Austin Parks and Recreation partners, or PARKners, bridge the gap between public funding and what our parks deserve. Public funding for parks comes from the City of Austin’s General Fund, which also covers more than 10 other departments. Austin Parks and Recreation’s limited budget goes further when we team up with PARKners. In turn, PARKners accomplish more in Austin parks when they collaborate with Austin Parks and Recreation to maximize opportunities and resources.

Shared goals are the foundation of each partnership. PARKners and Austin Parks and Recreation both want the best for Austin parks and park visitors, so coming together in service of that cause helps both parties accomplish their goals.

Working together, Austin Parks and Recreation and PARKners create better outcomes for our parks and our community. Join the ecosystem of park advocates who make Austin parks extraordinary.

Austin's PARKnerships Approach

People visiting Pease Park's globe-shaped treehouse

Pease Park Conservancy (PPC) partnered with the City of Austin on the revitalization of Kingsbury Commons at Pease District Park, including the addition of the award-winning Treehouse. The area reopened in July 2021, and PPC is responsible for its operations and maintenance under the POMA.

Austin Parks and Recreation is nationally recognized for its unique partnership framework. The PARKners program invites everyone who wants to make Austin parks better to collaborate actively with Austin Parks and Recreation. Partnership configurations point each organization to the type of activities that fit their goals and capacity.

Austin Parks & Recreation has fostered a thriving ecosystem of public and private partnerships to leverage community talent and resources to meet the city’s growing demand for parks and recreation services. … My fellow park professionals and I left Austin inspired by the collaboration between the public and private sectors and the community’s dedication to serving all people of Austin.

— Todd Lofgren, then Deputy Director of Portland Parks and Recreation, “Austin Partnerships Thrive” blog post following 2022 City Parks Alliance Park Study Tour in Austin 

The Basis for PARKnerships

Austin has a long history of community organizations supporting the city’s parks. Over the course of decades, the City of Austin increasingly recognized the impact of these partners and the need for a formal partnership framework. In the late 2010s, the City of Austin began taking steps to create that framework.

Austin Parks and Recreation Long Range Plan

In November 2019, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) adopted the Long Range Plan Our Parks, Our Future. This plan acknowledges the important role of partners (page 140):

“Partnerships are a vital part of the work that PARD does on a day-to-day basis and over the long-term implementation of the plan. Park partnerships occur at different scales and may focus on a specific initiative or citywide priority – or may be geographically focused on a park or neighborhood. Many organizations and partners are actively engaged in park-related improvements that touch on the LRP priorities and PARD’s mission.”

The Long-Range Plan directs Austin Parks and Recreation to work with partners on over 20 of the plan’s sub-strategies across all five of its citywide strategies, including:

  • C:  Activate & Enhance Urban Public Spaces. To be successful, this will require a flexible, partnership-centric approach with a blend of PARD programming on non-PARD-owned spaces, and partner programming and maintenance at PARD parkland.
  • D.4: Explore partnership strategies to increase low-income access to PARD programming.
  • E: Optimize & Improve Efficiency of Operations. Leverage partnerships and revenue opportunities to elevate the quality of PARD operations and maintenance while upholding equitable park access and ensuring a sustainable and well-balanced PARD budget.
  • E.5: Develop a clear organizational framework for PARD partnerships that is equitable, supportive of PARD’s mission and goals, and is regularly evaluated to track and monitor impacts and outcomes.

Sub-strategy E.5 called for the development of a partnership framework and partner agreements. The PARKners Program has completed some of E.5’s sub-strategies and continues to work on the others: 

  • Develop a clear organizational framework for PARD partnerships that is equitable, supportive of PARD’s mission and goals, and is regularly evaluated to track and monitor impacts and outcomes.
  • Develop a partnership assessment and framework for many types of partnership models and expand FTE staff to create greater support and oversight of the partnership agreements.  
  • Use the LRP needs assessment and park condition assessments to match up partners with priority areas of need or specific parks in need of volunteer support.  
  • Develop goals and metrics to evaluate partnership impact and share results within the community.
  • Communicate areas of need and opportunity with existing and potential partners.
  • Provide opportunities for partners to engage with each other and find potential ways to work together where interests and areas of high need overlap.
  • Consider an advanced donor recognition program that provides structure and opportunities for enhanced public-private partnership and financial support from the Austin community.

Austin City Council Resolutions

On March 12, 2020, City Council passed Resolution No. 20200312-041. Sponsored by five Council members, the resolution directed the City Manager to work with parks nonprofit partners to create opportunities for partnership agreements that benefit the community and to outline roles and responsibilities between those groups and the Parks and Recreation Department.

On November 21, 2024, City Council passed Resolution No. 20241121-072. Sponsored by five Council members, the resolution directed the City Manager to explore additional funding strategies to sustain City parks, including Public/Private Partnerships (PPPs) and expanding the Community PARKnerships Program. The City Manager was further directed to provide an annual report with the following Park Partnerships content:

  • A list of existing public-private partnership or PARKnership agreements, as well as the status of any partnerships or agreements under negotiation; and
  • An annual report on the value created by each partnership, including capital contributions, operating or production expenses assumed, and volunteer service hours provided
Partnership Configurations
Chart image has link to readable PDF version

Austin Parks and Recreation is fortunate to collaborate with PARKners doing all kinds of important work across hundreds of diverse parks.

Although no two partnerships are exactly alike, all partnerships fall into four categories, or partnership configurations. Austin Parks and Recreation created these configurations to ensure that all park advocates have a clear path to partnership. These configurations help us be transparent and equitable in our work. They provide consistent standards and processes so that we can collaborate fairly and efficiently.

Partnership A: Partnerships for Public Purpose

Partnership A is a formal, long-term collaboration for the operation, maintenance, and programming of specific parkland between an organization and the City of Austin. These partners take on significant responsibilities through long-term agreements with the City. The Community PARKnerships program manages these partnerships on behalf of the City.

  • Eligibility review process: Partnership A requires a formal partnership review process. Only nonprofits with a current tax-exempt status are eligible. An organization must meet the City of Austin’s strict performance and reporting criteria before the City of Austin will consider entering into a Partnership A agreement.
  • Compliance & collaboration: The City of Austin follows standard monitoring procedures for Partnership A agreements to ensure compliance. Regular communication between the City of Austin and the partner not only provides close oversight but also allows strong collaboration.
  • Agreements: Since 2022, the City of Austin has formalized any new Partnership A collaboration with a Park Operations and Maintenance Agreement (POMA). POMAs typically take at least two years to develop.

Partnership B: Project / Program Partnerships

Partnership B is a long-term collaboration between a nonprofit and Austin Parks and Recreation to bring physical improvements and/or programming to parks. The partner is not restricted to a single park or facility. Instead, the Partnership B framework allows partners to work more easily across parks.

  • Eligibility: Only nonprofits with a current tax-exempt status are eligible for Partnership B. Partners must meet additional requirements before performing certain kinds of work. For example,  coordination of volunteers on parkland requires appropriate insurance coverage, policies and procedures reviewed by the City of Austin, and training in Austin Parks and Recreation standards and processes.
  • Agreements: Partners may or may not have a long-term agreement with the City of Austin. Partnership B agreements typically take at least 2 years to develop. Agreements related to certain projects or programs are more common.  

Partnership C: Neighborhood / Community Partnerships

Partnership C is a long-term collaboration between a community group and Austin Parks and Recreation to celebrate and care for a specific park or facility. “Friends of” groups help keep these spaces active, vibrant, healthy, and beautiful. The Partnership C framework creates opportunities for community groups to volunteer in the park, access resources to improve the park, and hold public events.  

Partnership C community groups may steward parks, recreation centers, cultural centers, and other Austin Parks and Recreation facilities.  

Optionally, partners can participate in one of Austin Parks and Recreation’s community group programs. These programs have additional requirements for partners and provide them with additional resources and opportunities.

* Community PARKnerships does not manage the Community Gardens Program. The Community Gardens website has more information about how the program works and how you can get involved.

Partnership D: One-Time or Emerging Partnerships

Partnership D is a collaboration between an organization and Austin Parks and Recreation on a project, program, or event on parkland. These partners identify an Austin Parks and Recreation initiative that excites them and reach out to get involved. The partnership usually lasts only for the duration of the project but may evolve into a longer-term collaboration.

Any kind of organization is welcome, including businesses, and civic groups that are not eligible for other forms of partnership.

Our PARKners

Austin Parks and Recreation is grateful to have more than 150 actively engaged partners as of July 2025.

Partnership A (4 PARKners)

Partnership B (12 PARKners)

Partnership C

Austin Parks and Recreation partners with more than 100 community groups that steward specific parks or facilities. These PARKners include Adopt-A-Park and “Friends of” groups, hobby and sports clubs, parent-teacher associations, and neighborhood associations.

Partnership D (4 PARKners)

PARKnerships Impact

Just as our PARKners take many forms, the impact of their partnerships with Austin Parks and Recreation takes many forms.

  • Volunteers: Partners coordinate volunteer work on parkland, providing opportunities for community members to give back to parks safely and effectively. In fiscal year 2024, 24,312 volunteers contributed 75,424 hours of work on parkland, worth more than $2.5 million.  
  • Environmental stewardship: Partners make a huge environmental impact in Austin parks. Powered by a mix of volunteers, staff, and specialized contractors, partners collaborate with the City of Austin to develop natural resource guidelines, create and execute long-term restoration plans, remove invasive species, plant and care for native trees and plants, prevent erosion, create and maintain green stormwater infrastructure, and more. In fiscal year 2024, partners planted 14,374 trees & saplings and picked up 251,218 pounds of trash, about the same weight as 10 school buses
  • Physical improvements: Partners of all kinds make physical improvements to Austin parks through the Community Activated Park Projects program or through formal agreements between the City of Austin and the partner for development and implementation.
  • Maintenance: Partners of all kinds help the City of Austin maintain our parks. Some nonprofits under Partnership A agreements operate and maintain specific parks to City of Austin standards or better, which frees up the City of Austin’s limited resources for underserved parks. Volunteers take on maintenance projects coordinated by Partnership A and B nonprofits in collaboration with Austin Parks and Recreation.
  • Programming: Partners put on more than 700 free public events at Austin parks in fiscal year 2024. Over 120,000 participants attended, enjoying story times, fitness classes, farmers’ and artisans’ markets, puppet shows, heritage celebrations, moving screenings, live music, and more.
  • Education: Partners teach Austinites of all ages about ecology, park stewardship, art, history, and more. The online resources, print materials, and parkland signage they create makes valuable information more accessible to the public. Live opportunities include school field trips, lectures and trainings, nature identification walks, and art and history tours.  
  • Art: Partners bring all kinds of visual artwork to Austin parks and recreational spaces for the public to enjoy. In fiscal year 2024, partners facilitated more than 20 pieces on parkland in collaboration with the City of Austin. Austin Parks and Recreation works with partners and artists to make sure that all proposed pieces will be feasible, safe, and well maintained, and the Art in Public Places program handles artistic considerations.
  • Community engagement: Austin Parks and Recreation and our partners center community engagement in our work on parkland. With support from the City of Austin, partners collect community input to shape projects and keep community informed as they progress.

Our 2023 In the Parks blog series further explores the ways that PARKners serve parks.

The FY24 Community PARKnerships Impact Report details work in the PARKners Program last year.

Partner with Us

Two smiling volunteers plant a sapling

Photo courtesy of TreeFolks, Erika Rich Photography

Austin Parks and Recreation partners with groups that have a passion for improving Austin parks. If your organization wants to make Austin’s parks better, we want to partner with you!

Eligibility

Organizations of all kinds can become PARKners. Austin Parks and Recreation does not have minimum requirements for organization type, capacity, or experience, although these factors do affect how the partnership works (see Partnership Configurations).

Austin Parks and Recreation does require that all PARKners and their work:

  • Align with the mission and vision of Austin Parks and Recreation
  • Follow City of Austin policies and procedures
  • Meet or exceed City of Austin standards
  • Represent the interests of the community members who use the park(s)
  • Provide community benefit

Accordingly, PARKners and their work may not include:

  • Promotion or advertisement of commercial products, services, or businesses
  • Personal financial gain or personal profit for individuals involved
  • Programs, events, and/or messaging that is directly affiliated with partisan political campaigns, candidates, or advocacy groups
  • Involvement in or promotion of illegal activities, unethical behavior, or actions that go against Austin Parks and Recreation’s ethical standards
  • Activities or programs that are focused solely on religious worship, proselytization, or instruction in religious doctrine
  • Hate speech, discriminatory content, or activities that promote intolerance or harm to any group or individual
  • Dangerous or potentially harmful activities that could pose a risk to participants or attendees

PARKners also may not charge fees, operate concessions, or solicit donations on parkland without a formal partnership agreement that explicitly grants those rights to fund a PARKner’s operations and maintenance obligations.

Benefits for PARKners

Partnership with Austin Parks and Recreation boosts an organization’s impact by providing the opportunities and support they need to work in Austin parks. The PARKners Program creates mechanisms for PARKners to propose ideas, get City of Austin approval, and make those ideas happen. We facilitate communication and collaboration between PARKners and City of Austin staff. We help PARKners refine their plans, navigate City processes, and maximize their impact.

PARKners of all kinds, including those without formal partnership agreements, enjoy access to:

  • Email newsletters with news, resources, opportunities for grants and trainings, and more  
  • Online resource library of reference materials and tools
  • Networking opportunities
  • Summits, trainings, and workshops
  • Amplification of outreach efforts
  • Collaboration with City of Austin staff

Some nonprofit organizations have formal partnership agreements with the City of Austin that grant them additional rights and responsibilities. The City of Austin gives these additional rights to enable partners to fulfill their responsibilities. For example, an organization may be granted the exclusive right to fundraise in a park because they are responsible for the cost of operating and maintaining that park. Learn more in Partnership Configurations.

Getting Started

Austin Parks and Recreation has a path to partnership for every organization. Whether a group is just getting started or building on decades of service in the parks, PARKners program meets each prospective partner where they are.

Every partnership begins as a Partnership C or D.

Steward a Park (Partnership C)

When community members come together to support an Austin Parks and Recreation park or facility, the partnership falls under Partnership C (see Partnership Configurations). We appreciate the community groups that steward and celebrate local parks!

Before forming a new community group, check whether a park or facility has an existing adopter, “friends of” group, or other active partner organization. We recommend searching online and checking the Adopt-A-Park website, which has a map showing every park’s adoption status. There may already be a wonderful team for you to join!

If the park or facility you have in mind is listed as “available for adoption,” check out how to start an adopter group in the Adopt-A-Park Program.  

You may have a park or facility in mind that doesn’t appear to have an existing PARKner and that isn’t adoptable on the Adopt-A-Park list. In that case, please reach out to the Community PARKnerships team to talk about partnership options.

Want to start or join a community garden? Community PARKnerships does not manage the Community Gardens Program, but we encourage you to learn more on the Community Gardens website.

Project Collaboration (Partnership D)

When an organization supports a specific Austin Parks and Recreation program or project, the partnership falls under Partnership D (see Partnership Configurations). We appreciate the organizations that step up to support our work! This partnership can be a one-time collaboration or the first step in a longer-term relationship.

If you’re not already familiar with Austin Parks and Recreation’s mission, vision, and values, check out the department’s “About” page to see how your partnership could support our work. Austin Parks and Recreation’s Long Range Plan Our Parks, Our Future is also a fantastic resource.

If you’ve identified a potential way we could collaborate, reach out to the Community PARKnerships team to pitch how we could team up for public benefit.

Agreements

Most partners team up with Austin Parks and Recreation on projects, programs, and stewardship without formal agreements with the City of Austin. However, some forms of collaboration do require formal agreements.

These agreements are long-term undertakings. An agreement for a capital improvement project on parkland typically takes 6 months to 1 year but may take up to 2 years. Partnership A and B agreements for long-term collaborations between a nonprofit and the City of Austin typically take at least 2 years.

The following factors affect the time required for the development and execution of agreements.

  • Stakeholders: At minimum, every agreement will involve Austin Parks and Recreation and the City of Austin Law Department. Depending on scope and the park(s) in question, agreements may require the involvement of other stakeholder departments, which can take more time.
  • Modifications to standard terms: The City of Austin has standard terms and language for partnership agreements. Negotiating any changes to that pre-approved content takes additional time.
  • Approval process: Every agreement must be approved by the Austin Parks and Recreation director and the City of Austin Law Department. Partnership A and B agreements and any agreement that involves City funding also goes to Parks and Recreation Board and any other relevant boards and commission and must be approved by City Council.
  • Other agreements in progress: Austin Parks and Recreation and the City of Austin Law Department have limited staffing. When other agreements are in development, a partner may need to wait until the City’s capacity allows for new agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between a partner and donor? How can I donate to parks?

Partners and donors both provide valuable support to Austin parks.

In a partnership, an organization collaborates with Austin Parks and Recreation for community benefit. Both parties contribute resources toward a shared goal. These resources include not only funds and materials but also time and expertise.

Donations provide community benefit without being part of a larger collaboration. Donating is an easy way for individuals or organizations to make a difference in parks, green spaces, and vital programming. Learn more about donations and other forms of support on the Support Austin Parks page.

Will nonprofits be taking over parkland? Will it be privatized?

No. Parkland belongs to the City of Austin and to our community.

Some of our partners have formal Partnership A agreements with the City of Austin to lead operations, maintenance, and programming of specific parks. However, the City of Austin will always own the land and continue its work there in collaboration with partners. Austin Parks and Recreation manages these partnerships to ensure that both the City of Austin and the partner organizations are fulfilling the terms of their agreements.

Are there organizations that have park-related agreements with the City of Austin outside of the PARKners program?

Yes, the City of Austin and Austin Parks and Recreation have many park-related agreements that do not fall under the PARKners program.  

PARKnerships are collaborations for public benefit. PARKners and Austin Parks and Recreation work together to improve parks for everyone. That collaboration may or may not involve a formal agreement.

The City of Austin has formal agreements related to parkland that are more transactional, including:

  • Lease, usage and license agreements
  • Special events permits and agreements
  • Contractual obligation and service agreements  
  • Concession contracts