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…
The City of Austin offers lifeguard certification year round. The StarGuard lifeguard program is an internationally-recognized certification with a curriculum that teaches trainees how to act in the event of an emergency situation.
Anyone interested in applying to be a lifeguard can stop by the Aquatic Office, 2818 San Gabriel St., for free pizza during Lifeguard Hiring Open Hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, April 5.
Everyone must complete the job application and hiring paperwork befo…
Sylvia Stinson talks about how the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center has enriched her life and the lives of her family and the community at large. Through the preservation and exhibition of African American material culture, history, and aesthetic expression, the Carver Museum works to create a space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated.
The Carver Museum and Cultural Center is housed in a 36,000 square-foot facility that includes four galleries, a confe…
Installation of a Thomas Dambo Troll will soon be underway in Pease Park! Following an extensive community engagement and review process with the City of Austin, the project is approved and the Thomas Dambo team will arrive in Austin in late February of 2024 to initiate the build.
Thomas Dambo is a critically acclaimed artist and designer and a self-described “Recycling Art Activist” who creates public art sculptures from recycled and reused materials. He specializes in making sculptures from wasted materials, such…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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Photo courtesy of Raquel Ortega for Ride Bikes Austin
Ride Bikes Austin (RBA) regularly supports Amigos de Parque Zaragoza, park adopters of Parque Zaragoza Neighborhood Park. Everyone is welcome at these organizations’ free park events, volunteer clean-ups, and group bike rides.
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Austin Parks and Recreation hosted a ceremony to honor Joan Means Khabele on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Barton Springs Pool. After not being allowed to swim at her high school senior picnic, Khabele was the first Black person to jump into Barton Springs Pool in an act of civil disobedience. In doing so, she sparked a movement of swim-ins that took place on a weekly basis throughout the summer of 1960.
A performance by t…