North Austin News

The University of Texas at Austin and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department have joined forces to provide Austin residents with the opportunity to witness the upcoming Great North American Eclipse on Monday, April 8. Thanks to this collaboration, residents in all 10 City Council districts will have access to up-close solar viewings in select parks between noon and 3 p.m.

According to Jessica Gilzow, Culture and Arts Program Manager for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, "This total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Austinites to experience being in the path of totality in our city." Gilzow emphasizes the importance of exploring, learning, and experiencing nature and science within the city, highlighting the valuable resource of the University of Texas at Austin.

UT's president, Jay Hartzell, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, "We are excited to partner with the City of Austin to enable eclipse viewing in our neighborhoods and Council districts." Hartzell emphasized the university's commitment to ensuring that the entire city and its visitors benefit from their expertise in astronomy and research.

The collaboration between Austin Parks and Recreation and UT is part of the Austin Area Eclipse Task Force, a community-based planning group that includes various organizations hosting eclipse programming in the city. Residents are encouraged to view the eclipse close to their homes or workplaces to minimize travel and potential traffic disruptions on April 8.

For more information on eclipse viewing locations in Austin, residents can visit austintexas.gov/parkseclipse. Additionally, for official viewing information from the City of Austin and to explore the science, history, and cultural impact of solar eclipses, individuals can visit UT's eclipse hub at eclipse.utexas.edu.