Welcome to People of the Parks, the official podcast of Austin Parks Foundation! Join hosts Katie and Suzy as we explore the city’s nearly 400 parks, trails and green spaces, and talk about what goes into maintaining them. We’ll highlight some of Austin’s most iconic parks, and introduce you to some hidden gems. We’ll chat with the people who help shape our parks system, and those who love to use them. At APF, we believe that ALL people are parks people - and that includes you! Join us for a new episode each month and be sure to keep an eye out for surprise bonus episode drops. In the meantime, we’ll see you outside!
Fall is right around the corner, and that means one thing: it’s almost time for ACL Fest! On this month’s pod, Katie and Suzy talk all things ACL and explain how the festival (and more specifically, festival attendees) supports our city’s parks to the tune of *millions* of dollars. Be sure to listen to the end of the episode for a VERY special surprise (trust us, you don’t want to miss this.) Happy listening!
28 Aug 2026
Ain't No Party Like a Party for the Parks!
She’s baaaaaack! On this month’s episode of People of the Parks, Suzy is reunited with her fellow yapper as Katie returns from maternity leave. They are joined by APF’s event planner extraordinaire, Caitlyn Denham, to talk all things Party for the Parks - APF’s annual fundraiser that’s happening on the ACL Festival grounds on October 7th. Get your tickets now at party.austinparks.org and use the promo code “POTP26” to get $50 off!
30 Jul 2026
Advocacy: Why Parks Can't Wait 'til 2028
The People of the Parks podcast is back this month and we're talking all things advocacy – a timely topic as Austin is currently in a bond cycle! Suzy and Taylor are joined by first-time guest, Advocacy Manager, Alyssa Vargas. Together, they dig into why advocacy is important, where the bond stands and what's next. Once you're done listening, head to austinparks.org/blog to learn more about how the bond process works and what you can do to help our parks right now.
12 Jun 2026
ParkScore: How does Austin measure up?
This month the People of the Parks podcast gets down with the data! Suzy is joined by Taylor and RETURN guest, Austin Parks Foundation CEO, Colin Wallis. The Trust for Public Land ParkScore dropped last month, and they discuss where Austin ranks, what it means and how APF (and other outdoor nonprofits) are helping to move the needle!
21 May 2026
Delightfully Unhinged: Greater & Greener with a side of ASMR
This month the People of the Parks podcast gets (slightly) unhinged! Suzy is joined by new stand-in host, Taylor, where they discuss APF's involvement in this summer's Greater & Greener conference, how YOU can help support parks funding right now (austinparks.org/blog) and then wind things down with a little ASMR: Parks Edition🌳 (Suzy's dream IRL)
16 Apr 2026
Digging In: People, Parks and Projects
Spring is in the air…and in the podcast studio! This month the People of the Parks podcast returns with a very special episode featuring APF’s park improvement guru, Katie Robillard, PLA. The gals get the skinny on some of the projects that are currently in the works, why parks take so long to get from start to finish and how APF ensures our environment is protected throughout each of these park improvements. They wrap things up by taking one of their classic left turns to discuss ACL predict...
27 Mar 2026
Rake It 'Til You Make It: Volunteering With APF
The gals are back and this month, they're getting their hands dirty and digging into volunteering! Fresh off a record-setting It's My Park Day event, they're joined by Senior Volunteer Coordinator Freddy Nieto, who is a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Together, the gang breaks down APF's volunteer program and talks about how you can get involved. Once you're done listening, head to austinparks.org/volunteer to learn more and to join an upcoming event!
12 Feb 2026
Love is in the Parks!
Valentine’s Day is upon us, and love is in the (fresh) air! This month, Suzy and Katie are falling head over heels for all the ways you can celebrate Valentine’s Day in our parks—no matter your relationship status. From swoon-worthy strolls to solo adventures, we’re sharing ideas that prove our parks are the ultimate matchmaker. Plus, the gals will share some exciting new website features, including a new interactive funding map and grant opportunity that illustrate just how much APF loves ou...
14 Jan 2026
New Year, Who Dis?
A new year is here, and the pod is back and better than ever! This month, the APF gals are resolving to help you with your New Year’s resolutions: whatever they may be, odds are you can get it done at one of Austin’s beautiful parks. Be sure to listen to the end to hear their personal resolutions (which truly run the gamut) and be sure to check out our blog to learn more about the parks they recommend. Happy 2026! Blog: https://austinparks.org/blog/new-years-resolutions/
15 Dec 2025
Episode 7: 'Tis the Season!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the only thing that can make it better is a brand-new episode of People of the Parks: a podcast from Austin Parks Foundation! This month, Katie and Suzy take a trip down memory lane through their year in review and reveal their personal park highlights of 2025. Plus, they share some last-minute holiday gift ideas and celebrate six months of the podcast. From all your friends at APF – thanks for listening, and happy holidays!
17 Nov 2025
Episode 6: Hitting the Trails with @hikeaustin
Happy National Take a Hike Day from your friends at Austin Parks Foundation! We're celebrating today by assuming ownership of the ever-popular @hikeaustin Instagram account. In today's episode, we have an exclusive interview with Matthew Guthrie, the mind behind the account. We talk to him about how he started @hikeaustin, why he’s donating it to APF, and what his hopes are for the account. Once you listen, be sure to show us some love on the @hikeaustin IG account!
27 Oct 2025
Episode 5: All About It's My Park Day
The girls are back, and this month, it’s alllll about It’s My Park Day! Join Katie and Suzy as they give you the lowdown on APF’s biggest volunteer event, happening on Saturday, November 1st. They’ll outline the basics, highlight some unique IMPD projects, and tell you how you can participate. And don’t forget: after you give back, you get to collect your givebacks! They’ll tell you where you can redeem free goodies and special discounts all over town.
19 Sept 2025
Episode 4: Takin' it to the Limit(s)!
It's September, and that means the most wonderful time of year is right around the corner. No, we're not talking about fall (although that's nice, too), we're talking about Austin City Limits Music Festival! This month, Katie and Suzy sit down with Manar Hasan, the man behind the robust volunteer program at ACL. They talk about APF's Greening Programs and how to get involved, and they share some of their favorite memories of the fest. To learn more about volunteer at ACL, visit https://...
26 Aug 2025
Episode 3: What's the Deal with Barton Springs?
In their yappiest episode yet, Suzy and Katie talk all things Barton Springs! They’ll go through the history of this iconic Austin landmark, tell you everything you need to know before you go, and then take a left turn to discuss film legend Robert Redford’s illustrious career (there’s a tie-in to the Springs, we promise!). Let’s dive in, shall we?
1 Jul 2025
Episode 2: Be Cool!
Hosts Katie and Suzy discuss strategies for staying cool in Austin's parks during the summer and propose ideal day plans for exploring different areas of the city.
12 Jun 2025
Episode 1: Preserving Austin Icons with Colin Wallis
Austin Parks Foundation CEO Colin Wallis discusses his journey to APF and the revitalization of the Zilker Eagle Mini Train in this interview with People of the Parks.
4 Jun 2025
Bonus Episode: All About APF
Katie, Suzy, and Producer Taylor engage in a trivia game, testing their knowledge of APF and providing listeners with an introduction to the organization in this episode.
23 May 2025
Trailer: People of the Parks
People of the Parks introduces a new podcast from Austin Parks Foundation.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
2,652,253
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
22
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
32
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