This July, Celebrate "The Power Of” Austin Parks and Recreation

Austin Parks and Recreation joins the National Recreation and Park Association, and park systems across the nation to celebrate Park and Recreation Month throughout the month of July by inviting our community to share their experiences, memories and stories about what parks and recreation mean to them. For more than 40 years, the United States has celebrated Park and Recreation Month, recognizing and celebrating the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals – along with hundreds of thousands of part-time, seasonal workers and volunteers who help maintain and program our parks.

In addition to our many programs, camps and aquatic activities throughout the summer, Austin Park and Recreation boasts a few special events this July including the following three must-attend happenings: the historic 54-hole amateur stroke play tournament dubbed the Firecracker Open at the Lions Municipal Golf Course taking place over the July 4th weekend, as it has annually since 1946; beginning July 7, the 66th annual Pan Am Hillside Summer Concerts feature live music Tuesdays at 6 PM; and finally, July 13 through July 24, the "I Am Parks and Recreation” photo exhibit will be on display at City Hall Atrium in recognition of Austin Parks and Recreation staff.

This year’s Park and Recreation Month theme – “The Power Of…” – celebrates how parks and recreation brings us together through the power of play, nature, belonging and the people in our communities. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of swim lessons, senior activities, recreation center programs, summer camps, fitness classes, basketball, softball and more at an Austin Parks and Recreation location near them! Register now at AustinTexas.gov/ParksOnline.

"As we celebrate Park and Recreation Month, we are affirming that parks are essential to the health, well-being, and vitality of every Austinite," said Jesús Aguirre, Austin Parks and Recreation Director and National Recreation and Park Association Board of Directors Member.

Austin Parks and Recreation and the National Recreation and Park Association encourage everyone who supports parks and recreation to post about why their local park and recreation professionals are important to them on social media with #ThePowerOf. To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks and NRPA.org/July.

About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association, or NRPA, is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and supporters – the catalysts for positive change in service of parks for all, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks and Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.