05-1: UPDATED Director's Update, September 2026 — original pdf

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AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S UPDATE September 2026 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. Ensure Parkland Offers Relief from Urban Life Community Recreation Division Turner-Roberts Recreation Center Weekly Adult Yoga sessions have begun at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center, averaging 5–7 participants every Tuesday. Sessions improve flexibility, build core strength, and enhance overall balance while offering a peaceful, supportive environment for all members. Dittmar Recreation Center - N3XT Athletics Program This fall, N3XT Athletics began weekly youth basketball clinics on Tuesdays for ages 5–8 and 9–12, growing to 25 participants. Dittmar Recreation Center also added weekly Youth Futsal contract classes with Texas Football Academy on Fridays, featuring instruction and scrimmages. South Austin Recreation Center Varsity Generation Volleyball brought together around 20 adults aged 50 and older every Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at South Austin Recreation Center. The program provided a fun, social, and low-impact way to stay active and connected. Natural Resources Division Community Gardens Updates New Team Member Newly Permitted Expansion Louis Keller, Culture & Arts Education Specialist Grand Meadow Community Garden North Oaks Community Garden  Community Access  Outreach  Volunteer Stewardship Partners: Austin Parks Foundation Funded Fruitful Commons Fiscal Sponsor Partners: Kaboom Grant Workdays Begin: October 17 Park Planning Division Eilers (Deep Eddy) Neighborhood Park - New Concept Plan Underway • The planning process for the park (next to Deep Eddy Pool) kicked off this summer, with the draft plan anticipated to be complete Winter 2027. • RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture selected as the project consultant. • • • are three There engagement planned. The Survey closed on September 14. rounds of community first Community Three pop-up events were held in August and small group discussions in September. Funding provided by Austin Parks and Recreation and Friends of Deep Eddy. The EMS building and Deep Eddy Pool facility are outside of the project scope Park Planning and PARKnerships Division Ramsey Neighborhood Park Playground Ribbon Cutting • Held August 28, with Council Member Marc Duchen and former Council Member Alison Alter in attendance. • Austin Parks Foundation led project that included an upgrade to the play structure for ages 5 through 12, new play components, shaded swings and improvements to the safety surfacing. • Funding was also provided by the Rosedale Neighborhood Association and the office of Council District 10. Credit: Austin Parks Foundation Park Planning and PARKnerships Division Grand Meadow Neighborhood Park Phase I Ribbon Cutting • Held September 15, with Council Member Vanessa Fuentes and State Representative Lulu Flores in attendance • Other partners include the Friends of Grand Meadow & Fruitful Commons. • Community Garden installation and Food Forest planned for Fall 2026. • Phase I improvements include trails, walkways, nature play and a pavilion. Recreation Services Division Adaptive Softball Tournament On Friday, September 11, McBeth Adaptive Softball’s BatX of Austin hosted a four-team community tournament at Krieg Softball Complex with players, families, and community spectators in attendance. Fall baseball Delwood Sports Fall Season Opening season began on Delwood’s September 12 with the newly installed shade structure over the grandstands, and remodeled concession stand. Improvements completed by the Operations & Maintenance and Park Development teams. Zilker 351 Collaborative Partnership MOU Update Zilker 351 Collaborative Partnership MOU Update Finalized and signed April 2026 • • • Council alignment: Supports Council direction to strengthen nonprofit partnerships and leverage additional resources for the parks system (Resolutions 20200312-041 and 20241121-072). Purpose: Establishes a nonbinding framework for collaboration between APR and Zilker 351 to improve and enhance Zilker Park for community benefit. Partnership framework: Documents shared objectives, roles, and opportunities to leverage external resources. All activities remain subject to City policies and APR procedures. • Activities to date: Tree plantings, invasive species removal, volunteer stewardship, and establishment of a wildflower meadow. Slide from Spring 2026 Update to PARB QUESTIONS?