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arial photo of lady bird lake

Apart from being a live music capital and tech industry hub, Austin is known for its abundance of green spaces. Whether you're looking to take a hike, play sports or just relax in nature, before you head downtown, try some of Austin's less-traveled parks!

  1. Mayfield Park
    3805 W. 35th St., Austin, Texas 78703
    If you're looking for a peaceful escape, Mayfield Park is a must-visit. Located near the heart of Aus…
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Our Parks, Our Future Long Range Plan

Did you know that the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has a 10-year plan for the City of Austin's parks system, aiming to guide its development and expansion? 

Adopted by the Austin City Council on November 14, 2019, the plan, titled Our Parks, Our Future, sets a strategic direction for land acquisition, facility improvements, and the creation of new…

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Jesus Aguirre Headshot

The City of Austin has selected Jesús Aguirre as its new Director of the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), effective January 13, 2025. With over 25 years of experience in public parks, nonprofit leadership, and public education, Aguirre brings a wealth of expertise to Austin. He has previously led parks and recreation departments in Washington, D.C., and Seattle, where he developed innovative strategic visions and achieved notable successes in both cities. 

Aguirre’s appointment comes after a national search and commu…

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Kids playing soccer at rec center

Léalo en español.

Soccer is now one of the most popular youth sports in the U.S., with millions of children participating in organized leagues and tournaments. The sport not only promotes health and physical fitness, it instills valuable life skills such as discipline, perseverance, and resilience. It brings people together from diverse backgrounds, fostering inclusivity, understanding, and mutual respect.

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soccer ball and three soccer players shown from thewaist down

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While traditionally known for its live music scene and, more recently, as a growing tech city or technopolis, Austin has also begun flourishing into a vibrant center for soccer enthusiasts. From pickup games and mini pitches in local parks to organized supporter groups for Austin FC, Austin boasts a thriving soccer culture.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department actively promotes soccer through scholarships…

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The Parks and Recreation Department offers opportunities for soccer enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. From structured youth p…

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Boasting 25 dedicated soccer fields, 70 multipurpose fields, and a growing number of mini-pitches, the Austin Parks and Recreation Depart…

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Soccer, called football/futbol in most countries, transcends borders and cultures, connecting people from all walks of life all over the world. In 2021, Austin welcomed its first professional major league team, Austin FC of the Major League Soccer, to much fanfare in Central Texas. Austin FC joins the Dallas Texans and Houston Dynamo FC to become the third Texas Major League Soccer team.

The arrival of the franchise to the live music capital of the world not only provided locals with a professional soccer team to support but also galvanized the city's soccer community. Austin FC's vibrant supporter group, Los Verdes, is a fixture at match…

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Chance Ramirez (they/them/she/her) talks about ceramics, art therapy, and hand building clay art. They also discuss what it's like to participate in the Visual Artist Residency Program at the Dougherty Arts Center in this short video from ATXN's In The Parks series.

Chance Ramirez creating with clay

For more information about the Visual Artist Residency Program visit

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Family watching total eclipse 2024

In preparation for the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse in Austin, the Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Nature and Science Center partnered with NASA to present programming and activities that relate to this historic cosmological event. People from all around the country and local Austinites descended into Zilker Park to take part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, as Austin won’t be in the path of totality again for another 31…