The Austin Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of Varsity Generation programs and services for people 50 years of age and older. Activities include traveling, pursuing old hobbies and learning new ones, socializing with friends, meeting new people, increasing knowledge, becoming and staying physically fit, supplementing income, contributing to the community and much more!
- South Austin Senior Activity Center
- Lamar Senior Activity Center
- Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center
- Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center
Check out the Parks Viewer to search for a senior center near you.
Programs
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Varsity Generation Educational Program is a mixture of non-profits, private organizations, volunteers, and staff that provide services and supplies to the seniors in the Austin and surrounding area. These classes, presentations and fairs are designed to bring seniors resources and information that concern:
- Finance
- Health
- Medical
- Government
- Security
- Gardening
- Housing
- Leisure
- Computer Education
- Movies
- Book reading/Book Club
- Varsity Generation Kayaking
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Ages 50+
Fall 2022 Kayak Dates, Times, Locations.- 10/5 – 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Lady Bird Lake
- 10/12– 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Lady Bird Lake (Starting at Redbud Island)
- 10/19 – 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – Lampassas River
- 10/26– 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Lady Bird Lake
- 11/2- 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Lady Bird Lake (Starting at Redbud Island)
- 11/9– 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Granger Lake on San Gabriel River
- 11/16 – 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Lady Bird Lake
- 11/30 - 9:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Colorado River - Webberville
- 12/7- 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Lady Bird Lake
- 12/14– 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Lady Bird Lake
- Varsity Generation Hiking
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Ages 50+
Fall 2022 Hiking Dates, Times, Locations.10/4 – Boggy Creek Greenbelt – East Austin
Description - We will start the fall of with an urban exploration of the Boggy Creek Greenbelt hike and bike way. Along our route we will see different community centers, urban art, and find new ways to travel.
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: 1 out of 5
10/18 - Shaffer Bend Recreation Area – Marble Falls, TX
Description - This LCRA park offers great Texas Hill Country views, plenty of single-track hiking trails with scenic overlooks all the way down to sandy beaches on the north shore of Lake Travis.
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: 3 of 5
11/1 – Copperfield Nature Trail – North Austin
Description - Formerly an undeveloped greenbelt from Yager Lane to Shropshire Blvd, neighbors have worked with the city to create trails. The greenbelt will eventually connect to the Walnut Creek greenbelt. The Copperfield Nature Trail boasts two small, spring-fed ponds, an existing one-mile trail, and lots of possibilities for additional hike and bike trails. The park is in a rapidly developing area of northeast Austin.
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Distance: 3-4 miles
Difficulty: 3 of 5
11/15 – Bastrop State Park - Bastrop, TX
Description - For more than 70 years, folks have visited Bastrop State Park to enjoy its history and marvel at the Lost Pines. Forest fires and floods have ravaged the park in recent years. Now comes rebirth: new trees, new plants, and new life. Come see the park’s recovery from nature’s fury.
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Distance: 2.5-3.5 miles
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
11/29 - Slaughter Creek Trail - South Austin
Description - Slaughter creek trail is within an area maintained by the water quality management area in southwest Austin. The trail offers a 5-mile loop of trail for hiking and biking, has wooded single-track, embedded rock sections, and a section with high elevation with a nice look out view.
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: 3.5 out of 5
12/13 – Canyon of the Eagles – Burnet, TX
Description - Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park & Resort is named after the American Bald Eagles who nest in the area annually and offers excellent hiking trails close to the rim of Buchanan Lake.
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Distance: 3-4 miles
Difficulty 4 of 5
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Varsity Generation Senior Trip Excursions program provides a variety of destinations for participants to engage in.
There are four different categories in which participants choose: adventure/bucket list, educational, entertainment, and health/fitness.
- Adventure/Bucket list- Zipline, IFly, Swimming with Dolphins, and Overnight Camping
- Education-cultural, arts/music, history, science, nature, and museums.
- Entertainment- Theater/Plays, Festivals, Movies, Theme Parks, Shopping, Sight-Seeing.
- Health/Fitness- Hiking, Biking, and Kayaking
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Varsity Generation Healthy Lifestyle Program is sponsored by volunteers, non-profits and private organizations that provide services, equipment and supplies to the seniors in the Austin and surrounding area. These classes take place to inspire Austin seniors to learn, play, protect and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places.
- Fitness Room
- Line Dancing
- Zumba
- Stretch and strength
- Seniorsize
- Senior Health and Fitness
- Tai Chi
- Yoga
Help make our community a better place to live by volunteering! There are several volunteer opportunities with the City of Austin that support City services and programs, and Austin's quality of life.
- Class instructors
- Meal volunteers
- Office Volunteers
- Community service projects
For more volunteer opportunities please call your city of Austin senior center.
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Varsity Generation Socials are aimed to provide a variety of fun activities that coincide with the holidays
Activity Centers
- Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center
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Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center
808 Nile St (78702)
Ph:512-978-2660
- Senior Activity Center – Lamar
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Senior Activity Center – Lamar
2874 Shoal Crest Ave (78705)
Ph:512-978-2480
- South Austin Senior Activity Center
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South Austin Senior Activity Center
3911 Manchaca Rd (78704)
Ph:512-978-2400
Community Needs
Senior Transportation-
As part of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department's Senior Support Services, Senior Transportation offers several services for older adults in the greater Austin area. By calling 974-1464, we can get you out and about with our services. Our goal is to provide a special system of transportation to enhance quality of life and promote independence for persons 60 years of age or older.
Senior Meal Program-
The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department welcomes Meals on Wheels and More as our partner for the delivery of congregate meals to eight (8) recreation/neighborhood and senior activity centers through out Austin. The Senior Congregate Meals Program is open to anyone 60 years of age or older. The meals are at the suggested Client Share donation of $1.00 to $3.00 but no contribution is required. In addition to lunch, participants share social and recreational activities and receive additional benefits such as nutrition education, health and welfare counseling and information and referral services.
Old Bakery and Emporium
The Old Bakery and Emporium operates as a consignment store spotlighting handcrafted gifts and fine art by local artisans 50 years and older with a visitor information center for tourist looking for fun attractions around Austin. In addition to shop, the Old Bakery and Emporium houses a rotating art gallery and history center depicting Austin’s change from a rustic frontier village into a modern, bustling and influential state capital.
Asian American Resource Center
- Senior Lunch Social: Free meals for Austin residents ages 60+ every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12 PM to 1 PM.
- Recreational & Wellness Activities: Includes Tai Chi, table tennis, Asian board games, crafts and more.
- Continuing Education: Includes topics such as heart health, diabetes management, life skills, computer and technology classes and more.
- Intergenerational Garden
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center
The ESB-MACC's Cine de Oro series brings Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema to seniors throughout Austin. These films include the inspiration of Cantinflas, Pedro Infante and Dolores del Rio, just to name a few. Cine de Oro is held at the ESB-MACC on the last Tuesday of each month. Transportation for seniors is provided by local senior centers, public transit or personal vehicles. Breakfast is served around 8:45 am during social time, then the movie starts at 9:30 am. Lunch is served following the end of the film, usually around 11:30 am.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, income status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status in any programs or activities.
