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Tag Archives: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

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

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

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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

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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

Benefits of urban trees justify projected price tag for city’s tree inventory plan

Funding to conduct an inventory of Austin’s public trees did not make it into this year’s budget as a City Council-approved resolution called for, but city officials say cost recommendations should be ready for the next budget cycle. An Oct.…

Environment • By Amy Smith • Oct 18, 2024

City-owned land will be repurposed to add 5 new parks in Austin

Five new parks are joining Austin’s parks system, adding much needed green spaces to areas considered to be “park deficient.” Austin’s Watershed Protection Department has over the years acquired land for things like protecting the environment and managing floodwater. These…

Parks • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Oct 11, 2024

Audit finds unpaid fees, lax rental practices at six PARD rec centers

The Office of the City Auditor has found widespread issues within the Austin Parks and Recreation Department related to inconsistent fee charges and collections for facility rentals at some community recreation centers. An audit report released Tuesday revealed that from…

Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 9, 2024

Auditor finds PARD employee improperly used rec center for birthday party

A new report from the Office of the City Auditor found that a Parks and Recreation Department employee violated city policy by organizing a birthday party at a recreation center he oversaw without reserving or paying the proper fees to…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 1, 2024

Preservation of Palm Park's history and culture still a priority for residents

The Parks and Recreation Board last week heard the results of the second community engagement process on the Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park as part of the third phase of the Waterloo Greenway Project. PARD staff restarted the community engagement…

Planning • By Amy Smith • Sep 30, 2024

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