12th and Chicon

12th and Chicon is ostensibly the 'worst' intersection in Austin. Police have cracked down hard on this area of central east Austin for the drug and gang related activity. When I went there on each side of the intersection were African American people, many more people than at other intersections and predominantly male. This is historically the black part of Austin. Some people were waiting on the bus stop, some were waiting in parked cars, some were just sitting on the street corner, and some were walking through the intersection. I went during the afternoon although I have been there previously during the evening. During the evening there are a lot more women than during the afternoon, ostensibly because they are trying to pick up clients. There is definitely drug trade going on around that intersection.

The discussion and debate around the intersection is intriguing considering the gentrification of the area and the increasingly diasporic nature of the black population in Austin. While the population of all other racial groups has grown in Austin, the African American population has decreased. What is causing this demographic shift? Foursquare may provide a clue. On Foursquare the intersection is listed as a drugstore/pharmacy. I checked in. Foursquare is exclusively used by people with the privilege to afford a smartphone, most likely not used by many of the people who spend time at the intersection. I have no way to verify this, but my educated guess would be that white hipsters labeled this intersection as a drugstore for the comedic effect. This is a small but tangible effect of gentrification in east Austin. I view gentrification as micro-colonization. Poorer white ex-students and young professionals without the means to live in other parts of Austin like Hyde park or south Austin have started taking up space in central east Austin, particularly with the new 'affordable' homes and apartments built in the area by the city. This in effect is an affront to the historically black area of Austin and furthers white domination. East Austin used to be the white part of town because it had the best farmland. Once farming was not the main way people made a living, the east side became marginalized. This split became definite when the railroad came in. Where I-35 is today, there used to be a railroad. It cuts Austin in half rather intentionally thereby creating segregation. The heavy police presence in that area is an effect of the ghettoization of central east Austin. As a result more people become picked up by cops for minor offenses. This has increased with the new white residents in the area. They want their property protected from vandalism and theft and so call for more police presence. In turn, as more black people get thrown into the criminal justice system, it makes it harder for them to be gainfully employed, and thus more likely to turn to crime. This benefits the new white residents because this frees up more space to be colonized by yet more white residents looking for cheap housing. As more white residents move in this raises property values, making it harder for the existing residents to keep their property and they are forced out.

Shoal Creek

Shoal Creek is a local gem, sporting a pleasant hiking trail.  It is serene and gives one the full impression of being in nature, despite the creek going through the City of Austin.  It has is a concrete walkway that's easy to traverse, but the trail occasionally changes to gravel.  Along the trail, there are different areas with different themes.  The most interesting one, in my opinion, was one titles "Shells".   This amazing trail delves into a canyon-like scene.  The canyon-like formation is the result of water erosion and a walk through it reveals impressions of shells. These shells are authentic fossils, observable to anyone that visits. It is mind-bending thinking about how those fossils got there:  Central Texas was once the floor of the ocean, and we have proof of it in a local park.

The other areas weren't as novel, however.  The creek itself was very soothing, and it was interesting crossing it at certain points along the path.  The scenery was also very relaxing, with grass and trees in the area.  The trail also goes through Pease Park, another well frequented area in Austin.

Source:http://www.austinbike.com/mtb/shoalcreek/image01.jpg

I problem I had with the trail was that there was a substantial amount of garbage along the sides of the creek, but it is a forgettable blemish the area possesses.  Overall, the walk down the trail was enjoyable.  It spans several miles, and is even cut by 15th Street.  People bring their dogs, and seeing them play is a sight for sore eyes.  Some people use bike trails along the hiking trails, and others just hike.  I would definitely visit again (I live a few minutes away), and I would recommend this area to anyone that wants to take a relaxing walk through a nice trail.

LouisvilleWaterfront Park

http://brokensidewalk.com/2009/03/04/striking-visions-of-louisvilles-future-within-our-grasp/

Waterfront Park- Lousiville, KY

            The weekend of July 14, some friends and I traveled to Louisville, KY for a music festival called Forecastle. The festival took place in Waterfront Park, located in downtown Louisville. To put in into an Austinite’s terms, it is their Zilker Park. Set on the Southern Shore of the Ohio River, the park offers a place in which visitors can enjoy the beautiful aspects of nature without leaving the urban environment of downtown Louisville. The park works as an extension of downtown into the river, or alternatively, integrating the river with downtown.

            There are three sections to the park: one section consisting of large open lawns and sparsely decorated with trees, a second section with smaller open areas where one can feel completely separate from the city, and the third section which connects the first two, contains restrooms, a picnic area and other amenities.

            Arriving to out hotel on Thursday afternoon, we did not see the festival grounds on the way in. We left the Courtyard Marriot, walked two blocks north and the Ohio River was in sight. As we walked east and approached a line, I wondered where they would be able to fit a festival of this size. Immediately passing through the security gates, one could see a series of stands, an overpass from the highway above, and finally an amazing canvas of blue and green providing a break from urbanization, kind of. Given that this was a music festival, there were many stands, stages, and people so I was not able to see the park in its true form. Nonetheless, the park holds a striking view of downtown Louisville to the rear, green grass and trees, followed by a broad river, and the state of Indiana in the distance (which Louisville locals were not too fond of).

louisvilleky.gov

            Like Zilker, this natural environment is a great venue to hold large events such as ACL or Forecastle. What better place to enjoy music than in an oasis in the midst of the bustling metropolitan environment. When an event isn’t held there, the park is still an ideal place to enjoy the nature and escape city life, and from speaking to locals from the area, it is a very popular location for those who appreciate nature. Whether one wishes to kayak, ride their bicycle, jog, rinse off in the waterplay area, attend a concert or simply enjoy the outdoors, Lousiville Waterfront Park is an outstanding place to enjoy the natural environment.

Austin BMX & Skate Park

Most municipal parks set aside scenic environments so that the public at large can appreciate the natural beauty free from commercial development. Austin BMX & Skate park, informally known as House Park because of the adjacent football stadium bearing the same name, is not one of those parks. Instead, it seeks to mimic landscape features normally found in urban commercial development as obstacles for skateboarders and BMX bicycle riders. The growing popularity of skateboarding in particular, fueled by successful video game franchises and events like the X-games, makes the need for a park like this more apparent. The commercial landscape is what is being preserved and protected here, in that the park provides skaters and bikers with substitute structures for their potentially destructive craft.

Jay Janner/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

The park sits on 30,000 square feet located near Lamar and 12th Street. The layout includes hand rails, steps, platforms, and what is essentially a forever-empty swimming pool. These features were designed to take abuse, unlike the 'authentic' urban structures they copy. Park policy states that any stickers or graffiti will cause the park to remain closed until it can be removed, and the park remains almost entirely clean as a result. I noticed skaters, and to a lesser extent bikers, of all ages and skill levels. Admission is free.

Pictured below is the 'Iron Wave', a skate-able work of art designed by Chris Levack.

Seaholm Power Plant

Seaholm Power Plant

The Seaholm Power Plant on E. Caesar Chaves and Lamar looks like it is straight out of Gotham City. I have always liked the look of the red lettering on the outside so I decided this would be a perfect place to write about.

This power plant is not in use anymore. It ceased operations in 1989 ( it was actually built in the 50’s). I learned that instead of tearing it down they decided to transform it into a center of activities such as concerts. In the future they plan to implement retail, office space, and possibly even residential space. Seaholm Power Plant Project.

In viewing this place from the outside it reminds me of Jenny Price’s essay on Los Angeles. It is industry and it is “necessary” and it has the image of being destructive to nature. But now that it is off, I can’t imagine Austin without that distinctive feature now. And now, disposing of all the hazardous materials safely and refurbishing the material ( this included discarding properly asbestos materials) , they are reusing the building instead of using more materials to destroy and recreate. This site is the best example of “the Austin environment.” This old power plant is right on the edge of downtown with all its modern skyscrapers, surrounded by large areas of grass ( or should be grass eventually , which is uncommon downtown) . It also is right next to Ladybird Lake. This area is an intersection of nature and industry. It combines our wants and needs with a natural feeling still lingering.

Above are images from http://www.austinpixels.com/2010/07/seaholm-power-plant-austin-tx/

Above are images from http://www.tribeza.com/myblog/thank-you-mother-falcon-autumn-ashley

Place Post: Enchanted Rock

View of Enchanted Rock from the ground. 

Photo by Author

View from the top of Enchanted Rock

Photo by Author

Another view from the top of Enchanted Rock

Photo by Author

This was a great opportunity for me and my friends to finally visit enchanted rock. We have all been talking about going for a while and so this assignment finally made us take the time to go. It was a long drive, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is 15 miles north of Fredericksburg, Texas and 15 miles south of Llano, Texas. It took us about 2 hours to drive there but the scenery was beautiful.

When we arrived we decided to do the most popular trail first, the Summit Trail. Although the climb was short to get to the top it was extremely tiring because of the heat and the steep incline. Once we were at the top of the huge rock formation, the view was great. We could see all the land around covered in trees. It was a beautiful landscape that looked almost untouched by humans. It was really nice to get away from the city and out into the rural area. There were many families and groups of people out that day at Enchanted Rock. It was great to see people getting out and enjoying nature together.

The preservation of nature is also really important to the parks system there. People are asked to help preserve the natural area by not disturbing plants, animals or artifacts. The visitors seemed to stay on the path and I didn’t notice any litter there during the whole trip.

Enchanted rock is a beautiful part of our American environment which has been protected for people to enjoy. After taking this class, I would not picture enchanted rock when asked to think about American environment. Now I think more about the destruction of the environment by deforestation, fracking and mountain top removal. I think it is important to still remember that there are places being protected for us to enjoy and they are still a part of our American environment. I would definitely recommend going up there, it is well worth the drive, but I would definitely recommend going in the fall when it cools down a little. I would also like to go back and take time to do some of the other trails and visit the caves.

Place Post: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Entrance to the Center

       Lady Bird Johnson, a graduate from the University of Texas, Austin as well as First Lady during Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency, made many significant attributions in the improvement of Austin, during her time here.  As a huge nature advocate, she founded the Wildflower Center in 1982 as a way to maintain the sustainability of the natural environment as well as become a source of education for people to visit and realize the importance of the preservation of nature.  As I briefly knew about the huge role Lady Bird Johnson and her husband, former President Lyndon B. Johnson, played in Austin, as both a high school and a library are named after Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as town lake recently renamed after Lady Bird; I wanted to check out the Wildflower Center that Lady Bird established.
   

View from the tower

        The Center, located in South Austin off of mopac, testifies to the beauty of nature that Lady Bird wanted to preserve.  Her main goal was to leave a place future generations could appreciate.  When I first arrived at the center, I was directed to the gift shop where admission is $7 for students.  Although I thought that price was a little ridiculous, as I could find a lot of similar plants and flowers in my backyard, in my mom's garden, I felt it was worthwhile to denote to a good cause.  The first place I went was a tower that, at the top, let you see a beautiful scenic view of the uninhibited landscape surrounding the center, a view many people don't see often today.  After climbing back down I went through a woodland garden that had a stream running through it.  It had a very tranquil and relaxing feel to it, with benches situated in different parts of the garden.  After walking through this shaded garden, there was another garden, that was less wild and arranged in orderly, square pot beds.  Every bed had a different theme to it, whether it was plants common to the West desert of Texas, a fiber and dye garden, a healing garden, a salvia garden as well as many other variations of plants.  Beyond that, was a butterfly garden.  Unlike the typical butterfly garden, which are usually enclosed butterfly "houses" this was an outdoor butterfly habitat.  The ability for an outdoor butterfly garden to exist  amazed me, as I wondered what it took to attract the butterflies and keep them in the area. I found out from various signs throughout the garden that it contained 300 different plant species arranged in specific plant habitats, creating a healthy ecosystem for the butterflies.  I also learned the main reason an outdoor garden was built was to teach visitors how they could build a similar habitat in their own backyard, that would attract butterflies, just by the correct arrangement of plants in a garden.

        My experience at Lady Bird Johnson's Wildflower Center was very positive, as I think there should be more places that educate a range of ages on the significance of being more environmentally friendly.  Just as Lady Bird realized during her time in Austin, the type of beauty found at the Wildflower Center cannot sustain forever unless more measures are taken to reduce the amount of destruction we are doing to our natural landscape.