The events begin May 31 and are an extension of the Restore Rundberg program that aimed to revitalize an area of North Austin near Rundberg Lane. Grant funding ended in September 2016, but APD has continued relationships and efforts to reduce crime in the area through the Rundberg Educational Advancement District.
APD District Representative Officer Rafael Kianes said APD is hosting the pop-up events at apartment complexes and will play games and sports with children who live there and provide information to their parents about available summer programs and free lunches.
“We saw that kids weren’t getting in trouble during school times,” Kianes said. “The schools have been doing great and attendance rate is high. But when [children] are getting in trouble it’s during the summer and at the apartment complexes.”
Information provided to parents will include free or low-cost summer camps and other activities with the Austin Parks & Recreation Department, the YMCA at 1000 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin, and the Gus Garcia Recreation Center at 1201 E. Rundberg Lane, Austin.
“It’s extremely important that parents make sure they have a plan for their kids, that they’re not just hanging out at the [apartment],” Kianes said “There are free resources; there is something for everybody. It’s not that [children] are causing problems. A lot of times they just become the victim of a fight. We just want our kids to be safe.”
To help families get around this summer, Capital Metro is also offering free bus and train rides to students in kindergarten through 12th grade starting June 8 through Sept. 1. More details on that at www.capmetro.org.
Austin ISD is serving free lunches to children age 18 and younger at Runnymede, Georgian Manor, and Forest Park apartments during the summer. More information is available at www.austinisd.org/nutritionfoodservices/summer-feed-program.
More details about the available summer camps and programs is available at www.facebook.com/RundbergEducationalAdvancementDistrict.
Pop-up events
- June 4, 9-10 a.m. at Spanish Palms, 1007 E. Rundberg Lane
- June 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Sam Rayburn, 8207 Sam Rayburn Drive
- June 13, 9-10 a.m. at Pebble Creek, 8805 N. Plaza Drive
- June 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Forest Park, 1088 Park Plaza
- June 19, 9-10 a.m. at Cross Creek, 1124 Rutland Drive
- June 19, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Runnymede, 1101 Rutland Drive
