The Walnut Creek Regional Trail system was originally proposed by the Parks Department in the late 1990s as the city’s first regional trail system. The trail will be approximately 20 miles long once complete with bookend trailheads at Balcones District Park in northwest Austin and Govalle Park in southeast Austin. Implementation of the trail system has been divided into multiple phases/sections for planning and construction. District 7
Updates
As of August 12th, portions of the new trail extension under the Section 2A project was opened up to the public. The boardwalks and two bridges that cross the creek remain closed to the public and continue to be an active construction site. Due to manufacturing delays, the work is now expected to be complete and open to the public in February 2023.
Please Note: For the safety of trail users and construction Crews, Please DO NOT CROSS THE ORANGE SAFETY FENCE or move trail closed signage and/or barriers in the trail. We appreciate your patience as we work to extend the regional trail system.
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Background
The Walnut Creek Regional Trail system was originally proposed by the Parks Department in the late 1990s as the city’s first regional trail system. The trail will be approximately 20 miles long once complete with bookend trailheads at Balcones District Park in northwest Austin and Govalle Park in southeast Austin. Implementation of the trail system has been divided into multiple phases/sections for planning and construction.
Project Description
In Progress
Phase 2A of the Northern Walnut Creek Trail began construction in late October 2021. The Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the Public Works Urban Trails Program to fund, manage and implement the trail. The 1.3-mile section of 12-foot wide concrete trail continues the existing Northern Walnut Creek Trail Phase 1 with a trailhead in the Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, heads east crossing under Lamar Blvd. and ends at Oakbrook Dr. This section of trail has three sub-phases to clarify the areas of work (see the map provided in project update above).
Phase 2B will continue the trail from Oakbrook Dr. to I-35. This trail section is under review by Engineers for a recommendation to the city for a final route.
Phase 3 of the regional trail project will continue from I-35 to connect to the existing Southern Walnut Creek Trail south of Hwy 290. This phase of the trail project is in design development and is anticipated to begin the permit review process in late 2022. For more information and to see the Preliminary Engineering Report, please visit the Public Works Urban Trails webpage at Walnut Creek Trail System | Open Data | City of Austin Texas
Complete
- Southern Walnut Creek Trail
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8.7 miles of trail from Govalle Park to Johnny Morris Rd/Daffan Lane. Completed 2014.
- Northern Walnut Creek Trail Phase 1 and 1A
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3.5 miles of trail from Balcones District Park to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. Completed 2014 Phase 1 and 2019 Phase 1A.
Anticipated Schedule
Northern Walnut Creek Trail Phase 2A
- Fall 2021: Construction Start (ongoing)
- Spring 2023: Construction Complete
Northern Walnut Creek Trail Phase 2B
- Fall 2021: Planning Start
- Fall 2022: Planning Complete
- To Be Determined: Design and Construction to be determined after review
Community Engagement and Funding
For information on past community engagement and funding resources, you can visit Walnut Creek Trail System | Open Data | City of Austin Texas.
Related Projects
The Public Works Urban Trail Program is also working on trail sections that will connect to the regional trail system.
Those sections include:
- The Copperfield Elementary Connector
- The La Loma Trail Connector
- The Austin to Manor Trail System
Contact Information
For questions on this project, please contact D'Anne Williams, PARD Project Manager, by email or (512) 974-9456.