Austin is a green oasis in the Central Texas Hill Country. Its world-class park system supports the 11th-largest city and the country’s fastest-growing large metropolitan area.
The city’s natural beauty and creative economy have enticed many companies and people to move to Texas’s capital city. Austin is perhaps best known as the “Live Music Capital of the World” and is home to both the Austin City Limits music series and annual music festival.
As a city that values sustainability and inclusivity, Austin’s parks are a testament to its commitment to a healthier, happier community and respect for protecting and fostering the natural and native environment.
20,000
Acres of land & water
330
Parks
200
miles of trails
49
facilities for recreation, culture, and environment
45
aquatic facilities
172
playgrounds
5
municipal cemeteries
6
golf courses
29
community gardens
PARTNERSHIPS
Since 2018, Austin Parks and Recreation (ARD) Partners have invested more than $21 million in Parkland Dedication Funds, and more than $14 million into the Austin park system since 2021 through capital improvement projects, maintenance, preservation projects, and volunteer programming.
ARD developed the Community PARKnerships Program, which facilitates investments, improvements, and innovative programming on parkland by community members, nonprofits, and business partners.
CLIMATE RESILIENCE
After two record-breaking droughts in the last decade, frequent flash floods, and the catastrophic winter storm, the City of Austin adopted the Austin Climate Equity Plan in 2021, which sets an aggressive goal of equitably reaching net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
It envisions a future where Austin is a thriving, equitable, and ecologically resilient community, and has been implementing these changes to its parks since.
EQUITY
As a city in the southern United States with a difficult history of racial segregation, Austin offers fertile ground for deep exploration into the barriers and opportunities for equity and access.
Today, the parks system is actively addressing this legacy through equity-driven initiatives, including targeted investments, anti-displacement efforts, and programs that expand access to nature while uplifting and celebrating the city’s diverse communities.
Hosting Greater & Greener 2026 provides an opportunity for Austin to showcase its city-within-a-park approach and highlight the importance of parks, trails, and green spaces within walking distance for all residents.
Austin will provide a dynamic and living learning lab for the more than 1,200 Greater & Greener attendees, including urban park leaders, city planners, design professionals, and advocates from around the world.
When you attend Greater & Greener 2026, you will be exploring the City of Austin through our Weekend Tours, Mobile Workshops, and Special Events.
If you arrive before the conference or stay afterwards, explore the Visit Austin website for the “Top Ten Things to Do,” restaurants, attractions, and more.
