People of the Parks

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!

Happy National Take a Hike Day from your friends at Austin Parks Foundation! We're celebrating today by assuming ownership of the ever-popular @hikeaustin Instagram account. In today's episode, we have an exclusive interview with Matthew Guthrie, the mind behind the account. We talk to him about how he started @hikeaustin, why he’s donating it to APF, and what his hopes are for the account. Once you listen, be sure to show us some love on the @hikeaustin IG account! 

The girls are back, and this month, it’s alllll about It’s My Park Day! Join Katie and Suzy as they give you the lowdown on APF’s biggest volunteer event, happening on Saturday, November 1st. They’ll outline the basics, highlight some unique IMPD projects, and tell you how you can participate. And don’t forget: after you give back, you get to collect your givebacks! They’ll tell you where you can redeem free goodies and special discounts all over town.

It's September, and that means the most wonderful time of year is right around the corner. No, we're not talking about fall (although that's nice, too), we're talking about Austin City Limits Music Festival!This month, Katie and Suzy sit down with Manar Hasan, the man behind the robust volunteer program at ACL. They talk about APF's Greening Programs and how to get involved, and they share some of their favorite memories of the fest. To learn more about volunteer at ACL, visit https://austinparks.org/acl-music-festival.

In their yappiest episode yet, Suzy and Katie talk all things Barton Springs! They’ll go through the history of this iconic Austin landmark, tell you everything you need to know before you go, and then take a left turn to discuss film legend Robert Redford’s illustrious career (there’s a tie-in to the Springs, we promise!). Let’s dive in, shall we?

Is it hot enough for ya, Austin? This month, Katie and Suzy talk through ways to stay cool in our parks during the summer months, and they suggest some "perfect day" itineraries for North, South, East and West Austin! 

It's the very first episode of People of the Parks, a podcast from the Austin Parks Foundation! We're kicking things off on a high note, with APF CEO Colin Wallis. We'll talk about his path to APF, his thoughts on our parks, and we'll take a deep dive into APF's recent revitalization of the Zilker Eagle Mini Train.

In this bonus episode, Katie, Suzy and Producer Taylor play a trivia game to get you acquainted with APF.

Introducing People of the Parks, the brand new podcast from Austin Parks Foundation!