The Johnson Creek Trailhead near Austin High School, affectionately called “The Rock,” is the first stop for many Trail users. This popular meeting place sets the tone for each Trail experience — we believe it should shine.
The Trail Foundation has completed renovation of this heavily-used area to give it the beauty and functionality that the Trail and its enthusiasts deserve. With these creative improvements, the trailhead will better serve the 1.5 million users who enjoy the Trail every year.
The Trail Foundation’s long-range Vision Plan identifies this area for a high-priority multiphase enhancement because it is a key gathering place and a major trailhead. Major landscape improvements include native plants in rainwater gardens, drinking water fountains, informal stretching areas, and carefully crafted retaining walls and erosion control. Much-needed restrooms designed by, Studio 8 Architects, were built across the street in the next phase.
TTF planted carefully chosen native Central Texas trees to shade and beautify the Trail as part of our ongoing Healthy Trees for the Trail program. Trees that were removed include invasive non-native species, trees at the end of their natural lives, and old hackberries that have suffered major losses of their brittle branches in this busy area. The removed trees were replaced with native tree species including elm, desert willow, Texas mountain laurel, and Mexican orchid.
We know that 31% of Trail users enter the Trail at this area. We received considerable feedback when we opened our planning to the community by circulating surveys and meeting with key stakeholder groups. The Austin firm of Bosse & Associates designed this enhancement.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Johnson Creek Trailhead Survey. Your feedback helped us better design the space to meet your recreational needs and enhance the natural areas. The results from the survey will continue to help inform our projects.
The Johnson Creek Trailhead received the 2012 Keep Austin Beautiful Best of the Best Award.
Johnson Creek Trailhead Sponsors
Lakefront Sponsor ($50,000+)
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Anonymous[/column]
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The Moody Foundation of Galveston[/column]
Woodland Sponsor ($25,000+)
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Bosse & Associates[/column]
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Studio 8 Architects[/column]
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Roger K. Beasley
Austin Front Runners
LGBT Running Group[/column]
Bridge Sponsor ($10,000+)
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Susan Vaughan Foundation
Katie & Chris Roberts – The DuBose Family Foundation
Kathleen & Peter Huff[/column]
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Craven Family Foundation
The Malloy Family
Griffin Davis & Heather Keating[/column]
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The Pape Foundation
The Charles & Betti Saunders Foundation Fund/Austin Community Foundation[/column]
Creek Sponsors ($5,000+)
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Lynn Currie
Brian and Julianne Ott
Bill Kerr[/column]
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Dave Andreas[/column]
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Margot & Grant Thomas
Susan Plettman Rankin[/column]
Path Sponsors ($2,500+)
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Christopher Kennedy
Gayle Leonard
Laurie & Dave Weaver
Garnett Keith[/column]
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Mike Elhaj
Niland Foundation[/column]
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Jodi & Fred Zipp
Meredith & Jesse Weiss[/column]
Tree Sponsors ($1,000+)
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Nancy & Jack Collins
Anonymous Donor
Sarah Russ
Robert Wynn
Megan & Tony Rankin
Still Water Foundation
Stephanie Shoemaker
Jeff & Kelley Burrus[/column]
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Greg Egger
Cheryl & Jim George
Ten Eyck Landscape Architects
Jacob & Terese Hershey Foundation
Mikiel Featherston
Bonnie Mills
Steve Shook
The GoodLife Team
Alexander & Irene Shoghi[/column]
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William Curra
Kim Heilbrun & Bill Powers
Lyn & Jordan Weingarten
Frank & Shelley Livaudais
Nancy & Bob Inman
Mary Farabee
Matthew Thompson
Mary Phillips[/column]
Donor ($100 to $999)
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Mr. & Mrs. George Ramsey
Jose Cortex & Celia Neavel
Jerry Bell
Dr. & Mrs. N. D. Moscoe
Colin Wallis
Patrick Brian
Carol & Pat Robertson
John & Laura Loudamy
Wesley Hoover
Malou Flato & John Taliaferro
Daniel O’Brien
Kira Zahn
David & Joan Hilgers
Coleen Regan
Kimberly Thompson[/column]
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Lisa Huddleson
Pamela & Michael Reese
Linda Benge
Adrienne & Rick Pappas
Asher & Mark Flynn
Martha & Walter Culperpper
Joanne Ryan
Shelley Scott & Tom Forbes
Jon & Michelle Levy
Carolyn & Tom Curtis
Mike Perrine
Lance Lundberg
David Lee
Frances & Pete Schenkkan
Gijs Van Thiel[/column]
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Annie & Mark McKinnon
John Robertson
Valerie & Sam Dunnam
Douglas Ulman
Tracy & Mark Picone
Sara Kennedy
Dan & Kristi Williams
Ira Craig Hester
Emily Cardwell
Ronald Hebert
Pierce Runnels Foundation
Laura & Jim McBride
Alfred Wilder[/column]
