Hutto parks department outlines inclusive events, moves toward autism-friendly certification

Jeff White, a parks department staff member, told the Hutto Inclusion and Belonging Commission on Feb. 18 that the department is pursuing autism-friendly certification and expanding sensory-friendly accommodations across city events.

The certification effort, which the department requested in last year’s budget, is in progress: "With your support, we were able to get that in the budget, and we're now going through that training," White said. He said supervisors have completed two hours of training and frontline staff have completed a 30‑minute session; a credentialing body is scheduled to do a site visit in March, after which staff expect recommendations and a final report.

The certification follows recent changes the parks department began when events resumed after pandemic restrictions. White said the city adopted a designated sensory‑friendly time for large events—typically the first 30 minutes of an event—when lights and loud sounds are reduced. "This year's Touch a Truck will be an hour time frame that we have that opportunity for those people to come out and utilize that," he said, describing a March 7 sensory hour from 9 a.m. to noon at Atterborg Game Park inside the Hampton Theater (as described in the meeting).

White walked commissioners through scheduled events and other changes intended to increase inclusion: converting traditional father/daughter and mother/son dances to "boys night out" and "girls night out" to accommodate diverse family arrangements; a family campout (described as "glamping" with indoor restrooms) that carries a small fee; an adult egg hunt April 13; a dog‑focused 5K/dash; a Catfish Derby on the first Saturday in June (timed to a state rule that day does not require a fishing license, White said); and a first‑ever Memorial Day parade under planning.

White said the city will partner with community groups on some events, notably working with Black Families of Hutto on Juneteenth to reduce the financial burden on community organizers and provide city resources, including portable restrooms and event logistics.

Commissioners asked about accessibility for specific attractions (for example, bounce houses and carnival-like attractions). White said sensory‑friendly times are already staffed and the department owns two bounce houses it can operate, and that staff will consider special‑needs periods if community members request them.

The presentation mixed planning details and invitations for commission involvement; White asked commissioners to offer input on event names, marketing and inclusivity and invited commissioners to serve on planning committees or as a sounding board.

The commission took no formal policy vote on the parks program during the Feb. 18 meeting; the discussion was informational and several items were flagged for follow‑up or commission participation in event planning.