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Tag Archives: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Nash Hernandez Building still among four sites considered to host senior, child programs
The city is continuing work to establish a community center for seniors and young children in East Austin, with sites under consideration including the Nash Hernandez Building. A memo released last week discloses the latest progress related to a December…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 7, 2023
Environmental Commission can't agree on Polo Fields parking solution
After a lengthy discussion, the Environmental Commission this week tabled an item that would recommend the Parks and Recreation Department end vehicle parking on the Zilker Park Polo Fields. The discussion happened at the commission’s Aug. 2 regular meeting, and…
Parks • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 4, 2023
Downtown Commission hears plans to address Rainey Street safety
The Downtown Commission last week gave an unofficial thumbs-up to the city’s efforts to improve safety in the Rainey Street nightlife district, in an effort to prevent more drownings in the area. On July 19, representatives from the Parks and…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 25, 2023
City IDs $65M in creative space needs for possible 2024 bond package
The city has identified $65 million in critical needs for cultural arts infrastructure projects that will be under consideration for a possible bond vote in 2024. A memo released last week spells out the progress being made on a handful…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 18, 2023
After years of staffing woes, Austin finally hires enough lifeguards by start of swim season
Austin finally has enough lifeguards. This week, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the hiring of more than 1,000 lifeguards this swim season. That allowed PARD to open all 32 operational pools in its expansive aquatics system and extend…
Parks • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 11, 2023
City, conservancy moving ahead with Rainey Street safety improvements
The Parks and Recreation Department has proposed up to $1 million in permanent infrastructure improvements to enhance public safety along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail in the Rainey Street District. A memo released last week by department Director…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 10, 2023
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Insufficient staffing revealed in audit of fraud and waste at Parks and Recreation Department
A former employee of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department fraudulently submitted timesheets stating she was working, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor, and she collected paychecks for six months in 2021 – although she…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jul 3, 2023
Study calls for formalizing partnership between parks department and foundation
Local parks advocates want the city and the Austin Parks Foundation nonprofit group to come to a formal agreement spelling out the roles and responsibilities between the two entities, with the hope of better addressing equity issues across the city’s…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 27, 2023
Ethics commission dismisses complaints over Zilker Park votes
The Zilker Metropolitan Park Vision Plan continues to generate controversy. This week, accusations about the motivations of two of the plan’s supporters came before the Ethics Review Commission. In April, Austinite Teri Adams filed two complaints with the Ethics Review…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jun 7, 2023
Parks board recommends park safety task force
The Parks and Recreation Board is calling for City Council to establish a parks safety task force to evaluate park safety, consider whether to reinstate a parks police unit and recommend ways of supporting the growing number of homeless residents…
Parks • By Nina Hernandez • May 2, 2023
Parks board hears update on project to convert Nash Hernandez building into intergenerational community hub
The city’s Parks and Recreation Board reviewed progress in the ongoing effort to convert the Nash Hernandez building in East Austin into an intergenerational resource and activity center. At the board’s April 24 meeting, members of the Intergenerational Resource and…
Parks • By Nina Hernandez • Apr 28, 2023
City on track with lifeguard hiring, director says
Great progress has been made in the hiring of lifeguards, Parks and Recreation Department Director Kimberly McNeeley told City Council at Tuesday’s work session. In addition to the $20 per hour salary, McNeeley said those who complete their training and…
