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Parks board unanimously backs letter supporting senior centers, cites meal and transportation services
Summary
The Austin Parks and Recreation Board approved a letter of support for the department's senior programming after a presentation outlining center usage, congregate meals, transportation and outreach. The board urged preservation of services amid possible budget reductions.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously to approve a board letter of support for the department's senior programming, endorsing services provided at three senior activity centers and related outreach programs.
Program staff described the scope of services to the board before the vote. Kelly Maltzberger, program manager for the Community Recreation Adult 50+ Services unit, told the board the three senior activity centers ' Conley Guerrero (central), Lamar (north) and South Austin ' offer creative arts, fitness, congregate meals, a senior transportation program and 'Varsity Generation' outreach at multiple recreation sites. Maltzberger said the congregate meal program served 62,627 meals in 2024 and that the department was awarded an upcoming Federal Transit Administration grant of $753,000 for the 2026'27 cycle to support senior transportation.
The letter read into the record praises the centers and the staff's work delivering hundreds of programs and tens of thousands of participant visits annually and notes the role of volunteers and community partners. Board members raised budget concerns during questions, asking whether current programs face cuts under the city's fiscal tightening. Maltzberger said the senior unit was reviewing all programs and that nothing in the presentation was currently reduced, but the department was 'looking at everything' to prioritize services if reductions are required.
Board Member Eubanks moved to approve the letter of support; Board Member Franklin seconded. The motion passed unanimously with all present members voting in favor.
Board members and staff emphasized the programs' role in reducing isolation, supporting aging-in-place and providing transportation and congregate meals that many older residents rely on. The board asked for ongoing updates about budget risk to the programs and for staff to return with clarifying information if reductions become likely.
The board also thanked staff and volunteers for the work described in the presentation and encouraged continued outreach to make the centers accessible across neighborhoods.
Maltzberger and her on-stage team included supervisors Jason Miller (South Austin Senior Activity Center), Johnny Saldana (Conley Guerrero Senior Activity Center) and John Haros (Lamar Senior Activity Center); Barbara Garcia oversees outreach programming.
The board's letter of support and the staff presentation will be included in the department's public records for council and budget review.
