Austin-Wide 'It's My Park Day' Beautification Effort Slated

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Parks Foundation officials are gearing up for the nonprofit's biggest citywide event on Saturday: The "It's My Park Day" during which thousands of residents will descend on the city's recreation areas with beautification in mind.

The event returns Saturday, Nov. 4, for the second time this weekend. Numerous residents will gather to help improve and transform parks, trails and greenbelts throughout the city. Volunteer projects include city-approved mulching, root collar clearing, habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and parks/creek cleanups.

This past spring, some 3,200 volunteers logged a collective 10,000 hours of labor at nearly 100 projects across Austin, officials said. Austin Parks Foundation officials noted that's the equivalent of seven park maintenance workers toiling full time for a year, representing an investment of more than a quarter-million dollars for Austin's parks and green spaces.

The effort involves more than 80 different parks, greenbelts, and trails throughout the city, including Zilker Park, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Shoal Creek, Dick Nichols District Park, Waller Creek, Bouldin Creek, and Mount Bonnell.

Community members are encouraged to volunteer for specific park improvement projects happening across Austin on It’s My Park Day. For more information and to register, click here. Hours vary according to the project selected. For a full list of parks projects and hours, click here.

Volunteers' altruism will be rewarded with several restaurants offering discounted meals for their work. JuiceLand, Shake Shack, Galaxy Cafe, Zocalo Cafe, and Baby Greens will be offering freebies or discounts to volunteers wearing their volunteer t-shirt on Saturday. Special offers for volunteers include the following:

• Shake Shack: both locations (South Lamar and the Domain) will be offering a free order of fries with a purchase
• JuiceLand: local favorite JuiceLand will be offering a 10% off discount as well as a free shot of yerba mate’ at 2 of their locations -- Sonesta (13096 U.S. 183 SB BUILDING A) and Braker Ln (10721 RESEARCH BLVD #100.)
• Galaxy Cafe: All locations of Galaxy cafe will be offering 2 for 1 entrees for customers who dine-in.
• Zocalo Cafe: will also be offering 2 for 1 entrees for customers that dine-in.
• Baby Greens: will be offering buy one, get one free for regularly priced salads and wraps (excludes Saturday special).

>>> Images courtesy Austin Parks Foundation