One of the last segments to make a continuous trail from Lady Bird Lake to Mabel Davis Park is another step closer to becoming a reality.
The Planning Commission last week approved an environmental variance for construction work expected to start in 2024, a portion of which involves a trail underpass at East Riverside Drive known as Country Club Creek Trail.
The city is requesting to allow cut greater than four feet within 100 feet of a classified waterway. In this case, that’s needed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and to make stream channel modifications in limited areas to address ongoing erosion.
The variance was presented to the Environmental Commission in February. It was recommended with conditions – erecting wayfinding signs in Spanish and English, leveling the signs at heights accessible for children and people using wheeled mobility devices to read, and ensuring shade or trees near boulders.
Dylan Johnstone, a project coordinator with the city, said the changes are based on a health assessment of the floodplain performed by Watershed Protection Department staff, who found the changes would help create a significant environmental benefit. Currently, issues involve the streambank scoring “fair” in a functional health assessment and limited space existing between apartments and the creek.
Restoration work would involve a wildflower meadow, native plantings and protective work in the streambed.
“We’re kind of going just beyond erosion protection here and looking to improve the floodplain and the growth water quality zone at the same time,” Johnstone said.
Less than a mile long, the trail is located entirely within District 3. It was first imagined in the early 2000s where it now sits along the creek between two apartment complexes.
The plan was part of the trails plan adopted by City Council in 2014, and it was designated as a high-priority trail. Once completed, it will allow pedestrians to travel without walking or biking along a major road, a goal of the surrounding community to accomplish connectivity.
Commissioners and others shared hopes about how the trail will benefit Austinites and create more outdoor opportunities.
“Now the area down there along Riverside and in the triangle between East Riverside, Lakeshore and South Pleasant Valley Road, most of this area has been gentrified and is very upscale,” said Malcolm Yates, representing the East Riverside/Oltorf neighborhood.
He added, “What this trail will be – it will open up this entire area to more recreational opportunities for the low-income residents.”
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City of Austin Planning Commission: This commission addresses issues of land use as assigned to it by Austin's City Code. These include the abilities "[t]o make and amend a master plan, recommend approval or disapproval of proposed zoning changes and control land subdivision within neighborhood planning areas and submit, annually, a list of recommended capital improvements." It has sovereign authority, or the right to make final decisions on certain cases.
