The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) ended the closure of all parks and trails this morning at sunrise. However, in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, PARD will decrease parking access for downtown parks, district parks, and neighborhood parks to increase physical distancing by park and trail users. The decreased parking access is to discourage crowding at parks. In addition, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake will convert to a “one-way” trail to increase physical distancing. These changes will begin today, Monday, April 13, 2020, the full transition to be completed by Friday, April 17.

As always, PARD is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodations will be made to support individuals with mobility impairments for access and use of the parks and trails, including but not limited to multi-directional use of the Ann and Butler Hike and Bike Trail. 

This decision was made in consultation with the Public Health Authority and the City of Austin Equity Office, recognizing the positive benefits parks and trails have on mental and physical health when used while practicing physical distancing.

Parks within bounds of MoPac, Barton Springs Rd., I-35, and 15th St. will all have reduced parking in addition to all District parks and Neighborhood parks with parking lots. Residents can view the PARD parkviewer app to identify parks within these areas.

Signage, gate closure, barricades, and regular patrols will remind the community of the parking closures. Park Rangers will continue to educate and push for compliance by the public.

The City of Austin is grateful to those community members who chose not to go to parks this weekend and follow the Stay Home-Work Safe Order. PARD is implementing this change to increase the safety of the community.

In addition to the parking reductions and one-way adjustment to the Butler Hike and Bike Trail, the following PARD facilities and grounds will remain closed:

• All Recreation Centers
• All Cultural Centers
• All Museums
• All Senior Centers
• All Aquatic Facilities
• Barking Springs/Spillway below Barton Springs Pool
• All Golf Courses. Golf walking is not allowed as of April 6.
• All Tennis Centers
• All Playgrounds
• Zilker Botanical Garden
• Zilker Caretaker House
• Old Bakery & Emporium
• All Special Event facilities
• Emma Long Metropolitan Park Campsites
• Park amenities including, but not limited to: basketball courts, tennis courts, skate parks, playgrounds, disc golf courses, exercise equipment and pavilions.

For more information on park closures, visit www.austintexas.gov/parkclosures. 

For Travis County park closures check here.
 
For more Austin-Travis County updates, visit www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.