From Then to Now: A Love Letter to Zilker Park

Written by Holly Hawk, Executive Director of Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy

Some of my earliest and most cherished memories are rooted right here in Zilker Park. I can still picture my grandmother taking me to play on the fire truck and feed the ducks at Lou Neff Point. Even though my parents and I lived out at Lake Travis, I spent many weekends at my great-grandmother's house on Bouldin Avenue, and Zilker was always a part of my life.

I remember getting the worst case of poison ivy after seeing a play at the Hillside Theater, but even that is a treasured memory! I begged my parents to let me go to the MTV Music Festival (yes, that was a thing before ACL!), and I've gone to the Trail of Lights every single year for as long as I can remember. Years ago, I even practiced my wildlife photography right here at the Zilker Botanical Garden, capturing photos of the insects, pollinators, and birds. It came full circle when I celebrated my daughter's first birthday at the Hartman Prehistoric Garden.

Now, as the Executive Director of the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy, it’s incredibly humbling to be a steward of a public space that has been a part of every phase of my life. I draw on my own memories of the garden and the greater Zilker area to guide what the next generation of Austinites will experience here.

It's a special honor to help carry these traditions forward. I now ride the Zilker Eagle with my daughter, just as I did with my mom when I was young. The train may be different, but the joy is exactly the same. My daughter now looks forward to riding the Ferris wheel at the Trail of Lights and can’t wait for Austin Kiddie Limits every year. When we drive past the Garden, she often yells, “Mom, it’s your garden!” and I like to remind her it’s not just mine—it's all of ours. Still, I love the pride she feels knowing that I work here.

How lucky we are to live in a city that holds on to its traditions as it evolves. These cherished outdoor memories, and the spaces they are rooted in, rely on the community's support to thrive. Greenspaces such as the Zilker Botanical Garden and the greater Zilker Park need your help to grow alongside our expanding city, and there are so many ways you can get involved. The next time you're walking your dog on the Great Lawn, consider volunteering for one of the many organizations doing great work in the park. The next time you're appreciating nature’s artwork in the Garden, consider becoming a Conservancy member to help uplift our conservation mission. It takes commitment from all of us to take care of these community spaces, and I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside you to preserve Zilker for generations to come.

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This story is part of Zilker 351’s Guest Blogger Series called “A Love Letter to Zilker Park” . Zilker 351 works with every organization in Zilker Park to protect its 351 acres—restoring native habitats, safeguarding Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer, and ensuring the park remains welcoming to all Austinites.

If you have a love letter to Zilker Park that you would like to share email info@zilker351.org.

To read more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter,  and/or to make a supportive gift to Zilker Park, visit www.zilker351.org.