Austin Parks Foundation Wants You To Name The New Zilker Train

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Parks Foundation has launched a naming contest for the new Zilker train coming to Austin’s Zilker Park in the summer of 2021.

To that end, the community is invited to submit ideas for the name of the brand new train now through Sept. 21. Austin Parks Foundation officials described the group's mission as one committed to preserving the spirit of Austin’s past while completing much-needed upgrades to one of Austin’s most treasured outdoor family activities. Because of the organization’s partnership with the city's Parks & Recreation Department and nearly 30 years of proven results, Austin Parks Foundation was contacted to help find an interim solution for the train while Zilker Park undergoes a master planning process to build a new, long-term vision for the park.

Austin Parks Foundation will operate the Zilker train with proceeds benefiting Zilker Park, while the community has a chance to determine how the train fits into the new vision for the park.

“The decision from city council and PARD for Austin Parks Foundation to take on the operations of the train during this time, versus another concession vendor, will allow us to put proceeds from the train directly back into Zilker and Austin's parks system while the master planning takes place,” Austin Parks Foundation’s Chief Mission Officer Ladye Anne Wofford said in a prepared statement. “We deeply understand the importance that parks play in our lives as Austinites. We are ready to give Austin a train named by them, for them.”

The upcoming contest follows a history of community involvement in the mini train that has run through Zilker Park since 1961. The park's first train, the Zilker Eagle ran for over 30 years. The latest version, the Zilker Zephyr, was named in 1997 following a contest hosted by The City of Austin.

In May of 2019, the privately operated Zilker Zephyr went out of commission due to track erosion. Now, in an effort to make immediate and necessary improvements as the master planning process is underway, Austin Parks Foundation is currently working with an engineering firm to do a structural assessment and determine what needs to be done. The new Zilker train, which is scheduled to make its debut next summer, will be in the style of a 1940s passenger train but, for the first time ever, will be electric, shaded, and ADA accessible. Austin Parks Foundation aims to raise over $525,000 to fund this project and to date has raised $55,000.

Austinites can enter name ideas now through September 21st at austinparks.org/zilker-train/. The submission page also includes a coloring sheet for kids of all ages to use with their naming suggestions. The most popular name ideas will be announced at APF’s Party for the Parks on September 30th, and voting will open at that time for the final selection.

About Austin Parks Foundation

Founded in 1992, Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is dedicated to partnering with our community to enhance people’s lives by making our public parks, trails, and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy, and financial support. APF is focused on creating equitable access to great parks for all Austinites and helps fill the City’s funding and resource gap in order to develop and maintain Austin’s nearly 300 parks. APF fosters unique public/private partnerships and, since 2006, has given over $3 million in community-initiated grants in service to the greater Austin community. APF is known for its annual flagship volunteer event, It’s My Park Day, and is a presenting partner and beneficiary of the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Metropolitan Park. For more information, visit www.austinparks.org.