2026 It’s My Park Day

More than 50 neighbors braved threatening weather on Saturday, March 7th, to help beautify and protect Shipe Park’s shade trees as part of It’s My Park Day sponsored by the Austin Parks Foundation along with Friends of Shipe Park

“Before the rain fell, our volunteers succeeded in spreading huge piles of mulch to benefit the park’s trees.  Adults and kids of all ages did their part — and we had a great time,” said Madison Inselmann, Friends’ chief organizer for the Shipe Park project.

Friends of Shipe Park are deeply grateful to Sam Archer and Juice Real Estate Group at Compass for once again serving as primary sponsor of It’s My Park Day. TacoDeli generously provided delicious tacos at the start of the workday … (their CFO lived in Hyde Park in college!). And, Hyde Park’s popular Allday Pizza donated pizza to feed volunteers when the work was done. Sponsors helped underwrite purchase of landscaping supplies as well as musical entertainment by community brass band Blowcomotion.

“A special shoutout goes to talented young bakers Lake Wooster and her friend Sabine Hewlett, who collected donations to support Shipe Park in exchange for their delicious cookies and other treats. Their creativity and that of so many children pitching in to protect the park inspires confidence that Shipe will remain in good hands for years to come,” Inselmann said. 

Friends of Shipe Park are starting to plan for the party to mark Shipe’s pool opening in June — and are looking ahead to movie nights and other special events in the park later this year.

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