The Austin Parks and Recreation Department Parks Prescription Program aims to bridge the medical community with local parks and recreation opportunities by prescribing time in nature to prevent or treat health problems.

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) invests in the health of our community.  Over years, scientific study consistently affirms what PARD has observed to be true - spending time outdoors, especially in natural settings, has significant health benefits.  The benefits include both improvements to the physical and mental well-being of individuals, families and communities, as well as the environment. 

Nature is Community

green rectangle with white text that reads nature is community the parks prescription program aims to bridge the medical community with local parks and recreation by prescribing physical activity in a recreation setting to prevent or treat health problems

Nature's Side Effects

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Better Mood

Improved Heart Health

Increased Energy

Social Engagement
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Improved Memory

Improved Sleep

Longer Life

Reduction of Pain

Getting Started

Want to get started enjoying or prescribing the health benefits of nature? Select one of the buttons below for patients and providers to learn more.

blue rectangle with Patients written in white textgreen rectangle that reads in white text Providers
Existing Parks Prescription Programs

Developing a Parks Prescription Program for your Community

Parks Prescription Canada

ParksRx.org

Park Prescription Materials 

PARD Prescription Toolkit

Prescription pad

Letter from the Director

Nature Benefits Poster Series
Parks Prescription Newsletters
Park Activities

My Austin Parks Guide

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

North Austin

Northeast Austin

Central Austin

South Austin

Southeast Austin

My Austin Parks (MAP) Guide in Chinese - 中文

North Austin

Northeast Austin

Central Austin

South Austin

Southeast Austin

My Austin Parks (MAP) Guide in Vietnamese

North Austin

Northeast Austin

Central Austin

South Austin

Southeast Austin

My Austin Parks (MAP) Guide in English

North Austin

Northeast Austin

Central Austin

South Austin

Southeast Austin

My Austin Parks (MAP) Guide in Korean - 한국어

North Austin

Northeast Austin

Central Austin

South Austin

Southeast Austin

Loose Parts Kits are a collection of items that are used to build and create in a free, unstructured environment that promote creativity, imagination, cooperation and communication, and fosters connection to nature and stewardship values.

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.