Tag Archive for: Public Parks Design

Hill Country Conservancy Violet Crown Trail Butterfly Garden

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Priorities: Ecological Restoration – Native Habitat Creation – Trail System Support
Challenges: Disturbed Construction Soils – Establishing Vegetation in a Public Corridor
Solutions: Soil Decompaction and Amendment – Native Seeding – Temporary Irrigation System

The Violet Crown Trail is a first-of-its-kind regional trail system in Central Texas, connecting Zilker Park to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center across 13 miles, with long-term plans to extend the trail to Hays County. During trail construction, Maas Verde was engaged as a subcontractor to restore an area previously used for construction staging.

The scope of work focused on rehabilitating heavily compacted soils by decompacting and amending the site to support healthy plant growth. A native seed mix was installed to reestablish vegetation and stabilize the disturbed area while aligning with the surrounding ecology.

In addition to seeding, Maas Verde designed and installed a butterfly garden using native plants and boulders to create habitat within the trail corridor. A temporary above-ground irrigation system was installed to support plant and seed establishment, supplied by a 600-gallon water drum. The system required precise calculations to ensure adequate water distribution while remaining flexible for eventual removal.

This restoration effort demonstrates how ecological design and construction can successfully repair disturbed landscapes and enhance public trail environments.

 

Pease Park Retaining Wall

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Priorities: Public Safety – Long-Term Durability – Urban Park Stewardship
Challenges: Construction in an Active Public Space – Adjacent Roadway Conditions
Solutions: Reinforced Retaining Wall – Anchored CMU Base – Limestone Finish

Pease Park Conservancy’s vision for Pease Park centers on accessibility, environmental innovation, and inclusive public space. In support of that mission, Maas Verde Landscape Restoration was engaged to construct a retaining wall adjacent to North Lamar Boulevard, where safety, durability, and public visibility were critical considerations.

Because construction took place within an active urban park, the project required careful coordination to ensure the safety of both park visitors and crew members. The retaining wall was built using anchored cinderblocks as a structural base, reinforced with rebar, and finished with natural limestone to blend seamlessly into the park’s landscape.

Maas Verde worked closely with stakeholders from the Pease Park Conservancy and the City of Austin throughout the process, delivering a solution that balances structural integrity with the park’s natural character. The completed wall supports land stewardship efforts while enhancing safety and resilience along a highly trafficked edge of the park.