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 total cost of $50 million to $60 million. A memo published last month by interim […]
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department
The city department responsible for the city’s park system, rec centers, and associated infrastructure.
Posted inParks
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 until her resignation in May. She took the helm of The Trail Conservancy on June […]
Posted inParks
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 received payment for repairing golf clubs while on city time. Their supervisor approved the practices […]
Posted inParks
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 provide an annual report on the city’s Parkland Dedication Fund. The draft resolution lists potential […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
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 prompted by a request from the Sunday Sessions arts and wellness group to ask the […]
Posted inParks
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 to manage, maintain and use some of the city-owned baseball and soccer fields. The recommended […]
Posted inParks
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. This public testimony was the latest chapter in a recent ongoing dialogue about the relationship […]
Posted inEnvironment
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. 11 memo from Development Services Director José G. Roig and Parks and Recreation interim Director […]
Posted inParks
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 properties are open green spaces, but because they’re not designated as parkland the city can’t […]
Posted inParks
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 January to July 2023, staff at six recreation centers — Austin Recreation Center, Dittmar Recreation […]
Posted inCity Hall
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 use the facility. The report also found that Mark Vasquez, a PARD recreation program supervisor […]
Posted inPlanning
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 effort in 2023 since several years had passed since the first outreach, Parks and Rec […]