Supporting the heart and soul of Austin’s Hyde Park Neighborhood
Friends of Shipe Park is a volunteer group dedicated to park improvement, sustainability, and community-building events for the benefit of all. We are the stewards of our park.
Our mailing list is on Google Groups. You don’t need to be on Google to join. Here’s how:
1. Tap the button below
2. This will generate an email addressed to: friendsofshipepark+subscribe@googlegroups.com
3. Send the email from the address you’d like subscribed. You’ll get a confirmation. That’s it!
Each email has instructions on how to unsubscribe.
Join the Friends of Shipe Park email list:
We create opportunities for neighbors to work side-by-side for the benefit of the park so that the features of the park — the trees, the field, the pools, and the playground — will continue to be places where people can play together, find moments of solitude and peace, or visit with their neighbors.
There have been other groups of neighbors in the past who made sustained efforts that have benefited the park. Our group formed in 2008 to build upon the legacy of those previous efforts.
The annual events that shape our community service efforts at Shipe Park include It’s My Park Day (in March), the Shipe Pool Opening Party (in June), and the Shipe Basketball Contests and Movie Night (in the Fall). We take on special projects to beautify the park. Past projects include the Shipe Park Mosaic Mural Project, a major renovation of the historic log cabin, and the installation of many trees throughout the park. Many of the trees you see, particularly those lining the creek, are a direct result of our volunteers in action.
We are eager for friends and neighbors who love Shipe to join us in our mission to keep Shipe Park beautiful and build a stronger sense of community in support of this wonderful community resource.
About Shipe Park
Shipe Neighborhood Park is located in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood of Austin, Texas at 4400 Avenue G.
The park offers a shady green space with a playground, picnic areas, basketball and tennis courts, and a seasonal pool, making it a local hub for families and neighbors to gather and play.
It is owned and maintained by the City of Austin, with support from Friends of Shipe Park and the Austin Parks Foundation.
Events / News
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Why the 2026 Bond Package for Public Parks is So Important
Learn why your support and advocacy for the City of Austin 2026 bond package is critical for the health of Shipe Park.
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Update: June’s Shipe Pool Party...
Friends of Shipe Park threw our annual Shipe Pool Party June 21st, 2026. It was great to see the community come out to enjoy the new season at the pool.
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Update: 2026 It’s My Park Day...
More than 50 volunteers came out to spruce up Shipe on March 7th, 2026 for It’s My Park Day.
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Update: Welcoming a new burr oak tree to Shipe Park...
With support from a City of Austin forestry grant and local volunteers, Shipe Park welcomed a new burr oak to replace a storm-lost tree.
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Update: Honoring Hyde Park neighbor Warren Skaaren...
A new Shumard red oak now rises beside the Shipe Park playground, thanks to a neighbor’s generosity and a story of friendship, memory, and community support.
2026 Shipe Pool Schedule
Sunday, August 16th is the last day of the season.
Many ask why the city closes the pools relatively early in the summer season. “It’s still in the 100s well into September!”
The reality is due to the lack of lifeguards.
Many students in the lifeguard ranks return to school and are unavailable. Austin is not alone in this labor challenge: most municipal pools around the country close in mid-August or earlier.
Dallas closes theirs August 3rd. San Antonio closes most August 10th with a select few open until Labor Day. In 2026, Houston closed theirs on August 3rd; in 2027, they’re extending to Labor Day.
Beyond Texas, New York City, Phoenix, Albuquerque close theirs on Labor Day. These are all cities whose high school academic years start after Sept. 1. Even a hot one like Miami closed... August 9th.
In previous communications from council member Zo Qadri on this issue, he noted "as the season winds down, only about 120 lifeguards have indicated they are able or intend to work beyond August 17."
As always, some COA pools do stay open beyond August 17th, including Bartholomew, Deep Eddy, Big Stacy, and Barton Springs.
How to Support Shipe Park
Volunteer with us…
We’re always looking for volunteers to help out on a variety of year-round or seasonal projects. These include indoor, outdoor, administrative, or events.
Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch. Thanks for helping out.
Donate to Shipe Park…
Friends of Shipe Park is fiscally sponsored by Austin Parks Foundation (APF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps manage donations to our sponsored park fund. You can donate to support Shipe Park with a tax deductible donation to our fund at APF using the button below.
Thanks for your support!
