Shoal Creek Trail Health and Safety Assets Report

Recommendations for improving Austin's oldest hike & bike trail.

Overview

The Shoal Creek Trail Health and Safety Assets Report provides the up-to-date status of current conditions of assets along the Shoal Creek Trail and highlights areas that lack key amenities. We focus on six key assets: seating, lighting, trash receptacles, pet waste stations, water fountains, and restrooms. These features encourage continued use of the trail, both for recreation and transportation purposes. Beyond making the trail more comfortable and usable, these assets are critical for the safety of the trail users and the health of the watershed. The Shoal Creek Conservancy created this report for the public and key decision makers to ensure that the Shoal Creek Trail can effectively serve its purpose.

The report covers the existing conditions of the six assets along the trail, major gaps that need to be addressed, a proposal for additional assets, and a map of ideal trail conditions.


Existing Conditions

Find a detailed description of each type of asset below and to the left of the map. Click on the icons on the map to learn more about the location, condition and functionality of each individual, existing asset.

Existing Assets on the Shoal Creek Trail

Find a detailed description of each type of asset below and to the left of the map. Click on the icons on the map to learn more about the location, condition and functionality of each individual, existing asset.

Seating

This category includes all seating, such as picnic tables with benches, stand-alone benches and other chairs or sitting blocks. Seating is necessary along a trail to promote rest for users who feel the need to break up their walk and to provide a comfortable opportunity for trail users to sit in nature, observe the sights and sounds and connect with the space. Existing seating that is deteriorating or is somehow unsafe or unwelcoming is noted in the report. The  Transportation Criteria Manual  recommends seating every ½ to 1 mile, but because of the heavy use of the Shoal Creek Trail, SCC recommends seating every ½ mile in this report.

Standard urban park bench

Standard suburban park bench

Pet Waste Stations

This category includes any combination of trash can and dispenser with bags for collecting pet waste. These stations provide free pet waste bags to trail users, as well as a place to quickly and conveniently dispose of the waste. Their purpose is to encourage pet owners to pick up their pets’ solid waste, so it does not create a mess on the trail or surrounding public space, as well as prevent the waste from entering nearby bodies of water. Pet waste carries E.e coli and other bacteria that pollute water. Increased waste that runs into creeks and rivers can have a measurable impact on the water quality and the safety for humans and animals to contact that water. We recommend a pet waste station every ½ mile along the trail to encourage users to conveniently and frequently pick up pet waste.

Pet waste station at Twin Oaks and Shoal Creek Blvd.

Trash Receptacles

This category includes trash cans and recycling cans. When not provided with a convenient option to dispose of trash, people are more likely to litter. By providing frequent trash cans, litter is prevented before it is left on the trail or in the creek. According to the standards developed by the Shoal Creek Conservancy, trash cans should be provided every ½ mile along the trail, similar to the frequency of seating. Shoal Creek Conservancy recommends additional frequency of trash cans throughout the Downtown portion of the Shoal Creek Trail due to high volumes of trail users, high volumes of food and beverage establishments and a current, extreme lack of trash receptacles in this area. The current challenge with trash cans on the Shoal Creek Trail in Downtown is the ability to access them for emptying and maintenance. This trail is narrow, located in the flood plain and difficult to get large vehicles to. This is one challenge we seek to address in this report. 

Standard park litter and recycling receptacle.

Lighting

This category focuses primarily on lighting under bridges, as the Shoal Creek Trail passes under many roadways that create dark tunnels. Lighting can both make a space safer for the trail users but can also discourage unwanted activities from occurring on the trail under the bridges. Lighting along the trail outside of underpasses could also assist in the safety and comfort of trail users; however, we will only highlight areas of heightened need in this report’s recommendations due to the length of the Shoal Creek Trail (10 miles) and the feasibility of installing lights along the entire trail. Additionally, all lighting recommendations will take “dark skies” principles into account and will aim to not disturb urban wildlife that coexists in a given space. According to the  Transportation Criteria Manual , trail level lighting shall be provided unless there are sensitive environmental considerations. Taking into account feasibility concerns and lighting priorities, SCC recommends the most important and safety focused lighting upgrades along the trail.

Lighting under 9th Street Bridge

Water Fountains

Water fountains provide the basic service of keeping trail users hydrated and safe while using the trail and surrounding spaces. Especially in Texas, it is extremely  important to stay hydrated  during our hotter months, and dehydration can become a serious condition very quickly. According to the  Transportation Criteria Manual , water fountains are recommended near restrooms, trailheads, larger rest areas, and other public gathering places along the trail.

Standard park drinking fountain

Restrooms

The Shoal Creek Trail currently stretches for 10 miles through many different types of areas. While the downtown portion of the trail may be near many restaurants or other public facilities that provide restrooms, other parts of the trail go for miles with no access to a public restroom. Restrooms not only provide a place for people to stop if they need to use the restroom while traveling along the trail. They also make it possible to sit and enjoy spaces along the trail for longer, such as stopping for a picnic or for a birdwatching session. Many people have concerns about public restrooms, which is one reason they are not prevalent along the Shoal Creek Trail. Concerns include not having maintenance crews who can adequately oversee the conditions of the restrooms and fears of unwanted behaviors occurring in the restrooms. These concerns are valid, and many park restrooms require high amounts of maintenance. Keeping these concerns and challenges in mind, we believe it is worth pursuing opportunities to add restrooms in areas of high use which lack other restroom access. Additionally, the Shoal Creek Trail and Shoal Creek are often sources of refuge for people experiencing homelessness. When unhoused people live along the creek and trail, waste is often an increased concern for the water quality and health of the creek. Public restrooms could help prevent the threats of human waste on the creek and the trail. As a large piece of infrastructure with frequent need for maintenance, restrooms will be recommended in specific locations that seem the most feasible, as opposed to at a set interval.

Park restroom at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park


Major Needs

Currently, the Shoal Creek Trail has asset-rich sections, particularly downtown and at the large parks along the trail. However, there are some significant gaps of assets, particularly in the northern portion of the trail that need to be addressed. We also highlight the need for the downtown portion of the trail to have additional features that are appropriate due to its heavy use.

Explore the table below to understand our criteria for where additional assets are needed.

Asset Type

Proposed Guidelines*

Pet Waste Stations

Located every 0.5 mile along the trail.

Waste Bins

Located on every block downtown (2nd - 9th Street) and every 0.5 mile along the rest of the trail

Seating

Located every 0.5 mile along the trail.

Water Fountains

Water fountains should be present at every trailhead.

Lighting

Trail-level lighting should be present along the length of the trail and under every underpass.

Restrooms

Context specific


Proposal for Additional Assets

Proposed asset below would bring the Shoal Creek Trail up to the standards set by aforementioned users and partners. Cost estimates are based off of currently available City of Austin prices and best estimates.

Asset Proposed

Location

Responsible City Department

Cost Estimates

Downtown Bridge Lighting

5th St, 6th St, 10th St

Transportation and Public Works

50k-100k each

Downtown Trash and Recycling Receptacles

3rd St, 4th St, 7th St, 8th St

PARD

5 at 700 dollars each (pair of trash and recycle) =3500 total

Northern Trail Trash and Recycling Receptacles

Headwaters, SH 183, Steck Ave, Great Northern Ave, McElroy Dr, White Horse Tr, FM 2222, Shoalmont Dr, Hancock Dr, 47th St, 40th St

PARD

11 at 700 dollars each = 7700 total

Signage directing to NW District Park Restroom and NW Rec Center Restroom

North Park Drive and FM 2222

PARD

2 at 1500 dollars each = 3000 total

Restroom at Duncan Park

Shoal Creek Trail and 10th Street

PARD

Water Fountains

Headwaters, FM 2222, 38th Street

PARD

3 at ~10k each = ~30000 total

Pet Waste Stations

Headwaters, SH 183, Steck Ave, Great Northern Ave, McElroy Dr, White Horse Tr, FM 2222, Shoalmont Dr, Hancock Dr, 47th St, 40th St, 31st, MLK Dr

Watershed Protection Department, PARD

13 at 600 dollars = 7800 total

Seating

Headwaters, Mossrock Dr, Steck Ave, Great Northern Ave, McElroy Dr, White Horse Tr, FM 2222, Hancock Dr, 40th St, 12th St

PARD

10 at 780 dollars = 7800 total

All Recommended Assets

Beyond the major proposed additions above, our analysis revealed a variety of other gaps. Navigate through the following slideshow to explore the additional recommended assets along the trail.

Seating

To close existing gaps, 9 new seating areas are recommended in the following locations:

  • 1 between 10th and 15th Street (Kingsbury Commons in Pease Park)
  • 1 between 38th and 45th Street
  • 1 between 47th and NW Recreation Center
  • 1 between NW Recreation Center and Twin Oaks Drive
  • 5 between NW District Park and Headwaters Trailhead

Pet Waste Stations

To close existing gaps, 12 new pet waste stations are recommended in the following locations:

  • 1 between 15th and 24th
  • 1 in Split Rock Canyon between 29th and 31st
  • 1 between 38th and 45th St.
  • 4 between 45th St. and NW District Park
  • 5 between NW District Park and Headwaters Trailhead

Trash Receptacles

To close existing gaps, at least 20 new trash receptacles are recommended in the following locations:

  • At least every block from Lady Bird Lake to 12th Street, except at 2nd Street which is already served by the Austin Central Library. 
  • At least 1 bin between 38th and 45th
  • 5 bins between 45th Street and Northwest District Park
  • 5 bins between Northwest District Park and Headwaters Trailhead

Lighting

Bridge lighting is recommended to illuminate the trail at the following underpasses:

  • 5th street bridge
  • 6th street bridge
  • 10th street bridge

Water Fountains

To close existing gaps, 3 new water fountains are recommended at the trailheads not already served by water fountains: 

  • The headwaters trailhead at 183
  • 38th Street at the North end of Seiders Springs
  • Near 2222 and Northwest Recreation Center

Restrooms / Restroom Signage

To close existing gaps, 2 new restroom signs and 1 new restroom are recommended in the following locations: 

  • Signage at Shoal Creek Trail and N Park Drive, directing trail users to the NW District Park restroom

  • Signage at Shoal Creek Trail and 2222, directing trail users to the NW Recreation Center restrooms

A new custom built restroom in Duncan Park. In April 2024, Duncan Park was reopened with a variety of Parks and Recreation Department-led improvements. These improvements were based on  public feedback  collected in a series of public engagement activities around 2017. This public feedback indicated interest in a public restroom in the park. While a restroom was not installed at the time of the 2023/2024 improvements, a space near the 10th Street park entrance that is out of the floodplain was intentionally left undeveloped for the potential future addition of a restroom.


Conclusion

The City of Austin has invested in high-quality active transportation infrastructure throughout the city and especially on the Shoal Creek Trail. These facilities can and should be improved with the addition of assets for the safety and comfort of all users. This report has highlighted the existing conditions and areas of needed improvement. We hope to see additional facilities in the near future as highlighted in this report.

Swipe to see how adding proposed assets will eliminate asset deserts along the Shoal Creek Trail.

Duncan Park before and after renovations and asset additions. The space has become much more accessible and inviting.

Duncan Park before and after renovations and asset additions. The space has become much more accessible and inviting.

Standard urban park bench

Standard suburban park bench

Pet waste station at Twin Oaks and Shoal Creek Blvd.

Standard park litter and recycling receptacle.

Lighting under 9th Street Bridge

Standard park drinking fountain

Park restroom at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park