TRAIL CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE
The Violet Crown Trail
Eischen General Contracting (EGC) has partnered with Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) and The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department to construct 3 segments of The Violet Crown Trail (VCT): Deer Park, Slaughter Creek and The Veloway to Circle C. These segments of trail were built using a new state of the art stabilized decomposed aggregate from Stabilizer Solutions. EGC worked directly with the manufacturer to refine the aggregate for use on the various trail conditions throughout the VCT which resulted in being awarded a Sole-Source Certification for the region. These segments of the VCT have become nationally recognized as one-of-a-kind ADA accessible regional trail systems. EGC continues to work with HCC as the operations and maintenance contractor for the VCT along with various projects, such as, trailhead construction, low water crossing/ramps/bridge construction, benches and way-finding sign installations, GIS and mapping.
Blair Woods
Eischen General Contracting (EGC) worked with Travis Audubon Society (TAS) from design through final inspections to construct an ADA accessible, stabilized decomposed granite trail system, steel ramp and reinforced concrete parking lot at the Blair Woods Nature Preserve. The project consisted of trail design development and construction consulting services. EGC continues to partner with TAS on projects such as the design and construction of a new bird blind.
The trail conservancy
EGC has partnered with The Trail Conservancy (TTC) on several projects along the The Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail (still called “Town Lake” by Austin natives). The 10 mile trail began as a vision by Lady Bird Johnson and Ann Butler in 1971. This public parkland revolves around Lady Bird Lake in the heart of downtown Austin. Some of the construction projects with TTC include:
Austin parks foundation
Eischen General Contracting (EGC) has worked with The Austin Parks Foundation (APF) on many park improvement and construction projects throughout various parks in Austin. Projects have included trailhead designs, kiosk installations, reinforced concrete and sidewalk repairs and the development and installation of the first nature playground in Austin that consisted of elements and textures from the earth such as tree logs, tree stump jumps and climbing logs.
Some of the construction projects with APF include:
The whirlpool patio
Through a partnership with HCC and the City of Austin’s Urban Trails Program, EGC constructed and installed the Whirlpool Patio Education Center. EGC designed and installed the handmade limestone spiral in homage to the nearby Whirlpool Cave. Located under the MoPac overpass at Latta Drive and Convict Hill, educators and students use this space as an outdoor classroom on field trips to the Whirlpool Cave.
EGC helped to design, fabricate and install the additional 12 interpretive educational panels and the new cave murals framing the space. The patio's educational elements are intended to interactively connect the community directly to nature and to encourage understanding of the Hill Country's unique geological profile.
The 290 Trailhead And Gaines Creek Greenbelt
EGC partnered with The Texas Conservation Corps of American YouthWorks to design and construct the 290 Trailhead and the Gaines Creek Natural Surface Trail. This section of trail was chosen by the IMBA Subaru Trail Team as a community project which led to the REI Trail User poll placing Gaines Creek as number 3 for the best (short) technical trail in America. It also has the National Interscholastic Cycling Association's seal of approval. Its technical switchbacks and steep climbs make this a challenging and enjoyable trail for the hiking and mountain biking community.
