Austin Parks & Recreation (PARD) looks forward to working with you on your volunteer projects!  Information about how to register and submit your project proposals is in the email below.  PARD will automatically receive your project proposal as part of the It’s My Park Day online registration, so you do not need to submit a separate volunteer project form like we require throughout the rest of the year.
The project does need to be reviewed, approved and coordinated with the Park Manager for your park.  We want to work with you to make your project a BIG success!  With so many projects taking place on the same day coordinating with everyone takes time.  The earlier the coordination with PARD begins the better and more successful your project will be.  Thirty (30) days notice is preferred, so please register your project or touch base with us asap.
After you register the project we’ll make sure the group leaders and park managers are in touch to coordinate all the details.  If you need ideas from your Park Manager about what needs to be done at the park let us know and we will get you connected with them.
Dear Adopt-a-Park community group,
Because of your commitment to your local park, we wanted to let you know about the upcoming It’s My Park Day, hosted by the Austin Parks Foundation. This is our largest single volunteer event of the entire year – in 2012, more than 2,000 people came out to volunteer in over 70 park-improvement projects. We’d like to see 3,000 volunteers in 2013!
Project registration is OPEN and we need YOU to help lead these projects!
Would you like to get a group of these volunteers into your park? Do you have a project you’d like to see completed in your park? IMPD is made possible because of project “hosts,” volunteers who organize each project.  APF provides the tools, food, volunteers, and training to help you lead an effective project. We even have a small-grants program for additional tools or supplies you might need. Register your project using our online system.
What kinds of projects could you consider??
A recent evaluation of trees in Austin found that mulching existing trees was the single most effective technique for improving the long-term health of our urban forest.  Because of this, we are encouraging park leaders to consider mulching projects in their parks – early March is the perfect time to put down mulch to protect root systems.
Other past projects include:

• Invasive      species removal
• Trail restoration
• Erosion control
• Tree pruning
• Park cleanup
• Wildflower planting
• Ecological      restoration, and more!

Anyone can become a project leader.

Never led an IMPD project before but interested in learning more?
Attend our first-timers orientation session on Saturday, January 26th from 2-3pm. The meeting will be held at the Austin Recreation Center (1301 Shoal Creek Blvd [behind House Field on Lamar Blvd]). RSVP here.
Definitely interested in hosting a project?

• Register      your project using our online system.
• Attend the      orientation for project leaders on Tuesday, February 5th from 6:15 –      7:30pm. Meeting at the Mexican American Cultural Center Auditorium      (600 River Street). RSVP here.

Questions about leading an IMPD project? Email Bill Stout, volunteer manager, at [email protected].
Thanks for your dedication to keeping Austin’s parks beautiful,
Kate Vickery
Program Assistant
AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION
512.477.1566 x6 | [email protected]
P.S. If you have a business that would like to give back by sponsoring IMPD, please email [email protected].
P.P.S. If you have photographs of any of Austin’s parks, please consider contributing them to our online library – upload them directly through our parks database.  All submissions received by August 30, 2013, will be considered for “best photo of the year.” The winner – selected by staff – will receive two three-day passes for Austin City Limits Music Festival in October.
P.P.P.S. APF is looking for storage space for our growing tool collection. These tools are available year-round for park projects, and we need your help finding them a new home. Contact Bill Stout ([email protected]) for more information.