The Trail Conservancy is currently working on improving the Trail and its connections, implementing additional elements proposed in PARD’s Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Sr. Park Vision Plan. The Vision Plan designed a vision for a revitalized open space that integrates the redevelopment of the decommissioned Holly Street Power Plant.
Throughout this community engagement and schematic design process, TTC worked to understand the priorities and values of stakeholders and the community for the projects. Those are represented in these final designs for the spaces. You can see the feedback from our community engagement and learn about the Holly neighborhood community’s vision with our comprehensive visual story map:
The Trail Conservancy held community engagement and schematic design for all three original projects (Play Area, Trail Enhancements, and Trailhead) to increase the richness of our community engagement efforts and design with a comprehensive overview. With the completion of this phase of work, the original projects will become two separate projects for fundraising efforts: the Eastside Family Garden (formerly Play Area) and the Lakefront Trail Park (formerly Trail Enhancements and Trailhead).
The Eastside Family Garden will revitalize over 2 acres of neglected parkland, creating 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.
Through extensive community engagement, overwhelming support for the Eastside Family Garden was clear. Our design reflects key themes voiced by the community, ensuring it serves all ages and needs:
- 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.
The Lakefront Trail Park will transform nearly 10 acres along the Lady Bird Lake shoreline into a dynamic, accessible, and ecologically vibrant space. Thoughtfully designed to balance recreation, restoration, and connectivity, the project will feature:
- Scenic Meandering Footpaths that embrace the lake edge.
- Lake Overlooks & Water Access to deepen engagement with the shoreline and riparian environment.
- Expanded Shade & Comfort through a mix of shade trees and structures.
- Bike Skills Courses to support education programs at Camacho Activity Center and Mendez Recreation Center.
- Restored Meadowlands & Riparian Zones reinforcing native ecosystems while providing immersive nature experiences.
- Manicured Lawn & Open Spaces for recreation, relaxation, and community activities.
- Trailhead at the intersection of the Butler Trail and the EastLink Trail to connect and orient visitors and Trail users
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)
- 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)
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.
The proposed projects are a series of projects outlined as priorities in the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach Vision Plan. The Trail Conservancy will lead the projects to improve the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and its connection to the neighborhood. During the development of the Vision Plan, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department worked with neighbors and community members to identify priorities. TTC, in alignment with the Vision Plan, is partnering with the Parks Department to implement the following projects:
- Fishing Pier (starting construction in Fall 2024; anticipated completion in Spring 2025)
- Three distinct projects referenced as Trailhead, Trail Enhancements, and Play Area (these three (3) distinct projects are located in the area adjacent to the Holly Power Plant and Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center)
The design of each distinct project is community-driven. That’s to say, neither TTC nor any future project donors will independently choose the elements of these projects. TTC is working with the community to understand community priorities and values regarding the project. Three engagement stages will occur in the project design phase to establish the overall design and park elements from community input. Engagement events will include open houses in the park at neighborhood recreation and amenity centers, focus groups, virtual meetings, online surveys, and tabling at local events. The designs of each distinct project will be based on the input received from these engagements and will align with the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach Vision Plan.
The project intends to provide spaces that are open, free, and accessible to the community. Depending on the final design, the projects could include reservable spaces, such as a picnic area/shelter. More information about picnic areas in Austin parks can be found here (including reservations at the nearby Martin pavilion): https://www.austintexas.gov/page/special-events-policies-procedures#picnic
Once the projects are complete, TTC will be responsible for all maintenance of the newly built areas except large tree trimming and trash/recycling collection. Maintenance costs for the first five years are included in the total project budget.
In June 2022, TTC signed a Park Operations and Maintenance Agreement (POMA) with the City of Austin outlining terms for the expanded partnership, including land management. The agreement encompasses a detailed Operations and Maintenance Plan for the day-to-day management and restoration of the 10-mile Ann & Roy Butler HIke-and-Bike Trail and almost 300 acres surrounding it within the Town Lake Metropolitan Park. This includes plantings, mowings, general maintenance, etc.
We are currently in the projects’ community engagement and schematic design phase. Nearing completion of each project’s fundraising phase, TTC plans to hire an artist consultant. The consultant will advise how to best bring the art and culture vision set in the Public Art Action Plan for the Holly Shores Vision Plan area to life. This Public Art Action Plan for the Holly Shores Vision Plan was completed by the City of Austin in 2013.
This area is already home to existing murals currently maintained by the City of Austin Art in Public Places (AIPP) program. AIPP will lead any future murals in the project spaces as well.
We have heard from the community and those artists who worked within the area that the communities surrounding the park have a long tradition of the arts being integrated into their everyday lives. The surrounding neighborhoods largely hold their collective identity through creative expression, from front-yard shrines to expressive murals to original music.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department operates an existing splash pad at Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez Recreation Center located at 2407 Canterbury Street. The splash pad location is adjacent to this project area. Because of the proximity of an existing splash pad, TTC does not have plans to duplicate this amenity but rather bring unique community-driven amenities to the project space.
TTC’s POMA boundary does not include the area around the proposed Expedition School kayak dock project. This means that TTC has no involvement, influence, or impact on anything relating to that project. For more information on the ordinance pertaining to the Expedition School dock, please visit the City of Austin’s website – https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=331933.
