Support Parks in our City’s Budget

Taylor WisemanParks, Signature Events, APF News, People + Parks, Blog Page

Only 60% of residents currently live within a 10-minute walk to a park, and the amount of green space varies greatly throughout the city. At APF, we feel a critical responsibility to invest in, and maintain our parks for future generations in every area of the city. We believe our public parkland should be preserved and maintained. We believe all Austinites, regardless of where they live, have the right to safe, accessible parks.

On July 15th, Austin City Manager, Spencer Cronk, released the city’s proposed FY 2023 budget. While several investments in parks infrastructure and programming were included, there are still many priorities that will not receive funding without your continued advocacy. We encourage you to advocate on behalf of our city’s parks – please  reference the following requests when speaking to your council members! 

FY 2023 Budget Requests

  • INCREASING PARK RANGER & JR RANGER programs: $909,000 

    • $474,000 ongoing, $75,000 one-time – 6 year-round FTEs + supplies

    • $300,000 ongoing, $35,000 one time- 18 temporary FTEs (Summer Season) + supplies

    • $25,000 ongoing to Expand Youth Cadet (Jr Park Ranger) Program- 15 apprenticeships +supplies

  • IMPLEMENTATION OF PARD’S LONG RANGE PLAN: $124,848 

    • Focused on equity – $121,848.00 ongoing, $3,000 one-time -1 FTE

  • IMPROVE PARD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: $112,000

    • $109,000 ongoing, $3,000 one-time – 1 FTE

  • MAINTAINING PARD FACILITIES: $981,183 

    • $255,000 ongoing- Increase Athletic Maintenance to Improve Public Access to Ball Fields, 3 FTE

    • $86,942 ongoing, $53,333 one-time- Increase HVAC Support- 1 FTE + Supplies

    • $228,609 ongoing, $92,571 one-time- Increase Plumbing/Irrigation Support- 3 FTE +supplies

    • $124,728 ongoing, $140,000 one-time- Additional Ground Maintenance Support- 2 FTE +supplies

  • INVESTING IN NATURE PLAY AND WAY-FINDING: $260,362.00

    • $150,000- Nature Play Support

    • $110,362 ongoing- Dedicated Way-finding Program Coordinator- 1 FTE

  • SAFETY: $213,000 

    • $43,000 one-time-vehicle and office equipment

    • $60,000 on-going, security equipment

    • $110,000 on-going, 1 FTE

Advocate for Austin’s Parks

Local resident at Walnut Creek Park – May 2022

City Council will begin meeting in-person again starting this Tuesday, August 9th. The public will be allowed to express their opinions on the parkland dedication fee during the August 17th meeting in-person or remotely by telephone. Please sign up to speak on behalf of our parks! Find out how to register here. 

If you are not able to join during one of the public hearings you can also call or email your council member (find out who your council member is here) to let them know you support increased parks funding.