Park Study Tour: Austin, TX

Join us for the next park study tour, a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore and examine a parks and recreation system in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country.

Through a carefully-curated itinerary in partnership with Austin Parks & Recreation and The Trail Conservancy, participants will investigate how Austin leverages resources and partnerships to meet its growing demand for access, equity, programming, and connectivity. Attendees will learn how Austin, with its 300+ parks, 225+ miles of trails, and 67 community gardens, provides high-quality parks and programs to all of its residents despite such explosive growth.

Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department has a rich and growing network of nonprofit partners assisting in the design, development, and programming of its parks. Tour participants will learn about Austin’s innovative approaches to tackling complex equity issues and histories of under-told stories. The tour maximizes networking opportunities with fellow park professionals while hearing from a diverse mix of local voices.

Thursday, 11/3

Early afternoon Optional tour of KOMPAN US HQ and visit to Walnut Creek playground
5:00 PM Welcome at the hotel
5:45-6:00 PM Walk from hotel via The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail to Capital Cruises Boat Launch on Lady Bird Lake
6:00-8:00 PM Meet & Greet BBQ, Beverages & Boat Ride on Lady Bird Lake Boat Tour

Friday, 11/4

7:30 AM Bus departs hotel + Orientation
8:00-8:45 AM Breakfast at Rosewood Neighborhood Park Dolores Duffie Recreation Center
- Opening Session: Cultural History of Rosewood, Equity Assessment, Placemaking Efforts
9:00-9:15 AM Notes for Notes Recording Studio
9:45-10:15 AM Tour Patterson Neighborhood Park
10:45-11:30 AM Oakwood Cemetery and Chapel
12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch at Camacho Activity CenterFocus on Natural Resources, Programs, and Grassroots Organizing
- Panel lunch discussion: Cities Connecting Children to Nature, Green School Parks, Park Ranger Programming, GAVA – Go! Austin/Vamos!
1:00-2:00 PM Kayaking, Canoeing, (optional) or Walking Tour East side of Holly Power Plant Lakefront Trail and Area
4:30-5:30 PM Waterloo Greenway Park Tour
- Focus on Innovative Partnerships and Programming
5:30 PM Walk to Symphony Square
6:00 – 8:00 PM Reception Buffet Dinner Symphony Square

Saturday, 11/5

8:00 AM Walk to Republic Square Park
8:30-9:30 AM Tour of park, Farmers Market
9:30-10:00 AM Shoal Creek Trail – Walk along Town Lake from Republic Square to Central Library
- Focus on Partnerships and Natural Resources
10:00 AM Central Library – Rest Stop and Refill
10:15-10:45 AM Walk to Seaholm Intake and Waterfront Shoal Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park
- Focus on partnerships
11:00 AM-12:15 PM Pease Park + Lunch
12:30 PM Barton Springs Pool + Zilker Park
- Focus on Historic Preservation and Natural ResourcesZilker Park Tour and Overview of Vision Plan
1:45-2:45 PM Alliance Children’s Garden/Auditorium Shores
2:45-3:00 PM Walk to Stevie Ray Vaughn Statue, Fannie Davis Gazebo
3:00-4:00 PM Group Recap, Wrap-up and Reflections

Park Partnerships

Austin’s robust cadre of park and trail partners are creating unique and sustainable approaches to cross-sector partnerships. Learn about effective partnership advancements, such as the PARKnership Program, whereby community members and business partners can adopt their park, participate in volunteer days, propose enhancements at their local parks, and donate resources.

Natural Spaces and Greenbelts

Learn how Austin is protecting its natural features and connecting its communities via trails and gardens as part of its new long-range plan. See first-hand how Austin ensures that every child across the entire city has opportunities to engage with nature.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Gain knowledge about the city’s creative, data-driven approach to provide access to parks for everyone and the associated challenges of serving diverse residents with differing interests and income levels in order to achieve the city’s ambitious equity goals.

Historic Preservation and Re-Interpretation

Discover Austin’s diverse programming through a lens that explores the city’s history of segregation by way of its parks and public spaces. As the city grapples with its difficult history and its rapid growth, it aims to provide access and programming for all by learning from its past while being proactive about addressing gentrification, equity gaps, and homelessness in the future.