The Health Promotions Unit is committed to providing lifelong recreational, cultural and educational opportunities to promote healthy lifestyles and environments which create a sustainable and livable community. The Health Promotions Unit supports active, healthy living by offering free programs to the Austin community.
Adult Fitness Programs
The Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs and services for adults. We are committed to providing an environment that encourages active and healthy lifestyles through recreational and educational programs and services.
- Yoga with Patti at Twin Oaks Library
- It's Time Texas In-person Classes
- Zumba, Saturdays from 10-11am at South Austin Recreation Center
- Kickboxing, Saturdays from 10:15-11:15am at Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center
- Mixxed Fit, Mondays from 6:15-7:15pm at Gustavo "Gus" Garcia Recreation Center
- Senior Programs and Services
- A Mighty Good Time provides a variety of experiences for older adults.
- Stronger Texas provides fitness classes virtually through the Zoom platform. Click here for the class schedule.
Find more FREE FITNESS by visiting one of our recreation centers with exercise equipment and weight room hours, view open gym schedule & fitness room hours. Call site to confirm the schedule has not changed.
Food Programs
The Parks and Recreation Department is committed to promoting programs that support healthy living to the Austin community
Meditative Moments and Coloring Sheets of Austin Parks
Here you will find relaxing sights and sounds of parks. The goal is to reduce stress and give you a moment of peace that only the great outdoors can provide. Enjoy these moments.
- Meditative Moments
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Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park
Walter E.Long Metropolitan Park
Roy G Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park
Bauerle Ranch Park at Slaughter Creek Greenbelt Part 1
- Park Coloring Sheets
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Coloring Page Time Lapse - Zilker Botanical Garden Download Coloring Sheet
Coloring Pages: Barton Springs Pool Coloring Time-Lapse Dowload Coloring Sheet
Fireweheel Flower at Elisabet Ney Museum Trail
Mexican American Cultural Center
Barton Creek at Lou Neff Point
Parks Prescription
The City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) collaborated with students from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy on a Parks Prescription program from 2018-2024. The Parks Prescription programs aims to bridge the gap between the healthcare community and local Parks and Recreation Department. These programs encourage providers to "prescribe" physical activity/time in nature to patients while being part of a larger public health goal.
- Park Prescription Posters
- Park Prescription Brochure & Letter from the Director
My Austin Parks Guide
The My Austin Parks Guide is a map to local parks with their amenities, ADA accessibility and transportation options. The maps contain bus routes, bike friendly roads, and how to access the park by foot.
- My Austin Parks (MAP) Guia en Español
- My Austin Parks (MAP) Guide in Chinese - 中文
- My Austin Parks (MAP) Guide in Vietnamese
- My Austin Parks (MAP) Guide in English
- My Austin Parks (MAP) Guide in Korean - 한국어
- Park Activities
Health Campaigns
The Health Promotions Unit led two campaigns between 2019-2020.
1) Raised awareness and educated team and community members about the benefits of healthy vending choices. Each month the team created educational posters and messaging near vending machines in all PARD facilities. To check out the flyers click on a month.
2) Discussed the benefits of Eating Nature's Rainbow. Colorful fruits and vegetables are not only visually pleasing, but have many health benefits for our bodies. Catch the Rainbow Series by clicking on the colors!
- 2019 Posters
- 2020 Posters