Kathleen Mannello is the Community Engagement Manager at Austin Parks Foundation, and manages the Adopt-A-Park program in partnership with PARD, as well as the biannual volunteer event, It’s My Park Day, and the Volunteer Program. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Kathleen spent 8 years living in Washington, DC operating a satellite art therapy program of a pediatric oncology department based there, and also worked in the IT world as a project manager. She loves working with dedicated park adopters that provide stewardship to our green spaces across the city, and helping to build and support a community of park champions.

Austin Parks Foundation

A non-profit established in 1992, APF fills the city’s funding and resource gap needed to
develop, maintain and enhance the area’s 300+ parks, trails and green spaces. APF fosters
innovative public/private partnerships and since 2006, has given over $2.5 million in community initiated grants in service to the greater Austin community. APF is known for its annual flagship volunteer event, It’s My Park Day, and is a presenting partner and beneficiary of the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Metropolitan Park.

We believe our public parkland should be preserved and maintained. We believe all Austinites, regardless of where they live, have the right to safe, accessible parks. We believe access to free recreation will make our city healthy and vibrant for years to come. And we believe that citizens should be able to actively come together to improve their parks, and therefore their neighborhoods.

Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is dedicated to partnering with our community to enhance
people’s lives by making our public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support.