Austin to Manor Trail
| Austin to Manor Trail | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5.5 mi (8.9 km) |
| Location | Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Trailheads | Daffan Lane (Austin) – Ben E. Fisher Park (Manor) |
| Use | Cycling, walking, running, inline skating, wheelchair accessible |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Surface | Concrete |
| Maintained by | City of Austin |
| Trail map | |
The Austin to Manor Trail is a multi-use cycling and pedestrian trail in Travis County, Texas, United States. Spanning approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 km), the trail provides a continuous off-road connection between northeastern Austin and the suburb of Manor and follows the proposed Capital Metro Green Line, linking to the larger Southern Walnut Creek Trail system.[1]
History
The trail was conceived as part of the City of Austin's 2014 Urban Trails Plan, intended to expand the city's active transportation network and improve regional connectivity.[2]
Construction progressed in two phases:
- Section 1 (Daffan Lane to Lindell Lane): A 2.5 miles (4.0 km) concrete path that opened in 2014, connecting to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail and traversing the Decker Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.[2]
- Section 2 (Lindell Lane to Ben E. Fisher Park in Manor): A 2.9 miles (4.7 km) addition, completed in 2024.[3]
Funding sources included the 2012, 2016, and 2020 City of Austin Mobility Bonds, a CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) grant, and a Travis County interlocal agreement.[2] The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completed trail was held at Ben E. Fisher Park in August 2024.[4]
Route
The trail begins near Daffan Lane in eastern Austin, meeting the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, and travels northeast through the Decker Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.[5] It proceeds along or near Decker Lane, passes by Walter E. Long Park, and eventually parallels a Capital Metro freight rail corridor.[1] The trail terminates at Ben E. Fisher Park in Manor.[6]
The concrete path is 10–12 feet wide, mostly flat, and suitable for bicycles, pedestrians, and wheelchairs. Portions operate as a rail-with-trail adjacent to active tracks.[5]
Significance
The trail addresses growing transportation needs between Austin and Manor, offering a safe and car-free alternative to travel along Decker Lane.[7] It connects suburban residents to Austin's wider urban trail system and is intended to complement the long-planned Capital Metro Green Line commuter rail corridor.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Austin to Manor Trail now complete, linking suburb to citywide trail network". KUT. University of Texas at Austin. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Austin to Manor Trail". City of Austin Data Hub. City of Austin. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "Austin-to-Manor Hike-and-Bike Urban Trail Opens". Urbanize Austin. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "5.5-mile Austin to Manor Trail to celebrate grand opening". KXAN. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Austin to Manor Trail". TrailLink. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Shaw, Hasina (11 December 2024). "Running Trails in and Around Austin". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "Trail from Austin to Manor opens to the public". Axios Austin. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2025.