Austinites have the option to contribute to the Parks & Libraries Fund through their city of Austin utility bill stub. You can easily add any dollar amount to your utility bill to make a donation supporting programming in our cherished parks and library system. Donations are considered tax-deductible to the extent that the law allows.
How will your Parks & Libraries donation be used by the Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD)?
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is grateful for the generous contributions Austinites have made in support of youth programming and the Planting for the Future Fund. The urban forest is replenished annually and more than 20 youth are provided an opportunity to attend summer camp for a portion of the summer because of generous donors.
It is the continued generosity of our citizenry that make Austin a wonderful place to live, work and play. -Kimberly M., Assistant Director of Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Scholarship Fund
PARD wants to ensure that all children have an opportunity to gather, learn and grown within our recreation programs. As such, part of the Parks & Libraries Fund will be used to subsidize fees associated with summer camp and after-school programs to ensure these programs are assessable to all Austin community members.
Planting for the Future Fund
Funding will also be used to replenish Austin’s urban forest with new tree plantings on public property. Trees help shade and cool their surroundings, which is especially important in urban areas, where temperatures can be several degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside (often called the “heat island effect”). By planting a diverse mix of native, well-adapted trees in the right locations, electricity usage for cooling is reduced, the deterioration of city infrastructure is lessened, and more water is captured and infiltrated into our soils instead of running off and causing flooding and pollution. The net result is cost savings for the city (and you, the taxpayer!), as well as a reduction in the city’s overall carbon footprint. Trees are the original green solution.
How will your Parks & Libraries donation be used by the Austin Public Library?
Library Fund
The Austin Public Library is committed to providing easy access to books and information for all ages, through responsive professionals, engaging programs, and state of the art technology in a safe and friendly environment. The Library currently has over 1.4 million items in its collection and is expanding quickly, especially in its digital offerings. The Library currently offers over 22,000 digital e-books, e-audio books, and e-video as well as streaming video for customers to access from their home or on-the-go via their smart phones or other high-tech devices. This fund will allow us to purchase more of these extremely popular, high-demand materials, and to branch out into other digital formats such as e-magazines and downloadable music.
