When I moved to Austin in 2002, I had a friend who worked for the Austin Parks Dept, Rene Barrera. He was always in charge of projects with volunteers cleaning up areas and improving the wildlife areas. My job took me out of town a lot but one weekend he called to say he had permission to take a ride in one of the city canoes and invited me. Unbeknownst to me he had recruited me to clean up the garbage of Town Lake 🙂 I didn’t mind as I loved the lake and the trail around it. I got the chance to finally live within walking distance from Zilker and the trail for quite a number of years. I’d carry my camera on some days strolling while looking for photo opportunities as well as looking for a way to get closer to the edge of the lake. One day as I passed by an area I had walked by numerous times, I noticed steps that were covered up with brush…so the curious person I was, I pulled away at the brush and found a broken set of steps that led down to the water’s edge. Then I came up on this glorious secret spot of a magnificent oak with such character and personality I just sat and gazed at it for at least a good 30 minutes. I’d found a secret spot I could write and that’s what I did many times. I have no clue if it’s been found by others but I hope it’s still hidden.
Shake up your Wednesday nights with Music on the Trail—a free live music series right on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Every week, the Rainey Street Trailhead lawn transforms into Austin’s coolest outdoor concert spot, featuring incredible local musicians.
We are excited to team up again with the Rowing Dock for Austin’s largest land and lake Earth Day clean-up! Austin is known for its beautiful green spaces and natural attractions like the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Lady Bird Lake. We are all grateful for the opportunity to live and work in Austin, and it’s time to give back to the spaces that provide us with so much.
Join us Saturday, April 26th, from 9 AM - 1 PM at our second annual Holly BioBlitz event! Join local experts and community members in a collaborative effort to unveil the rich biodiversity of our site.
Join us for a free, family-friendly event filled with live music, interactive eco-friendly activities, a vibrant maker’s market, and fun for all ages. Come celebrate, explore, and make lasting memories on the Butler Trail!