Tag Archives: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

As hordes of visitors descend on Austin for SXSW, Barton Springs Pool is closed for cleaning

Barton Springs Pool is closed while it undergoes a deep cleaning to remove unhealthy growth and things like dirt, leaves, sticks and other debris from the pool floor. While the annual cleaning goes back more than a decade, the closure…

Parks • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Mar 7, 2025

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…

Bonds & Propositions • By Hunter Simmons • Feb 27, 2025

December Parks and Recreation Department report identifies needs for senior and recreation facilities

Last week, Jesús Aguirre, the new director of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), sent a memo summarizing the findings of the department’s Recreation and Senior Center Facility Assessment and Gap Analysis Report. The report, released in December, identified priority…

Austin • By Mina Shekarchi • Feb 21, 2025

Encampment cleanup efforts could cost $1.2 million for dedicated team

Austin may establish a dedicated, in-house team to conduct regular cleanups at encampments across the city’s park system. That’s the recommendation laid out in a memo from three department directors in response to a City Council resolution last year calling…

Parks • By Amy Smith • Feb 5, 2025

Austin is increasing security at city parks and greenbelts following string of car break-ins

After recent vehicle break-ins at parks and greenbelts, the city of Austin is looking to improve security. Each year, thousands of car breaks-in are reported in Austin. In 2024 alone, more than 8,200 cars were broken into, according to crime…

Police • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Feb 3, 2025

PARD memo eyes expected 2026 bond package to complete new Dougherty Arts Center

The Parks and Recreation Department is looking toward an expected 2026 bond package to obtain the funding needed to complete the new Dougherty Arts Center, which is slated to be built in two phases in the coming years at a…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 10, 2024

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Former PARD Director McNeeley resigns from top post at The Trail Conservancy

In a surprising turn of events, Kimberly McNeeley has resigned from her position as CEO of The Trail Conservancy after less than six months on the job. McNeeley had previously served as director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department…

Parks • By Amy Smith • Dec 5, 2024

Audit finds golf course employees violated city rules

Employees in the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s golf division misused city resources in providing golf lessons to people for pay while on city time, according to an investigation conducted by the Office of the City Auditor. One employee also…

Parks • By Jo Clifton • Dec 3, 2024

Council will consider new parks funding and management strategies

On Thursday, City Council is slated to approve a resolution from Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool that directs the city manager to explore new parks funding strategies; to consider a regional approach to parks funding, acquisition and maintenance; and to…

Parks • By Mina Shekarchi • Nov 21, 2024

Music Commission to explore opening parks spaces for community, cultural events

The Music Commission has signaled it intends to ask the city to waive fees and streamline the administrative processes involved in allowing small community groups to hold arts and music events in local parks facilities. Last week’s meeting included discussion…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 14, 2024

Parks and Recreation Board recommends audit of contracts governing city sports fields

The Austin Parks and Recreation Board unanimously voted to recommend that City Council conduct a comprehensive audit of all contracts related to dozens of city-owned baseball and soccer fields. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department frequently contracts with outside organizations…

Parks • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Oct 31, 2024

City shares update on parks-nonprofit relationships

During a special called meeting of City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee on Oct. 9, three speakers stated their concerns about the relationship between the Parks Department and its nonprofit partners, specifically regarding special events and the Trail of Lights.…

Parks • By Mina Shekarchi • Oct 29, 2024

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