New Layers of Onion Creek

Austin Parks and Rec acquires 50 acres of parkland along Onion Creek

After some hazard-clearing, the land will be open as passive parkland.

Photo courtesy of Austin Parks and Recreation

Southeast Austinites will have a sprawling new park soon. Austin Parks and Recreation has announced that it acquired 50 acres of parkland along Onion Creek this May. Visitors will be able to access it in its natural state until the City decides to develop it.

The City counts this acquisition toward its goal to ensure that everyone lives at most 5-10 minutes from a park, walking. For some residents, their respective destination is more exciting than others, and this land looks like it'll satisfy many visitors' desire to be in nature, not just outside.

The technical terminology is "passive park," indicating that the City is only doing a minimum amount of work to maintain the park — namely clearing it from hazards — and essentially deferring further development. A newsletter explains that this system helps the city purchase land when it is relatively inexpensive and do the harder work of creating dedicated recreation areas and programming as demand grows.

Another subjective benefit, depending on how nearby residents feel about parks and nature, is that this approach means they'll get to enjoy the land as-is, indefinitely. The release says the City sees these parks as opportunities for "relief from urban life," where visitors can enjoy the natural features of the land and wildlife.

Onion Creek parkland acquisition The creek creates a serene landscape.Photo courtesy of Austin Parks and Recreation

The announcement offers a general timeline for most new parks: It takes about six months to a year to open them as passive parkland, then a year or two later trails and other improvements become available. Residents can check the park's status on this interactive map.

The City has been using funds from a 2018 bond program to purchase parkland, and it's almost done. This purchase marks 92 percent utilization of the program's funds. It also uses money from 2025's Land Acquisition Fund, which totaled $50 million for water protection, drainage, recreation, and more.

The Onion Creek land, which does not have a name, is part of a more than 200-acre land assemblage that also encompasses Old San Antonio District Park and Wunneburger Neighborhood Park. The City still has more steps to complete in purchasing the entire assemblage. After it completes the larger purchase, it will start vision planning for a possible Metropolitan Park.

In the Loop

Free Zilker Loop shuttle restarts service for summer 2026

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Parking adds stress to what should be a relaxing park day.

Nothing ruins a trip to Zilker Park like the traffic around it, so the City of Austin is bringing back the Zilker Loop, a free weekend and holiday shuttle service. The service will start Saturday, May 23, and run through Monday, September 7.

The 20-minute loop starts at the Stratford Parking Lot (on the north side of the park, between the Zilker Botanical Garden and the volleyball courts) and makes stops throughout the park, including the garden and the Barton Springs Pool. A route update this season also adds the Zilker Hillside Theater as a stop.

The Hillside Theater stop helps visitors get straight to free performances throughout the season; this year's production is Singin' in the Rain, with performances between July 10 and August 15. The same stop also services the Violet Crown Trail Head, which is marked by a new Mile Zero arch, gathering places, and more as of late 2025.

Parking at the Stratford Lot will save visitors money, since they can waive the first two hours of fees using the Park ATX App. On weekends and holidays, parking at Zilker costs $3 per hour.

On days the Zilker Loop is running, including Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Labor Day, it will offer service from noon to 6 pm. When a show is playing at the theater, the shuttle will extend its service until the end of the show. Pets and coolers are not allowed on the shuttle.

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