Parks and Recreation Department contemplates a 2026 bond, two years overdue

Austin Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of developing its 2026 integrated bond, with the last one created eight years ago for a 2018 bond election. These bonds fund capital improvement projects for parks and recreation, including building new parks, improving existing parks, and acquiring land.

The Parks and Recreation Board heard a staff briefing on the progress of the 2026 Integrated Bond Development process at their regular meeting on Monday.

“We are feeling a little bit the impacts of a delayed bond cycle, which typically occurs every six years, which would make the 2026 bond cycle eight years since the last one we did so the facilities are certainly feeling that,” said Jesús Aguirre, director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

PARD boasts assets totaling 20,041 acres of green space, 355 parks, 269 miles of trails, 190 playgrounds, 12 nature play spaces, 13 off-leash pet areas, six golf courses, 34 pools, 11 splash pads, seven disc golf courses, 65 multipurpose courts, 15 pickleball courts, 25 soccer fields, 87 tennis courts, 48 basketball courts, 48 volleyball courts, 73 baseball/softball fields, six cultural centers, three museums, 14 performing arts venues, 25 recreation/senior centers, five cemeteries, 107 historic buildings, 12 office buildings, 11 maintenance buildings and 115 restrooms.

Logistically, these amenities require a large amount of funding to maintain and keep up with the city’s growth rate.

“(There) is a challenge in addressing degraded conditions at our maintenance facilities that are a really important component for ensuring the long-term sustainability and upkeep for the entire parks system,” said Aguirre. “It is especially evident as we try to continue to keep pace with the growth and buy additional land for future parkland that allows us to ensure that there are green spaces that promote environmental and community well-being for generations to come.”

Anticipated 2026 bond programs include over 350 projects with a projected price tag of  more than $1.8 billion. Funds will be focused on the following seven categories:

• Acquisition of land, including publicly owned land, to dedicate as parkland
• Renovation, rehabilitation, or additions of existing recreation and senior centers and associated assets, including ADA and safety improvements
• Major renovation or replacements of existing city pool facilities
• Renovation, additions or replacements of existing maintenance facilities and other PARD facilities, including ADA and safety improvements
• Improvements for playscapes, trails, parking lots, roadways, athletic fields and cemeteries
• Major renovations, improvements and replacements of cultural and arts centers
• Development of existing city parks, including greenbelts, neighborhood parks, district parks, metro parks, and downtown squares

All funds are utilized in accordance with the Parks and Recreation Department’s vision to “be an innovative leader in parks and recreation experiences” and its mission statement, “Inspire Austin to learn, play, protect and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places.”

Additionally, the department has supplemental technical criteria and scoring frameworks for programs not already prioritized in existing studies. There are five criteria with different weighted percentages that total 100 percent. Each criterion is listed below in descending order of weighted percentage with a description of purpose:

1. Social Equity: Population served, income of service area, people of color served, children served
2. Proactive Reinvestment: Site/building condition, safety, maintenance costs, reinvestment, facility usage, accessibility
3. Sustainability & Resilience: Green infrastructure, resilience networks, sustainable design, energy efficiency, water usage
4. Leveraging Funds and Partnership Opportunities: Ability to utilize matching funds from alternative sources such as grants, donations, partners, historic preservation fund, other city departments, etc.
5. Strategic Direction Project aligns with existing city plans, PARD Long Range Plan, Parks and Recreation Department vision plans, etc.

Assistant City Manager Robert Goode penned a memo on Jan. 9 providing an in-depth update on the 2026 bond program, which can be referenced for further information on the progress and development schedule.

The Bond Election Advisory Task Force is set to provide a report that will consist of projects to be included in the comprehensive bond package no later than July 1.

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

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