Austin Chosen as Host City for the 2026 Greater & Greener Conference

 

The City Parks Alliance, City of Austin, and The Trail Conservancy and are excited to announce that Greater & Greener 2026, the premier international event exploring the transformative potential of urban parks, will be hosted in Austin, Texas. The conference will bring together more than 1,000 urban park leaders, city planners, design professionals, and advocates from around the world to discuss the critical role of parks in building equitable, vibrant, and resilient cities. Greater & Greener 2026 will take place June 13–16, 2026 in Austin, Texas, and will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions, workshops, and tours on the significant impact of urban parks on communities and cities. The event is presented by City Parks Alliance in partnership with the City of Austin and The Trail Conservancy. “Austin is thrilled to host the Greater & Greener conference 2026,” said Heidi Anderson, CEO of The Trail Conservancy in Austin. “Our city is a testament to the power of parks and green spaces to create a dynamic and inclusive urban environment. We are excited to showcase our commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and resilience and welcome attendees from across the country and the world to do the same.” Greater & Greener has a longstanding tradition of addressing pressing urban challenges through the lens of parks. The 2026 event will emphasize themes such as equitable access to green spaces, the economic benefits of parks, environmental resilience, and the role of parks in city-building. “Austin is the perfect place for the Greater & Greener 2026 conference attendees to gather,” said Catherine Nagel, executive director of City Parks Alliance. “With strong public-private partnerships and a diverse community, Austin will provide a dynamic learning lab for Greater & Greener attendees from across the country. We look forward to partnering with the City of Austin and The Trail Conservancy to showcase Austin’s efforts to create an equitable, vibrant, and resilient city.” As a city that values sustainability and inclusivity, Austin’s parks are a testament to its commitment to a healthier, happier community and respect for protecting and fostering the natural and native environment. Hosting Greater & Greener 2026 provides an opportunity for Austin to showcase its innovative approaches to urban greenery and to engage with global partners in a collaborative effort to keep cities green and communities thriving. “As a dynamic, growing city, access to public parks is essential for Austin’s continued success. That is why we remain focused on providing that access for everyone in our community. We’re proud to welcome the Greater & Greener conference and look forward to sharing ideas and learning from industry best practices,” said Jesús Garza, the City of Austin interim city manager. Kimberly McNeeley, Parks and Recreation Director of the City of Austin, added, “The Greater and Greener conference gives Austin Parks and Recreation the chance to share our city-within-a-park approach and to highlight the importance of parks, trails, and green spaces within walking distance for all Austinites.” Visit Austin, the official destination marketing and sales organization for the city, will also play a pivotal role in welcoming conference attendees to Austin and showcasing the city’s unique attractions. Stay tuned for further details on Greater & Greener 2026, including program information, registration details, and sponsorship opportunities. For updates, visit the Greater & Greener 2026 webpage and follow updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter using the hashtag #GreaterGreener. About City Parks Alliance City Parks Alliance is the only independent, nationwide membership organization solely dedicated to urban parks. The Alliance’s mission is to educate and elevate a diverse constituency to leverage the power of parks in shaping equitable, resilient, and thriving cities. City Parks Alliance’s 400 member organizations comprise a dynamic network of urban park and recreation leaders, city planning and design professionals, public officials, advocates, funders, and innovators from all sectors in the United States and beyond. Learn more at www.cityparksalliance.org. About Greater & Greener Presented by the City Parks Alliance, Greater & Greener is the only conference dedicated to exploring the full potential of parks as city-building tools. It’s a conference for doers from government, nonprofits, and communities who are using the power of parks to create more sustainable, vibrant, and equitable cities. Each Greater & Greener is a unique experience with new learning opportunities, hosted by a different city every two years. With more than 1,000 attendees, Greater & Greener is an exciting mix of indoor learning sessions and outdoor experiences. The highly curated agenda sets the tables for honest, cross-sector dialogue with others doing hands-on work. Attendees take home strategies and tools for using parks to build more sustainable, vibrant, and equitable cities. They get to experience the host city’s unique park and recreation system with expert-led tours and mobile workshops and meet the innovators and partners behind their creative approaches. Greater & Greener 2024 is hosted by Seattle. About Austin Parks and Recreation Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) seeks to inspire our community to learn, play, protect, and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places. PARD protects and maintains parkland, urban forest, and trails as well as offering sports, recreation, educational enrichment, arts programs, cultural opportunities, and nature and aquatic activities for Austinites. For more information, visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks. The Trail Conservancy The Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, enhance, and connect the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake for the benefit of all. The Butler Trail is the 10-mile lush, urban path in the heart of Austin that gets more than 4.9 million visits every year. Since its founding in 2003, The Trail Conservancy has achieved restoration and beautification projects to the Trail’s infrastructure and environment while honoring the original vision of the Trail’s founders and ensuring its vibrancy for generations to come.