The Holly Projects with The Trail Conservancy (TTC) are a series of projects aimed at fulfilling elements of the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach Master Plan and improve the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and its connection in this area. This includes the park area on the north shore from just west of the decommissioned Holly Power Plant at Festival Beach, stretching east to I-35. The area is located in the East Cesar Chavez and Holly Neighborhoods, home to generations of Hispanic/Latinx residents who have worked to preserve the area’s character and its culturally historic sites. During the development of the Vision Plan, the Parks and Recreation Department worked with neighbors and community members to identify priorities. TTC, in alignment with the Vision Plan, is partnering with the Department to implement the following projects:
Holly Shores Fishing Pier (anticipated completion in 2024)
Trailhead, Trail Enhancements, and Play Area
See below for more information.
Holly Shores Fishing Pier
Project Description
Working with the community, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and TTC expect this project to provide area residents and visitors with an ADA-accessible realignment of the Trail along the waterfront with an expanded view and use of the water for fishing or recreation, including the restoration of the wetland habitat along the shoreline, seating under the heritage oaks, and parkland improvements with gathering space that meets the community’s needs. For additional information, visit TTC's project webpage.
Anticipated Project Schedule
Please note that schedules are projected as accurately as possible, but as with any construction projects, all dates are subject to change.
February to August 2019: Gather data and research (complete)
September 2019 to August 2021: Design phase (complete)
April 2023 to May 2024: Fundraising and permitting (ongoing)
May to December 2024: Construction (anticipated)
Community Engagement
Community engagement began in June 2019 and concluded in June 2021. See below for more information.
For questions about this project, contact Elizabeth Barnes, PARD Program Development Coordinator, by email or phone at (512) 974-9483.
Holly Shores Trailhead, Trail Enhancements, and Play Area
In 2024, TTC will begin work on three projects from the Holly Shores Vision Plan: a Trailhead, Trail Enhancements, and a Play Area. These three projects are being brought through a community engagement process and designed together to increase our efforts' richness and with a comprehensive overview. Once the schematic design package has been delivered, The Trail Conservancy will begin funding each project. Subsequently, one project may be funded sooner than another and begin detailed design, permitting, and construction separately.
Project Description
Holly Shores Trailhead
This project will add a new trailhead to the northern entrance to the Butler Trail at Metz Park. It could include shade, seating, signage, and other amenities for the Trail and park users. This trailhead will also mark the connection between the future East Link Trail and the Butler Trail.
Holly Shores Trail Enhancements
This project will add another layer to the recently completed Lakefront Trail. It will create a new concrete multi-use Trail connecting the Butler Trail along the shoreline of the decommissioned Holly Power Plant. This project could include shade, drinking fountains, additional tree plantings, and play features.
Holly Shores Play Area
The Vision Plan highlighted this new one-acre play area between Fiesta Gardens and Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center along Jesse E. Segovia Street. Currently, the site is mowed with Bermuda grass, and there are picnic tables and temporary lighting. The Vision Plan advises to develop this area as a center of children’s activity.
Anticipated Project Schedule
Please note that schedules are projected as accurately as possible, but as with any construction projects, all dates are subject to change.