Austin Parks and Recreation

Person walking a dog on a paved trail by a river lined with trees

Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez Recreation Center

Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center

About

Address:  2407 Canterbury St. Austin, TX 78702 See Map
Hours:  Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Phone:  512-978-2399

The original land on which Mendez Recreation Center is located was acquired by a bond purchase in 1933. The present center opened in 1972 and was renamed after Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez, a pillar of East Austin and former program specialist. The existing facility was built in 1972 through matching funds from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and Model Cities funds. The facility includes a main building, playground, outdoor stage, tennis court, covered outdoor basketball court, picnic tables, and is located just off the Hike & Bike Trail. Satellite facilities adjacent to Festival Beach include tennis courts and lighted ball fields.

The Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez Recreation Center offers a wide variety of programs for youth, adults, seniors as well as fun community events throughout the year. Youth programs include After School Program, Girl Scouts (Troop 2407), youth sport clinics and leagues, Toddler sport programs, out-of-school-time camps, summer camp and more! Adult programs include a FREE Seniors program for 50+ adults, Coed and women’s kickball, sport leagues and tournaments, ceramics classes and a FREE core exercise class. Mendez Recreation Center also offers Teen Camp for teens ages 12-15 during the summer. Community events include Movie under the Stars during the summer, Community Easter Egg Hunt, Cinco De Mayo Fiesta, 4th of July Celebration, Community Halloween Carnival, Dog Extravaganza, Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Night Before Christmas with Santa and Youth Valentines Dance. One event every month to bring the community together for a good time at the park!

Online Registration

 

Forms & Documents

Programs

Rental, About Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez and Staff Information

    Facility and Grounds Rental Information
    About Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez

    The Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez Recreation Center was named to honor a pillar of East Austin, Rudy Mendez. Learn more about the process and about Rudy.

    Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez, born in Austin in 1944, studied dance and performing arts in New York and Spain. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chile and Costa Rica, touring with each country's national ballet company and developing performing arts curriculum and programs for youth. In 1978, he returned to Austin and founded the Ballet East Dance Company to provide a platform for young choreographers and dancers and to develop vigorous outreach to Black and Hispanic communities in East Austin. From 1978 to 2000, Mr. Mendez worked for the Parks and Recreation Department as a program specialist at Metz Recreation Center. In 1989, he developed the city-wide program "Dare to Dance," recognized nationally. Mr. Mendez also created the Folkloric Dance and Mentoring Program to encourage students of living in East Austin to graduate high school. Rudy Mendez died in 2019.

    RudyMendez
    Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez
    Staff
    • Spring Fling at Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center

      Spring Fling

    • Halloween Carnival at Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center

      Halloween Carnival

    • Winter Basketball at Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center

      Winter Basketball

    • Tiny Tot Program at Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center

      Tiny Tots Program

    • Night Before Christmas Break at Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center

      Night Before Christmas Break

    • Metz Splash Pad at Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center

      Metz Splash Pad

    • Playground at Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center

      Playground

    Watch Videos

    Center Tour
    Hello From Rodolfo "Rudy" Mendez Recreation Center