Recess Recs: Austin Parks & Rec’s FREE Summer Playgrounds Program
Swing into Summer: Free Drop-In Fun at the Summer Playgrounds Program!
Summertime with kids can often feel like a never ending loop of sticky popsicle fingers and the age-old question, “What do we do now?”—particularly once you’ve exhausted just about every popsicle stick craft on Pinterest.
Enter the Austin Parks & Rec’s Summer Playgrounds Program—Austin’s sunniest solution for keeping kids active, engaged, and outdoors (while giving parents a little breathing room). Oh, and did we mention? It’s completely FREE.
From June 9 to August 1, 2025, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, kids ages 5 to 12 can drop into a park near them for a full day of games, creativity, and connection. No pre-registration hoops to jump through—just show up on your first day at your chosen park site and register in person. After that, the playground magic begins!
Where’s the Action Happening?
With six park locations spread across North, Central, and South Austin, the Summer Playgrounds Program is designed to be as accessible as your neighborhood swingset.
South Austin:
- Dick Nichols District Park — 8011 Beckett Road, 78749
- James A. Garrison District Park — 6001 Menchaca Rd, 78745
- Gillis Neighborhood Park — 2410 Durwood Ave, 78704
Central & East Austin:
- Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Park — 2803 Loyola Lane, 78723
- Govalle Neighborhood Park — 5200 Bolm Road, 78721
North Austin:
- Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park — 12138 N Lamar Blvd, 78758
What’s in It for the Kids?
Think of it as a camp meets recess—minus the sign-up fees and overstuffed schedules. Here’s what your kiddo will experience:
🌞 Healthy Living: Sunshine, movement, and fresh air? Yes, please.
🤝 Teamwork + Character Building: Whether it’s building forts or friendships, kids learn as they play.
🎨 Age-Appropriate Activities: From nature walks to relay races, everything’s tailored just right.
🌱 Environmental Stewardship: A little dirt, a lot of learning. Kids get to know their parks—and how to care for them.
A Summer That’s All Play, No Stress
We believe summer should be simple, joyful, and full of the kind of memories that smell like sunscreen and sound like belly laughs. The Summer Playgrounds Program checks every box: it’s free, it’s flexible, and it’s fueled by fun.
So pack a water bottle, lather on that SPF, and let the kids run wild (in the best way). Because summer doesn’t need to be complicated to be incredible.
No registration needed ahead of time—just show up and sign up on-site your first day.
☀️ Let’s make it a summer to remember!
