02-1: Nature Play Program Presentation — original pdf

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Austin Parks and Recreation Department Nature Play Program Cities Connecting Children to Nature Initiative Presented by Christine Chute Canul, Partnership Manager, Park Planning Division Lindsey Machamer, Project Management Supervisor, Park Development Division Melody Alcazar, Cities Connecting Children to Nature Manager, Park Planning Division Nature Play in Parks & Recreation Dept. Nature Play in Parks & Recreation Dept. Nature Play Vision: building a world where all children can explore nature through play Connections to City Priorities: • Heat Resiliency Playbook (OCAR) • Climate Equity Plan (OCAR) • • • Green Building Program (Austin Energy) Sustainability & Resilience Program (PARD) Long Range Plan (PARD) Nature Play | Timeline 2016 June 224 2018 Cities Connecting Children to Nature Austin is formed Nature Play becomes priority strategy 2019 Debut loose parts lending kit library 2021 2022 2024 1st large installation at Walnut Creek Metro Park Nature Play Guidelines created Established nature play materials yard at Trevino Metro Park Site Examples LARGE: Walnut Creek Metro Park • • Grant + CIP funded • Partner activated Pilot features, perm. signage MEDIUM: Kendra Page Neighborhood Park • • • Community initiated, signage APF grant funded PARD activated SMALL: Ron Rigsby Pocket Park ▪ ▪ ▪ Community initiated PARD funded Community activation Materials Procurement • Pilot Project: Old Lampasas Dam modernization • Materials received: 277 trees, 972 cubic yards of boulders • Other donations: Austin Airport Million Air Terminal expansion, TxDOT I-35 expansion along Lady Bird Lake Training + Staff Development Staff, Partner, Agency, and Contractor Training • Bi-annual nature play design, installation, and maintenance training • Annual chainsaw skills and safety training Staff Collaboration: Facility Construction + Community PARKnerships + Playgrounds Partners + Stewardship Partner support • Install and maintain nature play on partner-managed park sites • Support with training costs • Support concept planning with community-requested nature play spaces Community Requests • Commonly requested amenity via Community Activated Park Project proposals & Vision Planning Current Status • Total nature play installs on parkland to-date: 23 • Installations planned for rest of calendar year 2025: 8 • Nature Play Materials Yard: over 15 partners served, including AISD and early childhood centers • Loose parts lending kits: over 4,000 community members served Questions Melody Alcazar, Cities Connecting Children to Nature Manager, Park Planning melody.alcazar@austintexas.gov