06-1: Directors Update, August 2025 — original pdf

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AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S UPDATE August, 2025 Operations and Maintenance Major League Soccer All-Star Weekend APR’s Turf and Athletics Maintenance Teams helped to bring the MLS All-Star Weekend to Austin • Turf prepped the lawns and assisted with set-up at Auditorium Shores for concerts, vendors, even a pirate ship! • After assisting with take down, the team watered, aerated and fertilized the lawn to help it recover. • Athletics prepped the fields at Rosewood for a smaller event for kids and families. • The team performed extra string trimming, mowing, weed removal and fence cleanup to provide a fun and safe experience. Image: Steve Carrillo/MLS Operations and Maintenance Recent Improvements Parks and Recreation Headquarters • Collaboration with Public Works and Transportation to repave the road and parking lot at Main Office Zilker Metro Park • APR’s Trails team improved portions of the road leading to the Girl Scout Cabin at Zilker Metro Park. Operations and Maintenance Recent Repairs Brazos Retaining Wall Reconstruction • Reconstructing damaged wall at Cesar Chavez and Brazos, near the Ann and Roy Butler Trail. • Collaboration with the City Engineer’s Office Operations and Maintenance Special Thanks to.. Assistant Director, Liana Kallivoka and Division Manager, Charles Vaclavik for the management support, our department colleagues in Park Safety, Planning, and Development, the City Engineers Office, Watershed Protection, Transportation and Public Works, and of course our Maintenance Crew! Recreation Services National Softball Association of the Deaf (NSAD) 50th Annual Deaf Softball Tournament was recently held at the Krieg Complex. With support from APR staff, NSAD successfully welcomed over 450 players and fans from across the country. Their 3-day event was a memorable experience for all participants. Parque Zaragoza Placemaking Ribbon Cutting The Parque Zaragoza traffic garden and placemaking project is complete. The new bicycle traffic garden provides a safe space for children and program participants to practice biking and learn road safety. Come celebrate with us at the ribbon-cutting on Thursday, August 21 from 4 to 5 pm! Givens Park Summer Activations While Givens Recreation Center is closed for renovations, the Youth & Teen Outreach team provided programming in the park to include a community kickball tournament! More than 80 participants showed up for this free, family-friendly event with food, music, and even a half-time dance party! Community Recreation Conley -Guerrero Senior Activity Center On July 26th, we hosted our Community Engagement Open House. Our center welcomed over 80 participants to participate in sessions led by contracted instructors, including yoga, stretch and strength, and tai chi, showcasing the benefits of movement and wellness. - Open House – Teen Summer Program South Austin Recreation Center Hosting a Teen Summer Camp program for ages 12-15 from June 9 – August 13. Participants take field trips each day to parks and swimming pools around town during the morning and early afternoon hours. Upon returning to the center, they participate in various activities and complete crafts. A total of 12 teens participates in the program each week Turner -Roberts Recreation Center Turner-Roberts Recreation Center recently completed the installation of its community garden bed funded by the Parks and Recreation Department and the Austin Parks Foundation. The newly installed raised garden beds will be accessible to the community, and will allow for external garden programs, for the youth, teen, and Varsity Generation program participants at the recreation center. Gus Garcia Recreation Center. HEB and Austin Parks and Recreation recently partnered to offer a Build Your Own Banana Boat Party at Gus Garcia. 84 Summer Camp participants from ages 5 to 14 created their own boat with a variety of healthy and delicious . This program brought joy to our youths while reinforcing the importance of wellness and community connection. Natural Resources Nature Program Summer Camps Wrap Up at Austin Nature and Science Center and Camacho Activity Center • 1, 120 Youth Campers • 26 Summer Camp Counselors • 11 Counselors In Training • Caving • Kayaking • Overnight camping • Hiking • Science experiments • Arts crafts • Rock Climbing • Biking • Swimming Support Services Finance and Community Engagement Financial Services After months of development, deliberations, and public input, the Austin City Council has adopted a $6.3 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The budget, approved August 14, incorporates the City Manager’s proposed budget and includes several additional investments to address the community’s needs, such as: • $375,000 for the Youth Athletic Field maintenance • $243,000 for Tree Maintenance for new Land Acquisitions • Two staff positions and $125,000 to support and maintain the Colony Park pool Program Updates Austin Parks Foundation (APF), Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) and Amigos de Parque Zaragoza are excited to announce the completion of a brand-new bicycle traffic garden at Parque Zaragoza. This scaled-down street network, based on an original design by TrafficGardens.com, will enable children and new riders to practice biking and road safety in a car-free space. It’s designed to accommodate children from the Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center’s programming, as well as participants in APR’s Therapeutic Recreation Services. Additionally, the space is open to the public for all users. Learn more about the Parque Zaragoza Placemaking Project. City Council District 3. Support Services Human Resources Safety On the 13th of August, Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) safety team partnered with Watershed Protection safety team and APR Trails to conduct a job hazard analysis for a project to reinforce the Lou Neff scenic overlook due to shoreline erosion. This partnership and exercise, helps to ensure proper safety measures are in place while working on or near a body of water, in accordance with OSHA regulations, to protect the public and city staff. The project was completed without any injuries. Training The Parks and Recreation HR team is developing a series of 30- minute training sessions focused on career development skills. These Pop-Up sessions will include introduction to leadership, navigating promotional opportunities, and more. The goal is to provide more accessible trainings to all Parks and Recreation employees who hope to invest in their career development and are seeking opportunities to promote or improve within their current role. Support Services Contracts, Purchasing and Grants Zilker Café The Zilker Café solicitation’s recommended vendor, Legacy Hospitality Group, LLC, is expected to go to Council on August 28, 2025, to authorize the negotiation and execution of a contract for the operation and management of the Café located in Zilker Park. Competitive Solicitation Contract management staff in collaboration with the City’s Central Procurement Office, are preparing to release a competitive solicitation in early September for the management and operation of a boating concession at Stratford Drive, currently operated by Rowing Dock. Texas Rowing Center The management and operation revenue concession contract with Texas Rowing Center was assigned and assumed by the Trail Conservancy (TTC) at the beginning of August as outlined in the Parkland Operation and Maintenance Agreement (POMA) between the City and TTC. Accordingly, all revenue payments will go directly to TTC going forward. APR staff will continue to monitor the contract and work directly with TTC. QUESTIONS?