Fortlandia is coming to the Butler Hike and Bike Trail! The Trail Foundation will unveil territories., an interactive urban greenspace experience designed by Mark Odom Studio, on the east side of the Trail at Lakeshore Park on Friday, June 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. See the exact location of the installation here.

territories. was part of the very popular Fortlandia event last year at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the installation has been re-imagined to reflect the new site on the Butler Trail in partnership with Austin Parks and Recreation.

Fortlandia is a collection of forts designed by local architects, designers, and artists, designed to transport viewers to imaginary worlds and spark an appreciation for art and nature.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with our friends at the Wildflower Center to host territories., and can’t wait to see children and adults alike enjoying this new creative, interactive feature on the Trail,” says The Trail Foundation CEO Heidi Anderson.

The concept behind Mark Odom Studio’s territories. is derived from the game “pickup sticks.” The fort establishes a series of shelters, or territories, which can be continually redefined by its occupants. The layered materials that comprise the installation are meant to expose infinite ways to tunnel, crawl, claim, and discover space. 

Mark Odom Studio collaborated with Jeremy Smith of Citadel Development Services, Matthew Conklin of Makehaus Design & Fabrication Studio, and Nathan Nordstrom, aka Sloke One, on the project. “The second life of territories. allows even more people the chance to engage and perhaps stay a little longer out in nature. Wayfinding and sight lines from different access points were addressed in this new iteration and we welcomed the opportunity to work with The Trail Foundation and City of Austin on further activating green space along the Trail,” says Mark Odom, founding principal, Mark Odom Studio.

About The Trail Foundation
The Trail Foundation’s mission is to protect, enhance, and connect the Butler Hikeand-Bike-Trail at Lady Bird Lake for the benefit of all. The Butler Trail is the 10-mile lush, urban path in the heart of Austin that gets more than 4.4 million visits every year. Since its founding in 2003, The Trail Foundation has achieved restoration and beautification projects to the Trail’s infrastructure and environment, while honoring the original vision of the Trail’s founders and ensuring its vibrancy for generations to come. For more information, please visit www.thetrailfoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @thetrailfoundation, and Twitter @ttfaustin. More information on volunteering with TTF here.

About Austin Parks and Recreation
Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) seeks to inspire our community to learn, play, protect and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places. PARD protects and maintains parkland, urban forest, and trails as well as offering sports, recreation, educational enrichment, arts programs, cultural opportunities, and nature and aquatic activities for Austinites. For more information visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks.

About Mark Odom Studio
Founded in Austin, Texas, by principal Mark Odom, Mark Odom Studio aims to listen, observe and edit to produce experiential architecture that embodies the client's vision and responds purposefully to context and the wellness of our environment. Mark Odom Studio works with a diverse group of stakeholders and developers that range between mixed-use, retail, infill multi-family housing, and single family. For more information, visit www.markodomstudio.com. Follow on Facebook and Instagram @markodomstudio.