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

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AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S UPDATE Ju ly 28 , 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. Park Planning and Development Completed Projects Metz Playground Replacement • Open to the public • Ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for August 1st • Mendez Recreation Center youth created a for-kids-by- kids survey for the first round of community engagement. Zilker Pecan Grove Tree Planting • Planting was completed in late spring • • 17 trees planted Improvements made to stormwater management and soil quality. Park Planning and Development Completed Projects Zilker Botanical Garden Greene Room • Renovations to the Greene Room completed this month. • Work included new beams, flooring, roof, windows and ADA accessibility improvements. Parque Zaragoza Placemaking Project • Pilot community placemaking project • Led the Amigos de Parque Zaragoza • Celebration scheduled for August 21st Highland Park Pedestrian Bridge • Completed late Spring 2025 • Crosses the Waller Creek tributary Park Planning and Development Project Update Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation at Barton Springs Pool https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2144470169372068 Sustainability and Resilience Electric Landscaping Equipment Study The City of Austin is gathering input about electric lawn and garden equipment. • Office of Climate Action and Resilience has engaged consultants Terra Lumina Consulting and Wisdom en Familias, LLC • Community engagement will include a public survey and interviews with local landscaping professionals. Take the Survey!! bit.ly/AustinElectricEquipmentSurvey Natural Resources Division Nature Programs and Zilker Botanical Garden The Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy and Camacho Activity Center won the Best of Austin Award in the 35th Annual Contest for the Austin Chronicle. Highlighted was the Zilker Botanical Garden Dino Days program expanded activations through increased community impact and significant improvement of the program, and Camacho’s affordable programming and activities for all ages. Nature Programs: ANSC Wildlife In partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Austin Nature and Science Center (ANSC) welcomed Ember, a Screech Owl, to their collection. Ember was seized by TPWD, but due to imprinting was not suitable for release into the wild. ANSC will provide a safe environment where Ember will live out her life and provide vital education to visitors about native animals living in our community. Recreation Services Dottie Jordan Recreation Center – Grow Together Welcoming 14 participants ages 3–5, this program offers fun and engaging activities including water play, sensory exploration, STEM experiments, and cooking projects for young learners to grow, play, and discover together. Roving Leaders Teens are staying active exploring the "coolest" places in Austin. Watershed Protection guided participants at Whirlpool Cave to learn about Austin's underground cave system. An experience they'll never forget! Vermont Systems PayTrac Rollout Streamlining payments and patron experiences for Golf and online payments simplifies billing and provides faster refund processing for an enhanced customer experience. Adult Flag Football Leagues This summer season includes nearly 200 players competing each week, with divisions spanning from recreational to competitive. Offering teams a fun and social outlet. Community Recreation North District Northwest Recreation Center- Teen Summer Camp Northwest Recreation Center is hosting a Teen Summer Camp for ages 12– 15 from June 9 to August 13. Each week, 10 participants take daily morning and afternoon field trips to local parks and pools, then return to enjoy sports, games, and creative activities. District 7. Pickfair Community Center - Youth Summer Camp: Pickfair Community Center is hosting a Summer Camp for ages 5–11 from June 9 to August 8. Each week, 24 children enjoy games, crafts, field trips, and themed activities—like making dinosaur snacks during Jurassic Parks week. District 6. Hancock Recreation Center’s Summer Camp Sessions: Hancock's Summer Camp for youth and tweens runs from 7:30 AM to 6 PM, featuring games, swimming at Shipe Pool, and weekly field trips. Pictured: the Hancock staff during training week. District 9. Community Recreation North District Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center’s Senior Fashion Show: Join us this Friday, July 11, 2025, at Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center for the Varsity Generation Fashion Show! Participants will showcase Gatsby-inspired looks and Sunday’s Best in a runway celebration of vintage flair and modern style. Don’t miss this fun, creative event! District 4. Gus Garcia Varsity Generation Computer Class: Ten Varsity Generation participants successfully completed a computer literacy class at Gus Garcia Recreation Center, offered in partnership with the Austin Area Urban League. Throughout the program, participants learned essential computer skills and built confidence using technology. To celebrate their achievement, they held a small ceremony where each received a certificate. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in future classes. District 4. Community Recreation Central District Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center Thursday July 3rd Pan Am's teen program hosted its cooking curriculum, in celebration of the Fourth of July Holdiay. Despite the inclement weather the teens grilled hot dogs and sausages for the entire summer camp program and staff. District 1 Rulfo "Rudy" Mendez Recreation Center Camps from all around the city participated in a Fishing Derby hosted by Mendez Recreation Center as part of the weekly Teen Challenge. Many different species of fish were caught and then released along the east side of Lady Bird Lake. Every participant received a free Cirkul water bottle courtesy of The Trail Conservancy. After the derby, all teens were brought together for a hotdog luncheon. District 1 Community Recreation Central District Turner-Roberts Recreation Center Turner-Roberts Recreation centers summer camp participant recently attended a trip to the Texas Capitol. For most of the youth participants it was their first visit to the historic site where they learned about the state of Texas's rich history, symbolic monuments and artifacts to include the Lone Star, and were excited to learn even more. District 1 Delores Duffie Recreation Center The Henry Madison Cabin, located in Rosewood Neighborhood park recently completed renovations for its preservation. The cabin was deconstructed then reassembled with a new foundation and walkway. The Henry G. Madison Cabin was built in approximately 1863 by pioneering Austin civic leader Henry Green Madison and was originally located at 807 East 11th Street, the cabin was the home of Madison, Austin first African American City Council member After its discovery, the cabin was donated to the City of Austin, where it was reassembled in Rosewood Neighborhood Park in 1973, where it still stands. District 3. Community Recreation South District Dittmar Recreation Center - Water Aerobics Varsity Generation program kicked of its annual summer water aerobics sessions. This is a 10-week session that has registered at max capacity with 20 participants registered and 10 on the waitlist. The program is off to a great start! George Morales Dove Spring Recreation - Summer Camp Summer camp programs continue to thrive in providing enriching experiences for their summer camp participants. 72 participants are currently enrolled in Dove Springs summer camp programs that take place Monday-Friday from 7:30am-6:00pm. 24 additional participants ages 5-12 are currently enrolled in the free Dove Springs Boredom Busters camp program. Community Recreation South District Montopolis Recreation Center - Tiny Cheer program Participants will build strength, coordination, and flexibility through routines, dances, and chants. Beyond physical benefits, the program encourages teamwork, boosts self-confidence, and helps kids develop discipline and a positive attitude. Our parents and caregivers also benefit through shared involvement, with the potential to create a stronger and more supportive local network. South Austin Recreation Center – Summer Camp With two 3 age groups, 5 to 7, 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. Each week reached maximum enrollment totaling 60 kids between all age groups with a long waitlist. Field trips include swimming at Barton Springs and Garrison pools, excursions to Gattitown, ice skating rinks and other fun summer activities. Summer Camp is Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 6pm from June 9th to August 15th. Community Recreation Varsity Generations Lamar Senior Activity Center: Creative Coasters On June 20th, ten participants had the unique opportunity to transform ceramic tiles into personalized coasters. The tiles were decorated to create gifts for loved ones or statement pieces for their coffee table. Conley Guerrero Senior Activity Center: Celebrating a Historic Day: The Center, in partnership with the Guild, hosted an inspiring event in celebration of a Juneteenth for over 180 participants. The event featured a full agenda of entertainment and educational programming, including a powerful presentation by Dr. Rosalee Martin, Dynamic dance performances, performance by the Conley Guerrero Choir, live music by the soulful band New Sensation of Role Lights, delicious food, and prizes and giveaways offered throughout the event. Varsity Generation Services: Maintenance Week The three senior centers are having their designated maintenance weeks during July. Each site will perform deep cleaning, painting, floor care, and more during this week of closure. Office of Special Events Star-Spangled Fest - 4th of July – Cancelled due to weather Star-Spangled Fest Austin Symphony Orchestra July 4th Concert and Fireworks presented by H-E-B is the largest free and open to the public firework display in the city. Approx. Attendance – 50,000 MLS All-Star Celebration – July 19 and July 20 Soccer Celebration is a free two-night fan festival featuring interactive fan zones, live music, games, player appearances, free giveaways, and MLS match watch parties. Approx. Attendance – 7,500 Support Services Division Contracts, Concessions, Purchasing & Grants The Zilker Café solicitation’s recommended vendor, Legacy Hospitality Group, LLC, is expected to go to Council at the end of August to authorize the negotiation and execution of a contract for the operation and management of the Café located in Zilker Park. In addition, contract management staff in collaboration with the City’s Central Procurement Office, are preparing to release a competitive solicitation in late August for the management and operation of a boating concession at Stratford Drive, currently operated by Rowing Dock. Support Services Division Financial Services The FY26 Proposed and FY27 Planned budgets were presented to the Mayor and City Council on Tuesday, July 15th. FSD is currently working on coordinating responses to any questions that City Council might send to APR. The City Council’s General Fund Budget Work Session is scheduled for July 23rd. The proposed budget will be voted on by City Council on August 13th-15th. Human Resources From January 2025 to July 2025, PARD HR has successfully onboarded approximately 740 seasonal and temporary Aquatics staff members. To date, 279 lifeguard certification bonuses have processed. Based on current staffing levels, it is estimated an additional 250 to 400 more will be completed. Lifeguards receive a $400 Certification Bonus upon completing lifeguard certification and working 80 hours. QUESTIONS?