The concept of a fishing pier originated from the Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. at Festival Beach Master Plan approved by the Austin City Council in 2015. “…recommendation is to build a high level fishing pier and viewpoint over the lake, immediately next to the warehouse plaza and close to the main bike and pedestrian trails. This could be a quiet place to seek respite from the city on a weekday morning, or full of people, perhaps even hosting a small event on the weekend.”

When TTC first launched this project from the Master Plan, one of the key initial steps was pinpointing the exact location and orientation, as the Master Plan indicated that “locations of project elements are conceptual and subject to change based on engineering, permitting, and design development.” Initially, the chosen site was not publicly accessible, and the community had begun using an informal water access point further west near the lagoon. However, after gathering community feedback, which was overwhelmingly positive about the adjusted location, TTC proceeded with detailed design development at the newly favored site.

The concrete trail shown in the design is part of a separate project run by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) recently opened. Due to their funding sources, PARD was required to construct the trail from concrete and not some other material.  

The existing boat dock on the lagoon is privately owned and maintained by the Lorraine Camacho Activity Center. There is currently no public access to this dock. Please contact the Lorraine Camacho Activity Center for their list of programs and events that use this dock.

Drawing from previous community engagement, this project was intentionally designed to retain its character as a small neighborhood park and not a place for large groups of people to congregate. The Holly Shores Vision Plan provides larger community gathering areas near the existing Camacho Activity Center main building.

The Trail Conservancy recognized the potential of a future bridge connection as one of the 15 Projects for the 15th Anniversary. As outlined, TTC has committed to conducting a feasibility study to connect the new trail alignment at Holly Shores to the peninsula off Lakeshore Blvd.

In the current design, no additional drinking fountains are included. There are two existing drinking fountains, one near the baseball diamond and parking lot and the other near the Lorraine Camacho Activity Center. A new trash and recycling receptacle will be installed near the pedestrian bridge during the PARD lakefront trail project.

The Trail Conservancy recognized the potential of a future bridge connection as one of the 15 Projects for the 15th Anniversary. As outlined, TTC has committed to conducting a feasibility study to connect the new trail alignment at Holly Shores to the peninsula off Lakeshore Blvd.

One of the preliminary concept sketches showed a possible stone pergola near what is now a fishing pier. The community-guided Holly Shores Vision Plan indicated that the pavilion and family gathering areas should be closer to the existing Camacho Activity Center. Regulatory complications were another one of the reasons the pergola was not feasible so close to the water’s edge.

Existing parking will remain nearby at the Camacho Activity Center. The fishing pier is highly regulated, so there is a limit to the size that can be installed. Additionally, the Festival Beach boat ramp remains open and will be preserved as shown in the Holly Shores Vision Plan.