08-1: Director's Update, January 2026 — original pdf

Backup

AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S UPDATE January 2026 Recreation Services Division Athletics: Adult Volleyball Tournament The APR Athletics Office hosted a volleyball tournament on January 10th at the Austin Recreation Center. The tournament reached maximum capacity, with exciting, high-energy play, and look forward to future tournaments. Community Initiatives: Youth Scholarships Through community donations made to the Parks and Library fund, along with support from APF, qualified families are starting to receive scholarship funds to help pay for APR programs like summer camp, sports, and after school programs. Last year, scholarship usage reached its highest total, exceeding $168,000. Design Assessments Therapeutic Recreation: Universal Universal Design promotes environments and services usable by all without the need for adaptation. Assessments identify accessibility improvement opportunities and include written reports and action plans for each site. 75% of APR Recreation Centers have been assessed, with the project concluding in January 2026. Sustainability and Resilience Division Holiday Tree Recycling at Zilker Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Resource Recovery partnered for the 39th year of Holiday Tree Recycling at Zilker Metro Park during the two weekends after Christmas. Approximately 1,500 pine trees were diverted from the landfill and turned into mulch which was offered free to the public. Over 40 volunteers worked together with Park Rangers, Forestry staff, Zilker Park Grounds staff, Austin Resource Recovery marketing and communications team members and the ARR mulching crew. Special thanks to APR Program Manager Meredith Gauthier for coordinating this event over the last several years! Park Planning Division Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park DOLA The fenced Dog Off-Leash Area is back in place at Circle C Ranch Metro Park. Located near trail parking area of Donald E. Carpenter Way Temporary fencing will remain in place while the design is developed for a permanent space, sponsored by the District 8 Council Office. Park Planning Division New Playground at Rosewood Neighborhood Park APR partnered with Austin Parks Foundation to renovate the Rosewood Neighborhood Park playground. The existing playscape equipment included swings and a small ship-themed play structure. It offered little shade or play value for visitors. Community members identified values and priorities for the park improvements via onsite pop-ups and online surveys. The new playscape is open to the public! Work on additional improvements including a new pavilion, upgraded sidewalks, seating, and new shade trees are underway. This project was funded by Austin Parks Foundation. https://www.austintexas.gov/rosewoodplayground Park Development Division Upcoming Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park Creek Stabilization and Bridge Project • February 6, 9:30 a.m. at Krieg Field • The new pedestrian bridge was the largest component of the overall effort between Austin Parks and Recreation and Watershed Protection to stabilize the channel at Country Club Creek. Longhorn Dam Bridge • February 7, 10 a.m. • The new “wishbone” bridge was a joint effort between Austin Transportation and Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Capital Delivery Services. https://www.austintexas.gov/department/roy-g-guerrero-colorado-river-park-channel-and-bridge-repairs https://www.austintexas.gov/department/roy-g-guerrero-park-channel-stabilization https://www.austintexas.gov/longhorndambridge Historic Preservation and Tourism Preservation Texas Honors the Henry G. Madison Cabin Preservation Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Texans to preserve their cultural heritage, and stewards significant buildings, collections, and cultural landscapes to ensure their permanent protection. The 2025 Historic Preservation Award the APR and Austin Parks Foundation for the rehabilitation of the Henry G. Madison Cabin. was awarded to “What makes this project special is the craftsmanship that went into honoring its original construction methods. Each historic log was numbered, repaired, or replaced as needed before being reassembled on a new foundation. New logs were hand-milled on-site using replica hand-tools from the 1860s, and the chinking mix was carefully selected to match the original.” https://www.preservationtexas.org/honor-awards/henry-madison-cabin FY25 Award Round - Up Austin Green Awards Project of the Year: Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park Awardee: Montopolis Recreation and Community Center Texas Association of Landscape Architects Merit Award for Planning and Analysis: All-Abilities Playground at Onion Creek City -County Communications and Marketing Association Savvy Award of Excellence for Campaign Outreach to Diverse Audience or Multicultural Campaign: Davis White Northeast Neighborhood Park Playscape TBG Partners Preservation Austin Special Recognition Award for… Education: Haskell House Documentary Rehabilitation: Buford Tower Restoration: Henry G. Madison Cabin American Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award for General Design: Waterloo Park Austin Chronicle Best of 2025 Reader's Poll Choice for Best… Playground: Pease Park; Swimming Pool: Barton Springs Pool; Golf Course: Butler Pitch and Putt; Bike Trail/Track: Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail; Place to Walk: Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail Critic's Pick for Best… Prehistoric Party: Dino Days at the Zilker Botanical Garden; Best Rec Center for Everyone: Lorraine Grandma Camacho Activity Center; Best Reminder to Stop and Enjoy the View: Southern Walnut Creek Trail Brian Fitzsimmons, Courtesy of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy Special Events 8 - District Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Zilker Holiday Tree is installed by Austin Energy and the event is managed and produced by the Austin Parks and Recreation. Attendees enjoy live music, concessions, as well as an opportunity to see the Annual Holiday tree lit. Approx. 1,000 attendees Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting 8 - District Trail of Lights CoSponsored by the City of Austin and hosted by the Trail of Lights Foundation, the annual event in Zilker Park celebrates the unique spirit that makes Austin the place we love to call home. Trail of Lights celebrated 61 years this December! Approx. 15,000 attendees / night Trail of Lights Austin's New Year - District 9 Austin's annual free New Year celebration presented by Visit Austin and the City of Austin, live at the iconic Auditorium Shores. Live music, concessions, drone show and fireworks. Approx. 15,000 Austin’s New Year QUESTIONS?