[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6580272,"mediaKeyId","3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488","parentId",3142241,"title","Peace Park Conservancy, Austin Rowing Club and Explore Austin report volunteer and program milestones","audioSeconds",3060,"startMs",91000,"endMs",3151000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488&start=91&end=3151","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488/thumbnail_91000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6580272/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Peace-Park-Conservancy-Austin-Rowing-Club-and-Explore-Austin-report-volunteer-and-program-milestones","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580272-d7096d96d0d04a2f3cff3d8e20f8c5cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149467&Signature=TBxJozn4OCZ72v5EHdObyCErm9fySiIoPZ-UwzhgcopyJgqhwVLbZL8zq3IqFRSbnNILdUqIDNhE0S2hIF8oHaH1aB0EsAIA61T~-fv1iky2E~fW1AodEG9xOsc2OtcnDlwUnZo~rs4NfOJSatS10qWw-s0lF8q7eXjn4~CTRIljRBwbVHnITXwZoU9urV5jN-LZo-ym3DuAP-ANLAkgGgPIcnSTS-r78EnPn-oRJ05XIom6hgvTwYa3VEyEzHXD07~RcxIVL0fxiwjFsU5ZsOkJ5-OhUSpGMUOsrEd2hnVF8KIgs~6wwJZNpbedGlTndecZnRN2EpYm3crvphJM8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-04-28T00:00:00Z","article","Three nonprofit partners gave updates to the Parks and Recreation Board about programming, volunteer work and partnerships with PARD.

Peace Park Conservancy: Nicole Netherton, CEO of the Peace Park Conservancy, said the group operates under a Park Operations and Maintenance Agreement (POMA) executed in January 2023. Netherton said her organization has a staff of 10 and works across 84 acres of Peace Park, with primary responsibility within 7 acres of Kingsbury Commons under the POMA. She said the Conservancy’s 2024 impact report showed operations seven days a week, servicing more than 227,000 visitors from 51 area ZIP codes; volunteers numbered almost 1,600 and programming served nearly 12,000 participants, including almost 1,400 K–6 students (two‑thirds of served schools were Title I). Netherton said the Conservancy will mark the 150th anniversary of the 1875 gift of the first 23 acres later in 2025 and is drafting a phased plan tied to its 2014 vision plan.

Austin Rowing Club: Dana Williams, executive director, said junior rowing teams traveled to regattas in Cincinnati and Indianapolis and planned competition in Oklahoma City. Williams said the club has about 104 athletes competing in the upcoming regional regatta; members volunteered to clean and refresh the Waller Creek Boathouse and held an Earth Day event with 532 volunteers who collected more than 6,000 pounds of trash and involved 25 community partners. Williams thanked staff and volunteers for ongoing support.

Explore Austin: Kathleen Lyon Schneeman, CEO of Explore Austin, described nine months of outdoor youth programs—paddling, backpacking, climbing and mountain biking—and said Explore Austin serves about 300 youth and families. She said the organization, a nonprofit of about 20 years, purchased property near Walter Long Park (referenced in her remarks) and aims to expand outdoor access for youth through partnerships.

Why it matters: The briefings underscore the scale of nonprofit partnerships that support parks maintenance, programming and volunteer events in Austin and point to upcoming milestone celebrations and facility work that will involve PARD and community partners.

(Ending) Board members thanked the organizations and noted these partnerships help extend public programming and maintenance capacity across the city.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Parks and Recreation Board - Apr 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Three nonprofit partners updated the Parks Board on volunteers, programming and partnerships that support parks operations and events across Austin.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580277,"PARD director details summer pool openings, lifeguard hiring and bond spending; summer camp inclusion policy changed",1405,2780000,4185000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488&start=2780&end=4185","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488/thumbnail_2780000.jpg","/articles/6580277/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/PARD-director-details-summer-pool-openings-lifeguard-hiring-and-bond-spending-summer-camp-inclusion-policy-changed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580277-4cad2e28b86803692490296a5717be5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149467&Signature=Qy9BBpV~jp3-gKUQCAn2aWANwSU9mOM9tyhsN2BsA~iUlhv2rrBaZ3S9f3VGkQewZdYKL3ZjK92iVpCJwQGSjHnSAewaaTBU7Nb7PSrqduahPGZ1lfYHXmE-t8sT75HGHYjusAgahUTwbXh-ck5HTmBONssynX0L4xScdjjZxcNzDQkG2kMOxHiPdCaGB2tOCmQ8GFTSFDZy0PUXRK5FUyXB-kh8SbEvgrtypfkK~JilJWDdkPcTuumz5DakK98sxr3g2hFKJscnESAOti1dM8svMqFSqa7D74qWyyu6QVI1YWOdhnNCtMrzlIhefBUCrh8TemzFgYlTkZszTgNRrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Aguirre provided a monthly director’s update covering aquatics operations, bond spending, parks planning and community events.

Aquatics and hiring: Aguirre said Barton Springs reopened after cleaning and Deep Eddy was undergoing its annual cleaning. The department reported more than 377 lifeguards already cleared to work this summer and said it needs roughly 650 to operate all seasonal pools; Aguirre also said more than 900 people were in various stages of applying to be lifeguards.

Pool projects and openings: Colony Park pool is scheduled to open in May as a new pool in the City’s portfolio, and Givens Pool is slated to reopen in May after substantial refurbishment.

Bond program update: Aguirre summarized 2018 bond spending and encumbrances. For the bond category that lists specific projects, she said the department has spent about 39% and encumbered another 18% (57% committed). Aguirre said programmatic bond categories such as aquatics allow more flexible spending and usually result in higher expenditure rates.

Summer camps and inclusion services: Board members asked about changes to early registration and the department’s inclusion services. Assistant Director Jody explained a three‑year pilot that allowed early registration for scholarship and inclusion participants ended and that the department adjusted the early‑registration policy this year. Staff said the pilot produced unintended consequences: some sites had a small number of high‑need participants (for example, six inclusion participants in a 12‑child class), which increased staffing ratios and limited capacity at those locations. Staff said they will review data from three years of the pilot and offered to provide a presentation and follow‑up with board members.

Parks programming, nature play and events: Aguirre highlighted nature play installations (six opened in 2025 with four more planned), several community events, prescribed burns for land management, and partner‑led activities including ribbon cuttings and Earth Day cleanups.

Why it matters: The update addresses summer readiness for pools and camps, capital spending on bonds, and program access for residents with disabilities. The inclusion registration change raised questions about access and staffing that staff agreed to review further.

(Ending) Aguirre said the department will continue outreach and report back on inclusion services and the third‑party reviews of aquatics investigations.","Director Aguirre updated the board on aquatics, bonds and programming: two pools are scheduled to open in May, the department reported lifeguard hiring progress and bond spending percentages, and staff described an unintended consequence of an early‑registration change affecting inclusion services for summer camp enrollment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580281,"PARD support services present operations data; Parks Board approves letter of appreciation",937,1059000,1996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488&start=1059&end=1996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488/thumbnail_1059000.jpg","/articles/6580281/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/PARD-support-services-present-operations-data-Parks-Board-approves-letter-of-appreciation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580281-330ffaeb90b0b53ead1d43d53ff88399/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149467&Signature=dd18U6IBlNwGgLIo9ZrkSg8L8oCiy7qwxdW6r9249HOX6nXCELNGqi3KJS2zdSpZCHENW4kFGLOJeY69L~HKbN2IK9NgCBUWkDcjZVl0uC3e-W6psFbHiAYpG~0rey3neQyKC6EYZ6g3K-M9anihh29mwhbboPSxcCRZzQYEV-Gj13U~7J42VE77eGtd3-SAt7T1xbjXEQSz-I0p6ZZiWIJ5hCt30DG8nYv49XFYPYH5Aosh07RUMu4sQNG4zMFFkmkBJCS3T5JuaKdUP-yVwXxaasT5D9jUYVC2XIViIrTJOwufauphoBEoj0P30Bojv2MEvRh-C9Fis5NBJKsUtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Department’s support services teams presented metrics and work summaries to the board and members approved a board letter thanking the division for administrative and operational support.

Finance manager David Hillers and business process consultant Ben (last name not provided) described the contributions of communications and engagement, human resources, safety, financial services, information systems management, contracts/purchasing/grants, records and performance management. Ben told the board the “support services mission is to be value‑added business partners that get results.”

Key figures given at the April presentation included: finance oversight of approximately $137 million in FY24 and $180 million in FY25; hiring of 173 full‑time equivalents in the prior year and 76 so far in FY25; an 11% vacancy rate and 45 active recruitments; nearly 3,000 pro‑card transactions processed last year and a FY24 accounts‑payable turnaround of 23 days reduced in FY25. The records and public‑information team reported an increase in public‑information requests (PIRs) but a decreased average days‑open time for responses.

After the presentation, Chair Pedro Villalobos read a draft letter dated April 28, 2025, addressed to the support services staff expressing appreciation for their work. Chair Villalobos moved approval of the letter; board member Merritt seconded. The motion carried 11–0.

Why it matters: Support services provide payroll, safety training, records management, grants and contract work that enable parks programming and facility operations across Austin. The board’s letter formalizes appreciation and acknowledges workload across a broad department.

(Ending) The board did not take other formal action on support services metrics beyond approving the letter of appreciation.","The department’s support services units described staffing, finance and technology metrics. The Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously to approve a letter thanking support services staff for administrative work; the motion carried 11–0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580286,"City lifeguard alleges uninvestigated sexual exploitation in aquatics; PARD says third‑party review under way",336,407000,743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488&start=407&end=743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488/thumbnail_407000.jpg","/articles/6580286/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-lifeguard-alleges-uninvestigated-sexual-exploitation-in-aquatics-PARD-says-thirdparty-review-under-way","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580286-19294afe338bf9521339eeb9743c379e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149467&Signature=VX49lGZ-LakCuAFqkwtpaC3tlMHi3AMw2cer-FYzIdiSBUD9USrD3qd21F3~1YH3PpUwB1tXzUqdwoLwhGTIBA2g9wsfrR~N9F8Ygl5t001KzeLeraSSqr~9Fy9wN4IhcepAqVbIhW3uANV1mpbC89J0w7Ji1Dv5S7A0yC9qrnj7vvta970sllsyvYayjkTagA-dhJXc5DYKSUuLDrwsx4BS8hLJ4pAFlxzumO8QYN3Os8grLL9ZVxP9uANVjBxZoHH7wbxrcqPSyGIBqwEJjJ3kcWP5Wa0qRLNt-XsJZv27tlo34aghU-8aaqaC8zn9eTaqCInN87U-Qose12fYfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A longtime City of Austin lifeguard told the Parks and Recreation Board that managers in the aquatics division engaged in sexual relationships, provided drugs to staff and failed to investigate reports from teenage lifeguards.

“Working there was traumatic as a teenager,” lifeguard Scott Cobb said during public citizen communication, and he said internal investigative summaries misstated facts and omitted interviews with named employees. Cobb said two lifeguards mentioned in documents were not located in human resources databases and that alleged incidents were not referred to Austin Police Department.

The department’s director, Director Aguirre, told the board the department takes “all allegations of any misconduct seriously,” and said PARD has investigated allegations internally and with the City’s human resources department. Aguirre added that the department has engaged a third party to review past investigations and is conducting a third‑party cultural scan of the division’s policies and procedures.

Why it matters: Cobb’s public remarks allege gaps in prior investigations and say some victims were not contacted; the department’s statements show the issue is the subject of ongoing review by external contractors as well as internal coordination with HR and, when appropriate, Austin Police Department.

What was said and what the department plans: Cobb told the board he and others filed material with the city auditor and that an HR investigation dated February 2023 stated investigators could not find named employees. Director Aguirre said PARD is reexamining those investigations and pursuing both a third‑party review of investigative records and a cultural assessment of the aquatics division to produce recommendations.

Board members asked clarifying questions on whether allegations were reported directly to APD; Cobb said some reports were made only to PARD and HR, and he criticized the department’s handling of referrals to police.

Next steps: Director Aguirre said the department is continuing coordination with the human resources department, the city attorney’s office and Austin Police Department where appropriate, and will report findings from the third‑party reviews once available.

(Ending) The remarks came during the public comment portion of the board’s April meeting; no formal board action on the allegations was taken during the session.","A city lifeguard told the Parks and Recreation Board that human resources and departmental investigations failed to fully investigate allegations of sexual exploitation and related misconduct in aquatics. The Parks and Recreation Department said it is conducting third‑party reviews of investigations and a cultural scan of the division.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580267,"Stephanie Bazan elected Parks Board chair; Vice Chair Flowers reappointed",416,2218000,2634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488&start=2218&end=2634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142241-4ef14eca5ba7ea65258ece692a178488/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6580267/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Stephanie-Bazan-elected-Parks-Board-chair-Vice-Chair-Flowers-reappointed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580267-a5e783dcf692c1c885715fd86fedc638/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149467&Signature=nr0xFy8urmrxqq7qRzw9JBJ8qECxWBpMRXtaglvOOw7AWpm4cYu2-5mQ68FXGqqMHcKMcV-LAIKNA3Tne11UU99S-mWHD2YAOWXa7cQL9Oe1LwcFxpijX6HwdnVRfjfdMtIA7TSeR61-dwaOycMxeOlPSCE1WQTE8JE80CakE0X49~FH3UmZakNzzzVic7o7pG36cizR0cb8PrkUG4ROglNpzAHEyahrZdIm67Wyhbg8bqi9PI35HSVl8XAUUc3Ya6Z7H449QayTKPCZYq7x29nWvcEyDlUj2nPuiEoL7oU2U82w4OaRSbu-3u4Ljqy~LqGqKwWJ3jbWrIRgZeef1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Board completed its officer elections for the upcoming term.

Chair: Chair Pedro Villalobos nominated Board member Stephanie Bazan (District 5) to succeed him as chair; board member Becker seconded the nomination. Bazan accepted the nomination and outlined priorities including equitable access, sustainable funding and community engagement. The board voted to elect Bazan as chair by a roll‑call-style show of hands, 10 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention (one board member — Reed — said she would abstain as she is rolling off the board). The chair motion was carried and Bazan will begin the term in May 2025.

Vice chair: Board member Becker moved to reelect Vice Chair Flowers; board member Franklin seconded. Vice Chair Flowers accepted. Board members praised Flowers’ experience and policy knowledge. The motion carried 9 in favor, 0 opposed and 2 abstentions.

Why it matters: Leadership changes set priorities and shape how the board engages with the department, stakeholders and budget processes. Bazan emphasized funding sustainability and equitable park access; Flowers said her role is to support the chair and amplify board priorities.

(Ending) The board also thanked outgoing member Reed for her service; no other officer changes were reported.","The Parks and Recreation Board elected Stephanie Bazan as chair for the term beginning May 2025 and re‑elected Vice Chair Flowers. The chair vote was 10–0–1 (one abstention); the vice‑chair vote was 9–0–2.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Peace Park Conservancy, Austin Rowing Club and Explore Austin report volunteer and program milestones

PARD director details summer pool openings, lifeguard hiring and bond spending; summer camp inclusion policy changed

PARD support services present operations data; Parks Board approves letter of appreciation

City lifeguard alleges uninvestigated sexual exploitation in aquatics; PARD says third‑party review under way

Stephanie Bazan elected Parks Board chair; Vice Chair Flowers reappointed