Austin Parks Foundation is excited to announce that we are a recipient of a Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, funded by General Motors, to improve Parque Zaragoza. As part of the grant, Project for Public Spaces and Austin Parks Foundation are teaming up with the City of Austin’s Park and Recreation Department, Ride Bikes Austin and the …
Old Lampasas Dam Open Workdays
This month we have TWO Open Workday events (2/3 and 2/9) – and they’re both taking place along Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt near the Old Lampasas Dam Trail. If you haven’t heard, the City of Austin’s Old Lampasas Dam Modernization Project is in full swing. This project aims to replace the damaged primary outlet, improve the dam spillway, and modify …
Remembering Mike Valescu
This week, we remember APF super volunteer Mike Valescu, whose tireless work, alongside Malcom Yeatts, made Austin’s outdoor spaces better for all. Mike was a dedicated volunteer with groups like Keep Austin Beautiful, Central Area Master Naturalists, Austin Parks Foundation and TreeFolks, and was unmatched in his commitment to our community and our environment. The greenspace and trail along Country …
Keep your New Year’s Resolutions in Austin’s Parks
Do more in 2024! We’re hitting the parks with all new opportunities to explore (and keep up those New Year’s resolutions). Maybe you resolve to get your heart rate up, try a new hobby or spend more time offline with loved ones (two and four-legged alike). No matter how you want to spend your time this year, Austin’s parks have …
2023 ACL Music Festival Neighborhood Grant Awards
Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is pleased to announce our Fall 2023 ACL Music Festival Grant awards to parks across Austin! A total of $205,600 in grants will fund improvements and amenities identified by community members. Neighborhood Grants ($500 to $5000): Parque Zaragoza (78702, City Council District 3) $5,600 for shade tree installation around the playground Community Impact Grants ($5000 and …
Take a Hike!
The trees are changing, the temperature has dropped…it’s time to #TakeAHike! No, seriously, it’s #NationalTakeAHikeDay and we’ve got some great hikes here in Austin. Below are six hikes that APF staff members have recommended – are you ready to hit the trail? St. Edward’s Greenbelt This hidden gem in Northwest Austin is the perfect destination for hikers and trail runners alike …
Pickleball: What’s the big dill?
Today is kind of a big dill: It’s #NationalPickleDay! At APF, we’re celebrating the holiday with a healthy debate over which pickles are the best – some say Bubbies while others say Claussen. But we can all agree on one thing: pickles are good. While you ponder your personal pickle pick, we hope you’ll enjoy this pickle-adjacent topic: pickleball! As …
It’s My Park Day Fall 2023 Recap
Com·mu·ni·ty nounA group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. It’s My Park Day: As we reflect on the 20th anniversary of It’s My Park Day, this word – community – rises to the top of the conversation. Everywhere you looked on Saturday, November 4th, there was a ‘Volunteer Here’ sign–93 to be …
20 Years of It’s My Park Day: Project Leaders
We’re celebrating 20 years of It’s My Park Day! This biannual event features 160+ projects and a few thousand volunteers. It’s remarkable to see how the community comes together to grow this event each year–and we are GRATEFUL! As we lead up to our 20th Anniversary event on November 4, we want to highlight project leaders who continually make a …
Party for the Parks Recap
Nine years. It’s hard to believe that’s how long we’ve been Partying for the Parks! We just wrapped up our ninth annual event, and WOW! Austin, you showed up in support of our parks. If you don’t know, Party for the Parks is APF’s largest annual fundraiser. Each year, this event takes place on ACL Music Festival grounds in between …