Rainey Street Trailhead

Located at the end of Rainey Street in downtown, Lady Bird Lake’s Butler Hike and Bike Trail connects the historic district’s growing residential community to Austin’s extensive trail network. Working closely with The Trail Conservancy, the design team engaged the local community to define park goals. A strong desire to restore and highlight the site’s native ecology led to a design that introduces users to a transect of central Texas plant communities—from upland savanna, through riparian woodland, to wetland at the lake’s edge.

The park features the first nature play area along the Butler Hike and Bike Trail system. The play area is bordered by planting beds that promote sensory experiences and introduce children to pollinator species. Loose-parts-play, made from reclaimed natural materials such as logs and sticks, allows children to develop motor skills while sparking their imagination.