The document is about protecting Austin's green spaces, specifically Shoal Creek. It references how places take on meaning and value as people get to know them. Austin began along its creeks and greenbelts, which are described as Austin's "thin green line." The document discusses the importance of these green spaces to Austin's identity and fighting to protect places that hold symbolic meaning from changes that threaten them. It promotes the Shoal Creek Conservancy's efforts to preserve Austin's green areas.
22. …we are willing to
fight for places that
are more central to
our identities…this is
especially true when
important symbolic
meanings are
threatened by
prospective
change…
Richard Stedman
Eastern amberwing, one of the smallest dragonflies along Shoal Creek. All images in this presentation are by Ted Lee Eubanks, and all rights are reserved.
Horsemint. The quote is from Yi-fu Tuan’s Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience .
Mouth of Shoal Creek at Lady Bird Lake. Waterloo, the original settlement in this area and the precursor of Austin, must have been between here and Waller Creek.
West 3 rd railroad trestle over Shoal Creek. The trestle once carried passenger trains downtown to the two depots located there. This is a potential highline styled park.
Left: West 6 th Steet Bridge (1887). Right: Shoal Creek looking north toward the West 3 rd Street RR trestle.
Left: Seaholm, site of a former City of Austin power plant now being developed into multi-use. Right: Underneath the West 3 rd Street RR trestle
Custer’s Oak, Pease Park
Duncan Park
The Arches, Pease Park, just north of West 24th
Spanish moss overhanging Shoal Creek in Pease Park
Left: Split Rock, Shoal Creek immediately south of West 31 st Right: Child playing in the Splash Pad at Pease Park
Shoal Creek looking west toward Custer’s Meadow
Left: Wood duck, common nesting duck on Shoal Creek Right: Four-spotted pennant, common dragonfly around Shoal Creek and the Colorado River
Left: American snout (butterfly) Right: Mating pair of neon skimmers (dragonflies)