12-1: Director's Report, February 2026 — original pdf
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AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S UPDATE February 2026 Recreation Services Division Summer Camp Registration Families who pre -qualified through the APR Financial Assistance registered for camps Saturday, January 31 st through Friday, February 6th. There were 5,675 enrollments within APR & AACME summer camp programs to youth with the greatest need of care. Youth Program Scholarships Through generous donations and support from Austin Parks Foundation, APR awarded 650 Youth Scholarships. Each child received $700.00 to be used towards program registrations. Recreation Services Division Ab ilit ie s in Act io n : Co m m u n it y Pla y Held on February 4 th at Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center, Austin Police Department cadets and over 100 adults with disabilities came together for a day of recreation. Cadets also received disability awareness training to promote respectful and inclusive interactions. Adaptive Valentine’s Day Dance Party This adaptive event held on February 13, at Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center brought over 200 participants with disabilities of all ages to celebrate through dance and friendship! Community Recreation Division Delores Duffie Recreation Center Thursday, February 13th, afterschool Dance Club prepares for its Annual Black History Month Program on Friday, February 27th. Hosted by the Delores Duffie after school program participants to celebrate black history month through a showcase for parents, guardians, family and friends. – Varsity Generation Dittmar Recreation Center Programming Is growing Since December, the Varsity Generation group has seen increased participation with the introduction of new activities, including Monday Mile group walks, knitting, weekly crafts, and daily board games. Exercise classes —Fun Fitness, Chair Zumba, Zumba, and Line Dancing —now attract 45 to 50 participants each and are offered Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Natural Resources Division Summer Camp Enrollment Success • Camacho Activity Center Summer Camp: 98% Capacity • Austin Nature & Science Center : 92% of Openings Filled • Teen Programs : Over 75% Spots Filled • Overall : Highest Total Enrollment Exhibit Hall Renovation • Friends of Austin Nature & Science Center secured $50K grant from Austin Parks Foundation with work complete in February 2026. • Camacho Activity Center hosted an adaptive paddle to clean up the water way. Over 300 pounds of trash was removed from the lagoon . Aquatic Division Aquatic Maintenance Has completed several key repairs and installations across multiple facilities. At Dottie Jordan, the filter water line break was repaired. Big Stacy received a new hot water well filter and inline strainer. Colony Park restrooms received infrared heaters, improving comfort and usability during colder months. Barton Springs The annual Spring Clean is scheduled for February 23 through March 13, during which skimmer removal and dredging of silt and sediment near the downstream dam will take place. Instructional Swim Programing, Marketing and Public Pools As of February 12th, we have 344 lifeguards ready to work and 239 total lifeguard applicants. Montopolis and Northwest are nearing substantial completion; with the goal of opening both facilities for the summer season. Park Development Division Po o l Pr o je ct Up d a t e s Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Rehabilitation at Barton Springs Pool • Rotunda and exhibit reopening expected in late Spring 2026 • Sh owe rs, re stro o m s a n d m o st o f th e p a rkin g lo t h a s b e e n o p e n e d to th e p u b lic sin ce Octo b e r 2025. • Pro je ct is exp e cte d to b e LEED Go ld ce rtifie d ! Montopolis and Beverly Sheffield Northwest Pools • Co n stru ctio n e stim a te d co m p le tio n Spring 2026 • Gra n d o p e n in g Su m m e r 2026 Parque Zaragoza Bathhouse • Co n stru ctio n co m p le te d Nove m b e r 2025 • Will b e o p e n fo r summer pool season ! Photos: Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse Exhibit (top) and Montopolis Pool (bottom) getting ready for summer Historic Preservation and Tourism Montopolis Historic School • An open house was hosted by AACME on February 17 • APR staff gave an oral history and announced the school’s National Register of Historic Places nomination. Henry G. Madison Cabin • Austin Parks Foundation hosted a celebration of the renovation on Feb 19, fresh off it’s Preservation Texas Honor Award win. Photo by Martin do Nascimento for KUT QUESTIONS?