On August 13th, Austin City Council took a historic step to expand Austin’s trail system. CM Paige Ellis led City Council to add a $460 million safe mobility bond to the ballot in November! Included in this bond is the single largest contribution to Austin’s trails system in history, with $80 million dedicated to building out Austin’s Tier 1 Urban …
Victory at City Hall: Essential Funds for Parks Added to the City Budget
It’s been a tough year for Austin’s parks. Already perennially underfunded, Austin’s parks and trails systems have been inundated, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Tens of thousands of new users, overwhelming some of Austin’s most beloved parks, have taken their toll. Whether it be habitat degradation, increased littering and pollution, or just the daily wear and tear from thousands of visitors, …
Celebrating Juneteenth: Austin’s Historically Black Parks
As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, amidst a restored sense of how urgently our city must face the truth of our past and work to improve our present and future, we wanted to take a step into history with you. We’ve gathered some links, photos and stories that we hope will help illustrate just how hard Black Austinites have had …
Investing in Parks: Austin’s Parks + Trails as Economic Drivers
On April 7th, the civic world in Austin seemed to halt for a few brief moments. John Hockenyos, an Austin based economist, delivered a less-than-rosy economic impact update to Austin’s City Council in the wake of COVID-19. “I’m hoping that is a slightly pessimistic scenario, but I think it is a realistic scenario,” Hockenyos said. The scenario predicted Great Depression …
Active Transportation + Project Connect in the Time of COVID-19
× Hey there! COVID-19 has changed how we do things, and your safety is our priority. Please keep social distancing best practices in mind if you choose to visit parks, trails and green spaces. Thanks, y’all! Written by Thomas Visco, Advocacy Manager at Austin Parks Foundation Last year, Austin City Council approved the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP). This set …
Advocacy Update: Help Us Protect Austin’s Parkland
× Hey there! COVID-19 has changed how we do things, and your safety is our priority. Please keep social distancing best practices in mind if you choose to visit parks, trails and green spaces. Thanks, y’all! As many of you know, Austin Parks Foundation (APF) has been working with our City Council allies and other advocates to ensure Austin’s land-use …