Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department (APR) is advancing sustainability and resilience by preparing communities, institutions, and systems to withstand and adapt to climate-related stresses—from extreme heat and drought to floods, wildfires, and winter storms. Recognizing that climate change disproportionately affects certain neighborhoods, PARD prioritizes strategies and resources for communities experiencing these impacts “first and worst.”
Grounded in collaborative, interdisciplinary principles, PARD launched the Resilience Hub Pilot Program in 2021 with Austin City Council’s support. Six recreation centers now serve as pilot resilience hubs—five of them in historically redlined communities—offering both daily services and critical support during emergencies. These sites feature energy-efficient upgrades, solar arrays, electric vehicle charging stations, and community gardens, reflecting an integrated approach to sustainability.
The Montopolis Recreation Center, co-located with an Austin Public Health food pantry, is a prime example of this model and will serve as the site for this workshop. Since launching the pilot, PARD has continued to educate and engage residents in emergency preparedness, while highlighting the essential role that parks and recreation play in building community resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Support is provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
