{"id":216051,"date":"2026-03-23T02:10:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T02:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/216051\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T02:10:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T02:10:04","slug":"rodolfo-rudy-mendez-recreation-center-austin-parks-and-recreation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/216051\/","title":{"rendered":"Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center | Austin Parks and Recreation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center Video Tour<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Online<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"form<\/p>\n

Out-Of-School Time Youth Programs<\/p>\n

\"children<\/p>\n

The Parks and Recreation Department is committed to offering programs that foster Youth Development in a safe and caring environment. We believe in creating opportunities for youth that expose them to critical thinking and leadership development while helping explore interest through enhancements, arts, and active play. Come and experience the spectrum of opportunities with the Parks and Recreation Youth Programs.<\/p>\n

Afterschool (Pickup: Sanchez & UT Elementary) (PDF) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0C-Day Camps (PDF)Youth\u00a0Summer CampSkate Crew (PDF)Slime-ology (PDF)Thanksgiving CampSwim Safe\u00a0Youth Sports<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department\u00a0offers year-round co-ed youth sports that teach fundamentals and stress sportsmanship. Our seasonal leagues provide a safe recreational setting structured for a beginner to intermediate player. Lead by volunteer coaches, games are noncompetitive in order to emphasize teamwork and physical fitness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

BasketballSoccerYouth Futsal Drills & SkillsTennis Play DaysFall Youth Sports (PDF)Teen Programs<\/p>\n

\"Teens<\/p>\n

The Parks and Recreation Department is committed to offering programs that encourage Youth Development through outdoor exploration, the arts, critical thinking, and leadership development.<\/p>\n

Totally Cool Totally Art (TCTA)Summer CampToddler Programs<\/p>\n

\"toddlers<\/p>\n

The Parks and Recreation Department is committed to offering programs that foster Youth Development in a safe and caring environment. We believe in creating opportunities to help explore interest through enhancements, arts, and active play.<\/p>\n

Toddler Fundamentals and Fun Sports LeagueNature Play (PDF)First Fridays (PDF)Art in Cahoots\u00a0Adult\u00a0and 50+ Programs\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Seniors<\/p>\n

The Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of\u00a0Senior Programs and Services<\/a>\u00a0for adults and people 50 years of age and older. We are committed to providing an environment that encourages active and healthy lifestyles through recreational and educational programs and services.<\/p>\n

Senior Congregate Meal ProgramVarsity Generation\u00a0Calendar\u00a0(PDF)Zumba (PDF)Core Fitness (PDF)Ceramics (PDF)Pintar y Platicar (PDF)Community and Special Events<\/p>\n

\"Youth<\/p>\n

The Parks and Recreation Department provides opportunities for families, friends and neighbors to come together and socialize, meet new people, enhance existing relationships, and create community.<\/p>\n

October \u2013 Community Halloween Carnival & Haunted HouseOctober – Movies Under the Star Fall SeriesNovember \u2013 Community Thanksgiving DinnerDecember \u2013 Night Before Christmas BreakUpcoming Events (PDF)February \u2013 Youth Valentines DanceMarch \u2013 Dog ExtravaganzaApril \u2013 Community Easter Egg HuntMay \u2013 Loteria FiestaJune \u2013 August \u2013 Movies Under the StarsSeptember \u2013 16 de Septiembre CelebrationMulti-Court Use (Tennis-Pickleball-Badminton)<\/a> (PDF)Fall Brochure <\/a>(PDF)<\/p>\n

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Facility and Grounds Rental Information<\/p>\n

User Guide and Rental Agreement<\/a><\/p>\n

Video Tour of Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center<\/a><\/p>\n

Mendez Recreation Center Staff<\/p>\n

Jonathon Haynes<\/a>\u00a0Recreation Supervisor<\/p>\n

Stephanie Martinez<\/a>\u00a0Program Specialist<\/p>\n

Jesse Titus<\/a> Program Specialist<\/p>\n

Antonia Riojas<\/a>\u00a0Program Instructor<\/p>\n

Cindy Palacios\u00a0Buildings & Grounds Assistant<\/p>\n

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About Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez<\/p>\n

Renaming the Recreation Center<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center was named to honor a pillar of East Austin, Rudy Mendez. Learn more about the process<\/a> and about Rudy.<\/p>\n

Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez, born in Austin in 1944, studied dance and performing arts in New York and Spain. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chile and Costa Rica, touring with each country’s national ballet company and developing performing arts curriculum and programs for youth. In 1978, he returned to Austin and founded the Ballet East Dance Company to provide a platform for young choreographers and dancers and to develop vigorous outreach to Black and Hispanic communities in East Austin. From 1978 to 2000, Mr. Mendez worked for the Parks and Recreation Department as a program specialist at Metz Recreation Center. In 1989, he developed the city-wide program “Dare to Dance,” recognized nationally. Mr. Mendez also created the Folkloric Dance and Mentoring Program to encourage students of living in East Austin to graduate high school. Rudy Mendez died in 2019.<\/p>\n

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