People of the Parks

Fall is right around the corner, and that means one thing: it’s almost time for ACL Fest! On this month’s pod, Katie and Suzy talk all things ACL and explain how the festival (and more specifically, festival attendees) supports our city’s parks to the tune of *millions* of dollars. Be sure to listen to the end of the episode for a VERY special surprise (trust us, you don’t want to miss this.) Happy listening!

She’s baaaaaack! On this month’s episode of People of the Parks, Suzy is reunited with her fellow yapper as Katie returns from maternity leave. They are joined by APF’s event planner extraordinaire, Caitlyn Denham, to talk all things Party for the Parks - APF’s annual fundraiser that’s happening on the ACL Festival grounds on October 7th. Get your tickets now at party.austinparks.org and use the promo code “POTP26” to get $50 off!

The People of the Parks podcast is back this month and we're talking all things advocacy – a timely topic as Austin is currently in a bond cycle! Suzy and Taylor are joined by first-time guest, Advocacy Manager, Alyssa Vargas. Together, they dig into why advocacy is important, where the bond stands and what's next. Once you're done listening, head to austinparks.org/blog to learn more about how the bond process works and what you can do to help our parks right now. 

This month the People of the Parks podcast gets down with the data! Suzy is joined by Taylor and RETURN guest, Austin Parks Foundation CEO, Colin Wallis. The Trust for Public Land ParkScore dropped last month, and they discuss where Austin ranks, what it means and how APF (and other outdoor nonprofits) are helping to move the needle!

This month the People of the Parks podcast gets (slightly) unhinged! Suzy is joined by new stand-in host, Taylor, where they discuss APF's involvement in this summer's Greater & Greener conference, how YOU can help support parks funding right now (austinparks.org/blog) and then wind things down with a little ASMR: Parks Edition🌳 (Suzy's dream IRL)

Spring is in the air…and in the podcast studio! This month the People of the Parks podcast returns with a very special episode featuring APF’s park improvement guru, Katie Robillard, PLA. The gals get the skinny on some of the projects that are currently in the works, why parks take so long to get from start to finish and how APF ensures our environment is protected throughout each of these park improvements. They wrap things up by taking one of their classic left turns to discuss ACL predictions. Happy Earth Month, y’all!

The gals are back and this month, they're getting their hands dirty and digging into volunteering! Fresh off a record-setting It's My Park Day event, they're joined by Senior Volunteer Coordinator Freddy Nieto, who is a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Together, the gang breaks down APF's volunteer program and talks about how you can get involved. Once you're done listening, head to austinparks.org/volunteer to learn more and to join an upcoming event! 

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and love is in the (fresh) air! This month, Suzy and Katie are falling head over heels for all the ways you can celebrate Valentine’s Day in our parks—no matter your relationship status. From swoon-worthy strolls to solo adventures, we’re sharing ideas that prove our parks are the ultimate matchmaker. Plus, the gals will share some exciting new website features, including a new interactive funding map and grant opportunity that illustrate just how much APF loves our parks.

So grab your sweetheart—or your sweet self—and get ready to fall in love with our parks all over again!

A new year is here, and the pod is back and better than ever! This month, the APF gals are resolving to help you with your New Year’s resolutions: whatever they may be, odds are you can get it done at one of Austin’s beautiful parks. Be sure to listen to the end to hear their personal resolutions (which truly run the gamut) and be sure to check out our blog to learn more about the parks they recommend. Happy 2026!
 

Blog: https://austinparks.org/blog/new-years-resolutions/

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the only thing that can make it better is a brand-new episode of People of the Parks: a podcast from Austin Parks Foundation! This month, Katie and Suzy take a trip down memory lane through their year in review and reveal their personal park highlights of 2025. Plus, they share some last-minute holiday gift ideas and celebrate six months of the podcast. From all your friends at APF – thanks for listening, and happy holidays!