Outdoors in Austin

Here's how to give back to Austin's most beloved parks, trails, and more

It's My Park Day is Saturday, November 2.

Photo courtesy of Austin Parks Foundation

On Saturday, November 2, thousands of people are expected to converge upon dozens of parks for Austin Parks Foundation's increasingly popular It's My Park Day event.

Volunteer activities range from tree mulching and habitat restoration to trail maintenance and cleanups at parks, trails, and greenbelts throughout the city, including the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Shoal Creek, Balcones Park, Bouldin Creek, and Mount Bonnell.

There are opportunities for almost anyone to participate, says APF senior program manager Kathleen Barron. “We encourage project leaders to have a variety of different kinds of activities, some that are labor intensive and some that are a lighter lift, and things that kids can do. There are tons of projects for families. We can accommodate just about anybody,” she says.

The 15-year-plus tradition offers a unique opportunity to get to know Austin’s vast park system while assisting in essential tasks.

“People get introduced to places they didn’t know about,” says Barron. “People enjoy it so much and feel so good about the work they do. You see a tangible, visible impact after three hours.”

In 2019, APF will complete its most large-scale renovation projects ever in a single year, and It’s My Park Days help make that possible by freeing up time and money normally spent on basic up-keep. The spring 2019 edition drew more than 3,000 volunteers who worked on nearly 100 projects and contributed more than $200,000 worth of labor.

Volunteers can sign up for specific park projects here, and those who pre-register receive a free T-shirt designed by local artist Mila Sketch. After your volunteer shift, head to one of the many restaurants, breweries, and businesses offering specials for IMPD volunteers. Participating organizations include ShakeShack, P. Terry’s, Taco Ranch, MezzeMe, Peached Tortilla, and Galaxy Café, and, new this year, area breweries including Independence Brewery and Oskar Blues Brewery are hosting volunteer appreciation parties.

Founded in 1992, Austin Parks Foundation (APF) works to make Austin’s public parks, trails, and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy, and financial support. It’s My Park Day is its flagship volunteer event.

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MESSAGE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE

Austin theater auctions off chance to write message on iconic marquee

Paramount Theatre/Instagram

The Paramount Theatre is auctioning off the chance to share a holiday message on its marquee.

Austinites craving the limelight might get the chance to see their name in lights — or at least a personalized holiday message — illuminated on one of Austin’s most historic marquees.

As part of the Austin Theatre Alliance’s final 2020 auction to raise funds for the Paramount and Stateside theaters, the nonprofit is offering up an array of unusual and very “Austintatious” items for bid, including the chance to share a customized holiday message on the iconic Paramount Theatre marquee.

The auction item is one of several dozen currently up for bid through ATA’s online holiday auction, which runs through December 11.

With a starting bid of $1,500, the Paramount marquee message is one of the pricier items in the auction, but it may be well worth the glory, as the winning bidder can treat all of Austin to a two-line, 80-character custom holiday message that will be professionally photographed and live on the marquee for a minimum of four hours. (It should be noted that the chosen message is subject to review. After all, this is a nonprofit theater marquee, not the infamously sassy El Arroyo sign.)

Having to cancel or reschedule hundreds of planned shows because of COVID-19 concerns, the Paramount Theatre has had a particularly rough year but recently reopened at 25 percent capacity for limited engagements, like its Holiday Film Series, which is currently underway. Funds raised from the auction enable the ATA, which manages the Paramount and Stateside, to reach Central Texas students through virtual programs, employ venue staff, and help the historic theaters survive the pandemic.

In addition to the Paramount marquee message item, the auction also includes other perfectly weird items befitting a homegrown Austin event, like Matt Lankes photos of Willie Nelson playing chess and the late, great Billy Joe Shaver looking contemplative while perched on a bridge in Waco; and several autographed guitars, including one commemorative acoustic guitar signed by 10 of Austin’s most notable musicians, Ruthie Foster, Carrie Rodriguez, and Tameca Jones among them.

Of course, there is no lack of booze-forward packages, hotel stays, and artist-signed prints also up for grabs. But true lovers of the Paramount Theatre will find the item with the highest opening bid ($5,000) steals the show: a private catered dinner for four on the Paramount stage.

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