It started nearly 20 years ago as a plan to link one of Austin’s most scenic trails, and now the Boardwalk Trail is ready for its public debut.
On Saturday, June 7 at 10 am, residents are invited to the grand opening ceremony of the completed Boardwalk Trail on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake. The festivities, hosted by The Trail Foundation and the City of Austin, will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the eastern end of the boardwalk on Lakeshore Trailhead, followed by a musical performance by Austin Soundwaves.
After that, guests can take the first public stroll across the boardwalk as the Eastside Panther Drumline leads a celebratory march down the trail.
Closing out the day’s ceremony at 11:45 am will be a performance by Blue Lapis Light, the Austin aerial dance company famous for their site-specific performances at Austin landmarks. On Saturday, Blue Lapis will perform under the Interstate 35 bridge, suspended from columns over the lake as they create movements that, like the new boardwalk, symbolize the union of East and West Austin.
The new boardwalk links a 1.1-mile gap in the trail on Lady Bird Lake, allowing thousands of daily users to travel safely along the route. The budget for the project is $27.8 million.
The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk Trail opens on Saturday, June 7.
