Austin is a vibrant, unique, and passionate community. Our city is known for its 300 plus parks and the amazing community members, nonprofits, civic groups, and business partners who help to build and maintain them. The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is dedicated to creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places, and we value your interest in helping us achieve those goals.
The PARD PARKnerships program coordinates the efforts of partners and volunteers. By leveraging resources and talent, we can enhance Austin’s parks and help grow a sense of community and stewardship. Through the PARKnerships program, community members and business partners can adopt their park, participate in volunteer days, propose enhancements at their local park, and donate resources. By working together, we create community!
The PARD Community PARKnership initiative encompasses the following programs:
Parkland Stewardship
PARD has many committed nonprofit partners who assist with coordinating volunteer opportunities on parkland. Check out our partner’s websites to find an opportunity that best fits what you’re looking for!
Adopt-A-Park Program
The success of our parks system depends on the support, assistance, advocacy and enthusiasm of the public as stewards of their parks. The Adopt-A-Park Program helps citizens like you become those stewards through a collaborative partnership between the Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) and Austin Parks Foundation (APF). The goal of this program is to build community pride and ownership around every neighborhood park in Austin.
Community Activated Park Projects
The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department is proud to offer the Community Activated Park Projects program for our neighborhood groups and partners. Community Activated Park Projects (CAPP) provide an opportunity for neighbors, non-profits, community groups and partners to raise funds and in-kind contributions to implement park improvements projects that are in alignment with PARD goals and meet community priorities.
PARD collaborates with community partners to develop and execute park improvements. Learn more about the CAPP program and the steps to propose and fund improvements in your neighborhood park.
PARD PARKners
Non-profit organizations, conservancies, community groups and businesses are invited and encouraged to partner with the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) to enhance and improve parks, increase recreational and cultural opportunities and preserve natural areas in Austin.
At Austin Parks and Recreation we are committed to partnerships that align with our overall mission, vision, values, and provide benefit to the public and the Austin parks system. We actively seek partnerships with non-profit organizations, conservancies and businesses for park development, maintenance, management and programming.
Cities Connecting Children to Nature
Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) is a national initiative that seeks to create more equitable and abundant access to nature in cities through a partnership between The National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families and the Children & Nature Network. CCCN supports robust citywide action plans to implement policy, develop new partnerships, amplify nature-based programming, and create more equitable nature access. The initiative seeks to ensure that a connection to nature becomes an integral part of city priorities, planning and policymaking across a range of areas, including community health and wellness, education, out-of-school time programming, job creation, transportation and land use. Austin is one of 18 cities that is part of the CCCN national cohort.
