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Chance Ramirez (they/them/she/her) talks about ceramics, art therapy, and hand building clay art. They also discuss what it's like to participate in the Visual Artist Residency Program at the Dougherty Arts Center in this short video from ATXN's In The Parks series.

Chance Ramirez creating with clay

For more information about the Visual Artist Residency Program visit

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Family watching total eclipse 2024

In preparation for the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse in Austin, the Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Nature and Science Center partnered with NASA to present programming and activities that relate to this historic cosmological event. People from all around the country and local Austinites descended into Zilker Park to take part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, as Austin won’t be in the path of totality again for another 31…

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History of Hancock Golf Course (1899–2024)

Did you know that Hancock Golf Course holds a special place in Austin's history? Back in 1899, it was the first location of the Austin Country Club, thanks to the vision of golf enthusiast and former mayor Lewis Hancock and a group of passionate folks from the community. This nine-hole gem became the pioneer golf course in the city and has proudly maintained the title as the oldest continuously operated course in Texas.

Over the years, it's seen some changes – like adding another nine…

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On April 4, 2024, an Austin City Council resolution renamed the Bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool in honor of Joan Means Khabele whose courageous act of swimming in Barton Springs to protest segregation at the pool sparked the civil rights era swim-ins that eventually led to the desegregation of Barton Springs Pool.  

The name change to the Bathhouse comes two years after the City of Austin declared April 9, 2022 as…

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Solar Eclipse Photo by Jongsun Lee on Unsplash

 

On April 8, 2024, Austin will experience a once in a lifetime total solar eclipse in the path of totality. Stay close to home when viewing the eclipse. Because of the total solar eclipse and other events happening in Austin of April 6, 7, and 8, 2024, a higher volume of visitors is expected to be in the city over the weekend and extending into Monday. Expect travel times to take longer than usual. 

Most of the city is in the path of totality, except for few parts of southeast Austin…

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BY USING THE SHAPES ON YOUR BOOKMARK TO PROJECT THE SUN'S IMAGE ONTO ANOTHER SURFACE, YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE ECLIPSE WITHOUT RISKING EYE DAMAGE! AS THE MOON MOVES IN FRONT OF THE SUN, OBSERVE HOW THE SHADOWS BEGIN TO CHANGE!

 

Safe Viewing During a Total Solar Eclipse

As the moon is moving in front of the sun viewers must wear protective eyewear (certified eclipse glasses or level 14 welding goggles). Once the moon completely covers the sun, the eclipse will no longer be visib…

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View of Diving Board at Barton Springs Pool

 

LifeguardAustin.com

 

The Aquatic Division of the Parks and Recreation Department is getting ready for swim season. It takes about 850 lifeguards to fully staff City pools during the summer months. There are currently 235 lifeguards on staff, so hundreds of positions are still open, for now. Hurry because, at $20.80 per hour for entry level positions, these jobs will go fast!

Winter Training
Lifeguard training happens year round. Get your Lifeguard certification or recertific…

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Walter E. Long Metro Park
Walnut Creek Metro Park

 

At the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, we preserve, protect and grow parkland; manage, maintain, and renovate our facilities and spaces; and create places and programs for Austin's growing population to r…

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Pete Rivera stares into the distance at Red Bluff

Pete Rivera talks about how he and his brother advocated for the City of Austin to designate Red Bluff as a nature preserve so that future generations can benefit from the natural area. 

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In The Parks With Aleu Aleu

As a boy, Aleu Aleu moved to Austin with his family, Sudanese refugees who had fled to Kenya where he was born and lived until the age of 12. 

Aleu Aleu playing basketball