It’s official: Austin City Council votes in favor of a Parks Bond!
Update: August 6, 2026
It’s official! On Thursday, August 6th, Austin City Council voted to place a $295 million bond package on the November ballot — and Austin voters will now have the opportunity to invest in the parks system for the first time since 2018.
City staff originally presented a $390 million package that included transportation infrastructure, the animal services center, and the homeless resource center and shelter. Council landed on a leaner, parks-focused compromise:
- Parks and Recreation — $260 million, including funding for buildings, parkland improvements, infrastructure, aquatics, and land acquisition. - Libraries — $35 million
Zilker 351 co-founder and Governance Committee Chair Hayden Brooks captured what this moment means: “Austin’s parks belong to everyone, and we believe the people who love and use them should have the opportunity to decide this investment at the ballot box.”
We’re grateful to the Council members who voted to move this forward, to the city staff whose hard work brought us to this point, and to the many community members and organizations who showed up throughout this process. Now the work shifts to making the case to voters.
Update: July 24, 2026
Yesterday, Council deferred the bond item, most likely until its August 4 work session. This was not a sign that the proposal is losing momentum. With more than 500 speakers on another major agenda item, several Council Members said they wanted additional time to give the bond the thoughtful discussion it deserves and to allow Council Member Fuentes, who returns from leave next week, to participate.
Our takeaway is that the need has not changed. Austin's parks remain overdue for investment, and our community deserves the opportunity to vote on a comprehensive parks bond this November. As stewards of Zilker Metropolitan Park, we believe the health of Zilker depends on the strength of the entire parks system, and we will continue advocating until Council makes its decision.
We will be watching the August 4 work session closely and will keep you informed, including ways you can make your voice heard.
Funding for Austin’s Parks: Council Continues the Conversation.
Bond Update: Council Keeps the Conversation Going
Last month, we reported on the final recommendations from the Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF), the Parks and Recreation Board, and City Staff to Austin City Council regarding a potential 2026 bond election. On May 28, Austin City Council met to act on those recommendations—and Zilker 351 was there to speak up for parks. Here's what happened and what comes next.
(New to this topic? Start with our previous post.)
What Council Did
The City Council took up the question as to whether to move forward with a proposed bond or not. Item 97, was a proposal directing city staff to continue developing a relatively small $390M bond package focusing on parks, transportation, and community facilities projects. Their findings would be presented for Council's consideration at their July 23, 2026 meeting. The proposal passed with six votes, with Mayor Kirk Watson and Council Member Duchen voting no and Council Member Laine abstaining. As it stands, the issue of the bond is not decided yet. However, this was a good first step by City Council that will move the process forward.
Zilker 351’s Input
At the meeting, Fleetwood Jacobs, Zilker 351 Executive Director, and Mike Cannatti, Zilker 351 Board Chair, spoke in support of moving forward with a bond and prioritizing funding for parks and ecological restoration projects. They specifically discussed funding for a Barton Creek Shoreline Restoration Project at Barking Springs. The proposed project would stabilize the eroding creek bank between the spillway and Barton Springs Road bridge, restore native vegetation, improve accessibility and trail safety, and help protect water quality in one of Austin's most heavily used natural areas. Zilker 351 says it is prepared to help raise matching funds from private philanthropic donors if the City formally identifies the project as a priority eligible for bond and/or partnership funding.
Parks Have Champions on This Council
What was clear during this discussion: parks have advocates on Council. Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela noted that parks are one of the few areas where private partners, donors, and nonprofits are genuinely willing to step up—and gave Zilker 351 a shout-out in the process. Council Member Siegel reminded Council that parks have not received a bond investment since 2018. He believes we should ask voters to invest in Austin Parks as they are universally enjoyed across our community. Council Member Ryan Alter, who brought Item 97 forward, was direct: "I think our parks are in desperate need." Other supporters of the proposition included Paige Ellis, Mike Siegel, Zo Qadri, and José Velásquez.
The Parks and Recreation Board's unanimous resolution from April 27 remains one of the strongest statements on record supporting additional parks investment.
What Comes Next
Staff will bring a full bond package back for discussion at the July Council meeting. Council will then decide whether to call a bond election and if so, for how much and what. A November 2026 bond election remains on the table; and therefore, we will continue advocating for parks bond funding. Important decisions are still ahead, and community participation will be essential.
Zilker 351 will be there every step of the way during this process keeping you updated on how you can help protect Zilker Park—the crown jewel of Austin—for future generations.
Help Care for Zilker Park
If our work resonates with you, we need your support.
Zilker belongs to all of us — and keeping it healthy, beautiful, and alive takes all of us too. Zilker 351 is on the ground restoring wildlife habitat, protecting Barton Creek, and making the park cooler, greener, and more accessible for every person who calls Austin home.
Every gift, big or small, helps us advocate for Zilker, plant trees, build shade, and keep Austin's most iconic park thriving for generations to come.