Every Town Needs a Trail

Every Town Needs a Trail celebrates the lore and heritage of Austin s Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail that was inspired by the vision and leadership of Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson. It is a cultural story, a scenic story, an environmental story, and a universal story about the deep need in all of us to maintain and cherish our nation s open spaces, which in turn, shape the essence of our very own being.

Since that groundbreaking December day in 1971, when Lady Bird began her quiet legacy of helping create a simple walking path along the banks of the Colorado River, the Town Lake Trail has transformed into one of Austin s most beloved resources. It elevates its residents and visitors alike with its tranquility, inspires with its calmness, and galvanizes an entire city with its energy and beauty.

Every Town Needs a Trail features inspirational interviews with some of Austin s most distinguished residents over the past three decades who are among the thousands of people who have enjoyed the Trail on a daily basis, along with beautiful scenic photographs of the Trail by Russ Ohlson, Brenda Lindfors and friends of the Trail.

Experience the magic of the Town Lake Trail. Share in the wisdom of some of its most inspirational residents. Enjoy the story about a Trail with an amazing past, a vibrant present and the hope of a perpetual future. The following pages will be your guide along the path of Austin's crown jewel -- a path to live by and a place to be well.

Jen is a television sports reporter in Austin and has worked in top markets such as Dallas and Washington DC. In high school, Jen was honored as the most lettered athlete in Colorado history, with fifteen letters in five sports and was named the USA Today Colorado Athlete of the Year her senior year. She went on to letter in both soccer and track for four years at George Mason University and was the ECAC Champion in the heptathlon her senior year and was nationally ranked. Jen has since competed in three Ironman triathlons, including qualifying for Hawaii in 2001, where she finished as the top female from Texas. She has also run twenty-six marathons and is currently training for the AT&T Austin marathon this February. Jen s story-telling ability, community associations and most of all, passion for the Trail, have carved this project into not only a captivating tale, but an opportunity to make a difference. Her message provides a powerful, inspirational call for health and fitness awareness, community involvement, expansion and preservation of open space and a vision of a better life for all who seek it. Her greatest honor has been the opportunity to work on this book with her father, Russ.