Movies in the Park (and playdates) return

The Austin Parks Foundation has released its 2023 schedule of free, outdoor summer movies. After a weather delay, Movies in the Park relaunches April 13 with a 7 p.m. screening of “Back to the Future” at Dick Nichols District Park. The schedule in its entirety is:

• “Back to the Future” @ Dick Nichols District Park: Thu., April 13, 7 p.m.
• “The Lego Batman Movie” @ Dove Springs District Park: Thu., April 27, 7 p.m.
• “Free Guy” @ Gus Garcia District Park: Thu., May 25, 7:30 p.m.
• “The Sandlot” @ Govalle District Park: Thu., June 29, 7 p.m.
• “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” @ TBA: Fri., Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
• “Hocus Pocus” @ Mueller Lake Park: Thu., Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
• “Moana” @ Mabel Davis District Park: Fri., Nov. 10, 7 p.m.

Guests to the screenings are encouraged to bring (non-glass, non-Styrofoam) picnics, blankets, chairs and on-leash dogs. This year, APF is also hosting a series of “Playdates in the Park” with Creative Action that include story times, arts and crafts, music and more. Information about the playdates can be found here. And the playdates include:

• Garrison District Park: Wed., April 12, 10 a.m.
• Alderbrook Pocket Park: Sat., April 29, 10 a.m.
• Armadillo Neighborhood Park: Wed., May 10, 10 a.m.
• Patterson Neighborhood Park: Sat., May 27, 10 a.m.

“We’ve seen the sense of community that park-centered events like our In the Park series fosters among our neighbors and attendees,” said Colin Wallis, CEO of Austin Parks Foundation, in a statement to the press. “Giving Austinites access to free programming allows for more opportunities to get the community to enjoy our parks and green spaces and provides a safe, fun atmosphere for family and friends to gather.”