infrastructure and the pools, I think that number …
