Guide to Activate Undeveloped Parks of Austin Wins Texas Planning Gold Award

The American Planning Association (APA) Texas Chapter today announced the state’s best planning projects, advocates, and communities for 2026 and selected The Guide to Activate Undeveloped Parks of Austin – a collaborative project created by Austin Parks and Recreation, Central Texas Interfaith and Design Workshop Foundation – as the Gold Winner in the Grassroots Initiative Category.  

The Guide to Activate Undeveloped Parks of Austin is a toolkit that captures each community’s vision for activating its neighborhood park before the City is able to fully develop the site through the addition of traditional park amenities. Created to address longstanding barriers to park access and participation, it provides a scalable, community‑led framework that strengthens trust, advances equity, and supports vibrant programming across Austin’s parks. 

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association," said Jesús Aguirre, Austin Parks and Recreation Director. "The Guide to Activate Undeveloped Parks of Austin reflects the power of community partnership and the shared commitment to expanding equitable access to outdoor spaces. Austin Parks and Recreation, Central Texas Interfaith, and the Design Workshop Foundation worked closely to ensure this guide supports residents in shaping vibrant, inclusive parks across our city. This award affirms the importance of listening to community voices and strengthening connections between people and the places where they live, work, and play.” 

The Texas Planning Awards Program recognizes outstanding efforts in planning achievements and planning leadership in Texas. These awards represent the state’s highest planning honors. The Awards Selection Committee evaluated nominees based on originality and innovation, engagement, implementation and effectiveness, quality, and promotion of planning.  

To read more about the 2026 Texas Planning Award categories and recipients, visit texas.planning.org/community-outreach/chapter-awards.  

About the Texas Planning Awards 
The American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning – physical, economic, and social – so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests, and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Ill, and Shanghai, China. For more information, visit its website at www.planning.org. 

About Central Texas Interfaith 
Central Texas Interfaith is a non-partisan, multi-ethnic, multi-issue organization of 43 congregations, public schools, and unions who work together to address public issues that affect the well-being of families and neighborhoods in our community. For more information, visit www.centraltexasinterfaith.org. 

About Design Workshop Foundation
Design Workshop Foundation partners with communities to expand access to design, education, and planning resources. Through collaboration and capacity building, we help turn local vision into lasting impact. For more information, visit designworkshopfoundation.org.