Zilker Metropolitan Park is a recreational area in south
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
at the juncture of
Barton Creek
Barton Creek is a tributary that feeds the Colorado River as it flows through the Texas Hill Country. The creek passes through some of the more scenic areas in Greater Austin, surrounded in many parts by a greenbelt of protected lands that serve ...
and the
Colorado River
The Colorado River ( es, Río Colorado) is one of the principal rivers (along with the Rio Grande) in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The river drains an expansive, arid drainage basin, watershed that encompasses parts of ...
that comprises over of publicly owned land. It is named after its benefactor,
Andrew Jackson Zilker
Andrew Jackson Zilker (1858–1934) was a political figure and philanthropist in Austin, Texas, Austin, Texas, after whom Zilker Park was named. He was the last private owner of Barton Springs.
Biography
Andrew Zilker was born in New Albany, Ind ...
, who donated the land to the city in 1917. The land was developed into a park during the
Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
in the 1930s. Today the park serves as a hub for many recreational activities and the
hike and bike trail around
Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake (formerly, and still colloquially referred to as Town Lake) is a river-like reservoir on the Colorado River in Austin, Texas, United States. The City of Austin created the reservoir in 1960 as a cooling pond for a new city power p ...
, both of which run next to the park. The large size of the park makes it a capable venue for large-scale events such as the
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on two consecutive three-day weekends. Inspired by the KLRU/PBS music series of the same name, the festival is produced by Austin-base ...
and the Zilker Park Kite Festival. The park was listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
in 1997.
History
The land surrounding
Barton Springs
Barton Springs is a set of four natural water springs located at Barton Creek on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, resulting from water flowing through the Edwards Aquifer. The largest spring, Main Barton Spring (also known as Partheni ...
was claimed by its namesake, William Barton, in the 1830s for his cattle ranch. In the 1860s it was acquired by the Rabb family, who operated
mills
Mills is the plural form of mill, but may also refer to:
As a name
* Mills (surname), a common family name of English or Gaelic origin
* Mills (given name)
*Mills, a fictional British secret agent in a trilogy by writer Manning O'Brine
Places Uni ...
on
Barton Creek
Barton Creek is a tributary that feeds the Colorado River as it flows through the Texas Hill Country. The creek passes through some of the more scenic areas in Greater Austin, surrounded in many parts by a greenbelt of protected lands that serve ...
.
In the early twentieth century
Andrew Jackson Zilker
Andrew Jackson Zilker (1858–1934) was a political figure and philanthropist in Austin, Texas, Austin, Texas, after whom Zilker Park was named. He was the last private owner of Barton Springs.
Biography
Andrew Zilker was born in New Albany, Ind ...
bought a plot of land between the
Colorado River
The Colorado River ( es, Río Colorado) is one of the principal rivers (along with the Rio Grande) in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The river drains an expansive, arid drainage basin, watershed that encompasses parts of ...
and Barton Creek, including the Springs, and used the spring water in his ice-making business. Zilker sold his land to the City of Austin in a series of sales in 1917, 1923 and 1931; he donated the proceeds of the sale to a trust dedicated to funding Austin's
public school
Public school may refer to:
* State school (known as a public school in many countries), a no-fee school, publicly funded and operated by the government
* Public school (United Kingdom), certain elite fee-charging independent schools in England an ...
s.
In the 1930s the city transformed the ranch into a space for public recreation, building park amenities and buildings with help from the
Civil Works Administration.
Barton Springs Pool was given a concrete dam and an enlarged swimming area.
In 1934 the park was named Zilker Metropolitan Park, after its donor and patron.
Attractions
In addition to general-purpose lawns, sports fields, cross country courses, historical markers, concession stands and picnic areas, the park includes numerous public attractions.
The
Zilker Botanical Garden
The Zilker Botanical Garden (31 acres; 125,000 m²) is a botanical garden of varied topography located on the south bank of the Colorado River at 2220 Barton Springs Road, near downtown Austin, Texas, United States.
Theme gardens include the Tani ...
features several independently maintained gardens located near the center of the park and hosts the Zilker Gardens Festival every spring. The
Austin Nature & Science Center offers ecological exhibits, nature hike trails, and children's educational programming. The
Umlauf Sculpture Garden adjoins the southeast end of the park, displaying sculptural works by artist
Charles Umlauf
Charles Umlauf (July 17, 1911 – November 19, 1994) was an American sculptor and teacher who was born in South Haven, Michigan. His sculptures can be found in churches, numerous public institutions, outdoor locations, and museums, including the ...
and others. The
Zilker Hillside Theater hosts regular performances by local theatre companies, including free "Shakespeare in the Park" every May and an annual summer musical.
Barton Springs Pool adjoins the park on the east, offering public swimming; other water activities are available in
Barton Creek
Barton Creek is a tributary that feeds the Colorado River as it flows through the Texas Hill Country. The creek passes through some of the more scenic areas in Greater Austin, surrounded in many parts by a greenbelt of protected lands that serve ...
. The Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center by Barton Springs Pool offers exhibits about the natural history of the
Edwards Aquifer
The Edwards Aquifer is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. Located on the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas, it is the source of drinking water for two million people, and is the primary water su ...
that feeds
Barton Springs
Barton Springs is a set of four natural water springs located at Barton Creek on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, resulting from water flowing through the Edwards Aquifer. The largest spring, Main Barton Spring (also known as Partheni ...
. Every winter the
Zilker Holiday Tree
The Zilker Holiday Tree is a 155 foot Christmas tree made from lights draped from a moonlight tower located in Zilker Park (Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Trav ...
is illuminated, along with a Trail of Lights display. The
Zilker Zephyr gauge
miniature railway
A ridable miniature railway (US: riding railroad or grand scale railroad) is a large scale, usually ground-level railway that hauls passengers using locomotives that are often models of full-sized railway locomotives (powered by diesel or petro ...
carries passengers on a tour around the park.
The park's amenities and wide open spaces allow it to host a variety of large events each year. Most notably, the
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on two consecutive three-day weekends. Inspired by the KLRU/PBS music series of the same name, the festival is produced by Austin-base ...
fills the park for two weekends each fall with numerous live musical performances by prominent artists.
Trails
* Roy and Ann Butler Trail encircling Lady Bird Lake
*
Violet Crown Trail
The Violet Crown Trail is a pedestrian and cycling trail in Austin, Texas. Established in 2006 by the Hill Country Conservancy, the trail follows Barton Creek from Zilker Park and Mopac Expressway southwestward before finally terminating at the ...
runs south from Barton Springs Pool to
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin is the state botanical garden and arboretum of Texas. The center features more than 900 species of native Texas plants in both garden and natural settings and is hom ...
Gallery
Zilker park entry portal 2014.jpg, East entrance
Zilker park light standards 2014.jpg, Pool entrance
Zilker train.jpg, Zilker Zephyr
ZilkerPark-2008-04-05-c.JPG, Zilker Botanical Garden
The Zilker Botanical Garden (31 acres; 125,000 m²) is a botanical garden of varied topography located on the south bank of the Colorado River at 2220 Barton Springs Road, near downtown Austin, Texas, United States.
Theme gardens include the Tani ...
ZilkerPark-2008-04-05-a.JPG, Doug Blachly Butterfly Trail and Garden
Austin nature center entrance.jpg, Austin Nature Center
Barton Springs - panoramio.jpg, Barton Springs Pool
Zilker canoe.jpg, Winter canoeing on Barton Creek
Hole 6 - Zilker Park - panoramio.jpg, Disc golf course
Old Mill Spring Austin.jpg, Old Mill Spring
South end of east exterior elevation - Zilker Park Club House, 200 Clubhouse Road, Austin, Travis County, TX HABS TX-3525-2.tif, Clubhouse
Ashford McGill House Austin Texas.jpg, Ashford McGill House
BartonCreek-2009-a.JPG, Barton Creek bridge
Zilker Park Moon Tower (80996503).jpeg, Moontower
ACL2009SBH.jpg, Austin City Limits festival
Trail of Lights Austin.jpg, Trail of Lights
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Parks in Austin, Texas
Cross country running courses in Texas
Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas
Neighborhoods in Austin, Texas
National Register of Historic Places in Austin, Texas
Parks on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas
National Park Service rustic in Texas