Monday, February 13, 2023

Community Celebration of New Northern Walnut Creek Trail Extension


Two women walk along the new Northern Walnut Creek trail extention.

Join Austin Public Works Urban Trails Program for an afternoon of public festivities celebrating the opening of a new section of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail! Stop by Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park on Saturday, March 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting, live music, a food truck, and fun activities on the new 1.3-mile trail. 

  • 11 a.m. Council Member Leslie Pool will provide welcoming remarks in the Walnut Creek Park Pool Parking Lot, adjacent to the new trail (12138 N. Lamar Blvd.) 

  • Ribbon cutting ceremony 

  • Live music by Ashton “Infinity Jones” Deary 

  • A youth bicycle ride led by Ghisallo Cycling Initiative 

  • A guided family nature walk led by a Biologist 

  • Food truck with food for purchase 

Prior to the event, several community groups will be participating in It’s My Park Day volunteer activities near the new trail.  

Limited parking is available in Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, please consider biking or taking public transportation. More details about the event can be found here. 

New trail under North Lamar Blvd. bridge.
New trail beneath North Lamar Blvd. (top photo.) New connector trail at Oakbrook Dr. (bottom left.) Two people walk along the new trail in Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park (bottom right.)
New trail connector at Oakbrook Dr.
Two people walk along the new northern walnut creek trail extention

About the new Northern Walnut Creek Trail extension: 

The new section of urban trail was designed and constructed by Austin Public Works Urban Trails Program, and connects Oakbrook Drive to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. The path goes beneath North Lamar Boulevard, making it easier for residents who are walking or biking to access destinations and amenities across this busy corridor. The trail was made possible with funding from the 2016 Mobility Bond and funds from the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. 

“In 2009, City Council passed a resolution stating that all residents should have access to a public park within a ten-minute walk from their home. But having a park located close to your home doesn't mean you have a safe way to get there along city streets,” said Council Member Leslie Pool. “And that's where our urban trails enter the picture: with each new urban trail, we’re making it safer and easier for thousands of residents to walk or bike to our parks to enjoy our city’s open spaces.”

With the new addition, the Northern Walnut Creek Trail now totals 4.4 miles one-way, from Balcones Neighborhood District Park to Oakbrook Drive. The Urban Trails Program plans to eventually connect the Northern Walnut Creek Trail to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, but four sections of the trail must be built before the 19-mile trail system connects Govalle Neighborhood Park in east Austin to the Balcones District Park in North Austin. Learn more about future Walnut Creek Trail projects here. 

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