A Message from Austin Parks Foundation:
APF gives volunteers the opportunity to make a direct, observable impact on Austins Parks. We guarantee youll go home sweaty, tired, and satisfied.

Austin Parks Foundation Mission Statement:
The Austin Parks Foundation strives to revitalize Austins public parks and trails through partnerships, advocacy and action.

Major Activities and Services:

City maintenance budgets simply cannot keep pace with the needs of Austin’s beloved park system. Austin Parks Foundation’s goal is to involve the community in preserving and improving Austin’s parks and trails. APF provides the tools to let citizens participate in the maintenance and revitalization of parks. Services include Adopt-A-Park assistance, grants large and small, Fiduciary Services, and our Tool Trailer.

APF leads volunteer days throughout the year through our Park-of-the-Month program. Our single biggest volunteer event is our annual Its My Park! Day, to be held April 12, 2008. It’s My Park! Day is a citywide, volunteer led effort to repair and beautify public parks and trails across Austin. Other projects include our Downtown Parks Initiative, a continuing effort to guide and advocate for the programming, preservation and redevelopment of Austin’s historic downtown parks, and our Trails Network, a coalition of citizens, non-profits, and government representatives that advocates for and facilitate the expansion of the trails network in the Austin area.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Park Volunteers do not need special skills. Volunteering is open to all for regular park volunteer events and It’s My Park! Day. Our volunteer page is updated regularly with a variety of opportunities.

Park Volunteers: To attend regular Saturday park improvement events at Shoal Creek Greenbelt
Project Leaders: To plan and host projects for our one-day Its My Park! Day event, April 12.
Its My Park! Day Volunteers: Volunteer at your favorite park on April 12. Register ataustinparks.org.
Park Adopters: Does your neighborhood park need a helping hand? APF can help individuals and groups plan for long term park improvements and maintenance
Internships: Designed for college students interested in exploring non-profit careers
Chess Mentors: Teens or adults interested in teaching/monitoring at our weekly Giant Chess games at Wooldridge Square Park, mentoring young chess players, and doing outreach to local chess clubs
Office administration tasks: Assisting with database maintenance and member mailings
Business/professional consulting: Idea generation and advice regarding APFs programming, Marketing/PR, fundraising, and member recruitment efforts.

Upcoming Events planned for 2008: It’s My Park! Day, April 12: We are currently seeking individuals and groups interested in leading projects on It’s My Park! Day. Please visit our Web site for more information and to sign up as a volunteer.

This one-day volunteer opportunity is now in its sixth year. Last year, 1300 volunteers chose among 43 different park improvement projects offered all over town.

We make hosting the event easy by providing volunteers, t-shirts, snacks, and drinks. As in previous years, we expect the event will receive extensive media coverage, offering an opportunity to promote your on-going projects and mission. Participating organizations will also receive recognition on our website.

Contact Information:
Charlie McCabe or Rosie Weaver
apf@austinparks.org“>email

512-477-1566
701 Brazos St., Suite 170
Austin, TX 78701
For more information about Austin Parks Foundation, visit the APF Web site.

— KUT Staff