Two Acres of Neglected Parkland, Restored
The Eastside Family Garden will create a recreational space that blends traditional playscapes, nature play, and inviting gathering areas—all purposefully designed with shade, native restoration, and water access in mind.
Designed for all ages, it will expand access to nature, honor the Holly neighborhood’s cultural heritage, and create opportunities for recreation, stewardship, and environmental education. We are seeking community investment to bring this shared vision to life.
- Multigenerational Accessibility: Play and park features designed for everyone—teens, adults, and seniors—not just young children.
- Enhanced Shade & Comfort: A mix of shade trees and structures to provide relief from the Texas sun.
- Ecological Restoration: Native plantings, lush grasses, and a wildflower meadow preserve the area’s natural beauty.
- Waterfront Connection: Expanded views and access to the lagoon, fostering interaction with nature.
- Versatile Open Lawns: Space for backyard games, outdoor programming, and camp/class staging in partnership with Camacho Activity Center and Mendez Recreation Center.
Design Team: Rialto Studio (Landscape Architect), Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon (Neighborhood Artist Consultant), Cultural Strategies (Community Engagement Consultant), Lys Santamaria (Project Artist).
Through March, April, and May of 2024, photojournalist and member of the Holly Shores Projects design team, Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon interviewed neighbors to capture pieces of the Holly neighborhood’s rich history. The stories and photographs collected encapsulate the essence of the Holly neighborhood today. TTC will submit all stories collected to the Austin History Center to live on for future generations.
Focus Groups:
Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center employees (April 24, 2024)
Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center employee (May 29, 2024)
Interviews by Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon – design team member, artist, and photographer
Tabling
- Tejano Trail of Legends partnership event with Holly Neighborhood Association (April 13, 2024)
- Mendez Recreation Center Cinco de Mayo event (May 2, 2024)
- Bike to School Pop-up at Blackshear Elementary (May 8, 2024)
- Presentation to East Town Lake Citizen Association (April 17, 2024)
- Meeting with East Town Lake Citizen Association Board (May 29, 2024)
Open House Events
- In-person community event at Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center (May 11, 2024) (LINK: see boards from engagement #1)
Survey
- Virtual Survey – La Encuesta en Línea (April 12 – May 19, 2024)
Open House Events:
- In-person community open house at Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center (September 21, 2024)
- Virtual community open house on Zoom (September 25, 2024) (Watch the meeting recording)
- In-person community open house at Mendez Recreation Center (October 7, 2024)
Survey:
- Virtual Survey (September 20 – November 4, 2024)
Open House Events:
- In-person community open house at Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center (April 12, 2025)
- In-person community open house at Mendez Recreation Center (April 22, 2025)
Survey:
- Virtual Survey (April 12 – May 19)
In February of 2012, the City of Austin, through its Contract and Land Management Department and Parks and Recreation Department (APR), hired a multidisciplinary team led by the nationally recognized firm, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc., Landscape Architects of Cambridge MA and Brooklyn, NY (MVVA) to prepare a Park Improvement Master Plan for Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Sr. at Festival Beach.
The Vision Plan was designed with and for the East Austin community to create a vision for a revitalized open space that integrates the redevelopment of the decommissioned Holly Street Power Plant. During the development of the Vision Plan, consultants worked with the neighboring communities through a series of public meetings and outreach efforts to identify priorities from as broad a constituency as possible.
The Powell Foundation
Donate to ensure the Trail and projects like this are maintained now and for future generations. Please contact us for information on how to contribute to this project.
