Walkers on the Town Branch Trail may notice new signage that designates some areas along the creek as official grow zones.

While City of Lockhart crews will continue to mow and maintain the area adjacent to the trail, some areas closer to the creek will be allowed to grow freely to promote stability along the creek banks and prevent erosion.

The City pursued and received funding through the Clean Water Act 319 Grant to conduct the restoration of Town Branch. Riparian or shoreline restoration, which helps address pollution from rainfall runoff, is one of many projects the grant can be used to address.

 “Mowing up to the streambank causes loss of the riparian area and bank instability, which then leads to bank failure,” said Parks Manager Chris Sager. “The City of Lockhart has created riparian buffer areas that are known to reduce erosion, promote bank stability and improve water quality by reducing sediment load and contaminate transport to the stream." 

If you have any questions about the trail, the creek or the grow zones, call the Parks Department at 512-398-6452.