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Pflugerville Parks Foundation outlines first-year activities, fundraising and volunteer drive
Summary
The recently formed Pflugerville Parks Foundation described its transition from a parks commission subcommittee to a 501(c)(3), listed volunteer and event metrics from 2024, and announced upcoming fundraising and planting activities tied to community events.
The Pflugerville Parks Foundation told the Parks and Recreation Commission it became an independent 501(c)(3) in November 2023 and completed a memorandum of understanding with the city in October 2024 to formalize the partnership.
Foundation representatives said the group began as a parks commission subcommittee and now serves as a nonprofit fundraising and volunteer arm for Pflugerville parks, with a mission to "champion the development, maintenance, and accessibility of green spaces for all residents." The foundation reported seven co-hosted events this year and several volunteer activities in partnership with the city forester and volunteer coordinator.
Foundation volunteers and staff gave specific metrics: about 200 volunteer participants this year contributing roughly 400 volunteer hours; nearly 200 bags of trash removed (largely from Lake Pflugerville); more than 600 trees planted; and 30 pounds of native seed spread. The group said it now has over 300 Facebook followers and more than 100 newsletter subscribers.
On funding, foundation speakers said their revenue comes from donations, event proceeds, shirt sales and partnerships. The foundation described Deutschenfest as its largest annual fundraiser through a revenue-sharing arrangement with the event's alcohol vendor, Prost. The foundation also cited in-kind support from local businesses (Frost Bank provided shirts for a fun run) and individual donors.
Foundation leaders said upcoming activities include a November tree-planting work day with the city forester and a virtual trash-cleanup campaign that will use social media tags and local business–donated raffle prizes. Commissioners and staff suggested potential fundraising ideas, including naming opportunities for trees or other park features.
Commissioners and parks staff stressed the foundation’s role as a vehicle to solicit private funds to augment city bond-funded projects and singled out the destination play bond project at Bulls Park as an early priority for private fundraising and community engagement. Foundation representatives asked commissioners to share foundation social channels and volunteer opportunities to boost engagement.
The commission did not take formal action on the foundation presentation.
