Inside the Trail Conservancy’s Arts & Culture Plan

More art exhibits, artist residencies, and public spaces are en route to Austin’s green spaces.

A view in front of Auditorium Shores at dusk with people in folding chairs.

The current plan spans three years, but will be updated over time.

Photo by ATXtoday

To know the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is to love it, and the trail is getting some well-deserved TLC with the implementation of the Arts & Culture Plan.

The next three years hold a plethora of changes to the trail and surrounding areas — including adding art exhibits, updated equipment, artist residencies, and public spaces — let’s look at a few of them.

A rendering of exercise equipment at Butler Shores.

Construction and replacement of facilities began in late 2022.

Rendering via The Trail Conservancy

Butler Shores Exercise Equipment Enhancement | 200 S. Lamar Blvd.
Once complete, Butler Metropolitan Park will mark a public recreation area — complete with exercise equipment, seating, and drinking fountains — house boat ramps, and become home to the Dougherty Arts Center when it is relocated. View the design boards.

A rendering of the Holly Project Site Plan.

The Holly Project will celebrate improvements in spring 2024.

Rendering via The Trail Conservancy

Holly Project | 2711 Canterbury St.
This plan will bring seating, sustainable ecological restoration, a new trailhead, and water access to the now-defunct Holly Power Plant in spring 2024.

A rendering of the inside of the Seaholm Waterfront plant.

Phase one consisted of cleaning the indoors, making ADA improvements, and removing outdoor graffiti.

Rendering via The Trail Conservancy

Seaholm Waterfront | 707 W. Cesar Chavez St.
The decommissioned art deco building is currently in phase two of redevelopment to become a public space. Once complete, the space will have a cafe, front porch, public Wi-Fi, lake access, and a public landscaped lawn.

Want to make your voice heard? Attend the Trail Conservancy’s Arts + Culture Plan Open House from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, May 20.