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Caswell Tennis Center practice courts

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Find another park   Barton Creek Greenbelt East (Loop 360 Access) Location: 3755-B Capital of Texas Hwy. 78704 Map Phone Number: This park is not reservable. Size: 0.00 Acres Amenities: Swimming Areas 1 Trail Miles 7.2

Bench on Gus Fruh Access Trail

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Description: Barton Creek Greenbelt is an urban oasis. Its trails provide opportunity for biking, running, rock climbing, swimming and hiking.

There are several access points to this area of Barton Creek, this record focuses on what is called Loop 360 access at 3755-B Capital of Texas Hwy.

About the Greenbelt Guardians

Often when we think of parks we think of lawns and playgrounds, open spaces bordered in regimented rows of color-coordinated flowers. We love these parks - they let us play frisbee, kick around a soccer ball, or host an event. But Glee Ingram, founder of the Greenbelt Guardians, believes Austin's parks offer us even more, if we take time to experience them. Here in Austin, we have parks of many different kinds, and the ones Glee treasures most give visitors a chance to connect with wilderness and peace.

Glee says of the Barton Creek Greenbelt, "The trail gives me a profound feeling of peace and joy when I walk on it. It is an absolute miracle that there is this natural area in the middle of the city. You can hear owls hooting and see swallows darting." Other Barton Hills neighbors share Glee's sense of inspiration, and together they formed the Greenbelt Guardians group in March, 2003.

Barton Hills Neighborhood Association entered into a formal agreement with the City of Austin Parks Department to adopt two trailheads, Homedale and Gus Fruh. These trailheads are woodland paths connecting neighborhood streets with Barton Creek Greenbelt. After a short walk down the trail, neighbors can hike the seven miles of wooded greenbelt trails along the creek, with numerous waterfalls and swimming holes and caves and rock climbing walls. Says Glee, "You can't find this kind of experience in other cities. When I take people from out of town they are awed by it - they’ve never seen an urban wild space like this."

Since 2003, Greenbelt Guardians have held quarterly volunteer workdays to maintain and improve the entry trails. Over 2,800 volunteer hours have been contributed. Volunteers remove invasive vegetation, reseed and replant native plants, clean up the trash and debris that accumulate from heavy trail and creek use, and do special construction projects, such as footbridges, steps, retaining walls, and drainage diversions. Volunteers are drawn from Barton Hills and surrounding neighborhoods, plus numerous volunteer and service groups. The group makes sure to plan activities for various ages and skill levels so everyone can participate. Because of the Guardians' inclusiveness and enthusiasm, a great spirit of camaraderie and community has grown around tending this wonderful natural space in the midst of the city.

Upcoming Events

No events currently listed for this park.

Partners and Links

Greenbelt Guardians Glee Ingram . .

The Greenbelt Guardians hold regular volunteer events at the Gus Fruh and Homedale trail heads.

Download a trail map
Hike Information from Austin Explorer

Gallery:

This page is a work in progress. Do you have pictures, stories, or additional information about this park you would like to share? We'd love to hear from you. Email Rosie or call 477-1566.

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