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Travel and Outdoors

Rainey Street Trailhead opens at the tip of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

The new park area has something for all Austinites — young and old — with play areas, seating, a dock, and access to the rest of the trail.

July 12, 2024 • 
Laura Figi
A view of moveable logs and steps for kids to play in front of a large oak tree.

Kids can run and play in this natural building area, where there are trees and stumps for building and jumping.

Photo by ATXtoday

Austin has a new daytime destination: the Rainey Street Trailhead.

The new park opened at the corner of Rainey and Cummings streets — an entry point at the tip of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail — on Friday, July 12.

Mayor Kirk Watson cuts the ceremonial orange ribbon opening the trailhead, surrounded by Trail Conservancy staff and City Councilmembers.

Mayor Watson also said the Trailhead “creates safe access from the neighborhood to the trail and to the lake,” before cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Photo by ATXtoday

“The Rainey Street Trailhead is a critical piece of all of the puzzles that we’re working on,” Mayor Kirk Watson said at the opening. “It’s turning an underutilized area into a more stable ecological area.”

Here’s what the trailhead has to offer:

  • An area with organic play materials made of recycled trees and a sand pit
  • A lush lawn and picnic tables
  • A dock for stand-up paddleboards and kayaks
  • A public restroom
  • Native plants and ecological restoration
A view of the new dock shrouded by greenery.

Next time you hit the water, setting off at this dock will make it easier.

Photo by ATXtoday

Additionally, the $1.1 million project includes safety improvements like security cameras, pedestrian-scale lighting along East Avenue and the trail, and expanded split rail fencing.

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