08-1: Director's Update, May 2025 — original pdf

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AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S UPDATE May 19, 2025 Welcome to AUSTIN PARKS & RECREATION VISION The Parks and Recreation Department will be an innovative leader in parks and recreation experiences. MISSION Inspire Austin to learn, play, protect and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places. Ensure Parkland Offers Relief from Urban Life Park Planning and Development Upcoming Project Completions • Colony Park Pool Ribbon Cutting: May 24, 10AM • Givens Pool Ribbon Cutting: May 30, 10AM • Parque Zaragoza Bathhouse Anticipated Completion: June 20 • Little Walnut Creek Greenbelt Improvements Target Completion: Early June • Scenic Brook Pocket Park Target Completion: Early June Park Planning and Development New Shade Structure Installations • Kennemer Pool Shade Complete May 2025 • Dove Springs Pool Shade Complete May 2025 • Givens Pool Shade Complete May 2025 • Agave Playground Shade Structure Complete March 2025 • Metz Playground Replacement Complete June 2025 Natural Resources Program Internal Circulator and Parking at Zilker Zilker Loop • Free internal circulator managed by the Nature and Science Center Weekends and holidays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 15 to 20-minute intervals from May 24 through September 1 Parking validation at Stratford Gravel Lot for 2 hours available through the Park ATX APP Parking at Polo Field • Available on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays through September 1 at 50% capacity (weather permitting) Parking capacity will be reduced to 30%, once parking at the Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse reopens • Exploring how to maintain parking capacity at 50% during special events Recreation Services Summer Staff Training Annual summer camp preparation training has arrived, covering a wide variety of safety topics, updates to handbooks, youth development, and CPR/First Aid and Basic Water Safety courses. Totally Cool Totally Art Show The end of year showcase and celebration held at the Dougherty Arts Center on May 12th featuring amazing artwork created by teens throughout the year. Adaptive Field Day May 2nd at Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center brought together 250 youth and adults from Austin ISD for a variety of inclusive games, activities and talent show! APD Cadet Disability Awareness Hands on activities at the Adaptive Field Day provided 70 APD cadets the opportunity to engage with youth and adults with disabilities. The cadets also attended a training session led by the TR - Modifications & Support team. Community Recreation VARSITY GENERATION South Austin Senior Activity Center: Excused Absence Comedy All Ages Festival Performance​ On Sunday, April 12th, members of the SASAC Improv class performed at the Excused Absence Comedy All Ages Festival at Coldtowne Theater. They performed a 25-minute set for the audience. DISTRICT 5​ Conley -Guerrero Senior Activity Center: Spring Fling On Friday, April 25th, the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, in collaboration with its Advisory Board and Guild, hosted a lively Spring Fling for our seniors. The event was packed with engaging activities and games designed for all to enjoy — from cracking cascarones over staff members’ heads, to cornhole competitions and a festive cake walk. Highlights included an egg hunt, an Easter basket raffle, and music for everyone to enjoy. Over 80 participants attended, enjoying music and popcorn while cheering on their friends and fellow community members.​ Lamar Senior Activity Center: Annual Art On and Off the Wall Show: Saturday, May 3rd, celebration of creativity and community! With over 100 attendees, the event featured all types of artworks— including paintings, drawings, photography, and handcrafted items like scarves and covers—created by the center members and local seniors aged 50 and above. All pieces were available for purchase, offering a unique opportunity to support local artists and acquire one-of-a-kind creations.​ Aquatics Aquatic Maintenance Big Stacy Pool recently underwent spring cleaning in anticipation of the upcoming summer season. Splash pads across the area are now open, offering early summer fun for families. Preparations are also underway to get pools ready for the FY25 season openings. Barton Springs In preparation for the busy summer season, waterfront lifeguard training is underway to ensure adequate staffing. Meanwhile, new furniture is being designed and purchased for aquatic staff areas in anticipation of the Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse reopening. Cemetery Operations Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Commemorative Ceremony was held at Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Wednesday, May 14th from 4 p.m.- 5 p.m. Office of Special Events Field Guide Festival – April 27, 2025 – District 3 Field Guide Festival connects attendees to their local food system. Attendees are encouraged to meet local farmers, eat delicious seasonal food from top Austin chefs, learn about current food trends, discover mindful brands and give back to the community. • Approx. Attendees: 1,000 Sunshine Run 5k and 10k – May 4, 2025 - District 9 Austin Sunshine Run is a non-profit, pet-friendly event in which 100% of every dollar made from registrations directly benefits the Austin Sunshine Camps within Zilker Park. Family, friends, pups, and colleagues run for a good cause and to celebrate afterwards with food, drinks, and music at Vic Mathias Shores. • Approx. Attendees: 2,500 Natural Resources Urban Forestry The 1,692 trees planted over the past 3 years will receive a fresh layer of mulch and will be watered weekly through the summer growing season. This support ensures these critical assets are well established, and provide the ecological, economic, and social benefits that were intended when they were planted. Nature Programs In partnership with the University of Texas, social work interns completed 8-months of field work at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center, expanding nature program offerings by providing therapeutic nature play and additional programs. Park Rangers 10 Seasonal Park Rangers will join the current team of 24 during the busy summer season. The seasonal staff will focus on Zilker Metropolitan Park and the parks along Lady Bird Lake. Land Management The City of Austin has been recertified as a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat. Support Services Human Resources Workday is coming soon to the City of Austin and will make the following more efficient and user friendly for the City of Austin employees: benefit enrollment, job searches and applications, Success Strategy Performance Reviews (SSPR), personal information updates, and training. Our team of 18 PARD Change Ambassadors are supporting efforts for the transition at the department level. https://tinyurl.com/y96fk5b4 Communications and Engagement PARD launches the free Zilker Loop, a convenient seasonal service that will take visitors from the large parking areas at the Stratford Lot and Polo Field to popular areas in the park including the Zilker Playground, Barton Springs Pool and the Barton Creek Spillway. The Zilker Loop runs every Sat. Sun. and holidays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 15-minute intervals starting Sat. May 24, 2025, and continuing through Mon. Sep. 1, 2025. The Zilker Loop will run on the following holidays: Memorial Day, Mon. May 26; Juneteenth, Thur. June 19; Independence Day, Fri. July 4; and Labor Day, Mon. Sep.1, 2025. Financial Services The Financial Services Department will begin random on-site audits to ensure sites are in compliance with the City’s cash handling procedures. Contracts, Purchasing & Grants The Zilker Café solicitation response is currently under evaluation, with an award recommendation anticipated in June. In addition, contract management staff has launched the annual desk review of PARD-related contracts, which is expected to conclude by September 2025. Information Systems Management (ISM) PARD ISM team is currently working on several technology audits and projects, including digital telephones, coper lines, mobility devices, and MAC/Ipad devices. QUESTIONS?