Bouldin Creek Neighborhood
Parks and Green SPaces
Bouldin Creek is home to more than 20 acres of parks and green spaces—vibrant community areas that have been lovingly maintained and restored by neighbors since the 1970s.
Our green gems include Nicholas Dawson Park, Mary Dawson Park, Ricky Guerrero Park, and the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt, each offering a unique blend of nature, history, and neighborhood charm.
-
Entrances
1200 S. 6th Street
Austin, Texas 78704
1151 Post Oak Street
Austin, Texas 78704
16 Acres of Natural Urban ForestThe West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt is a 16-acre slice of wilderness in the heart of South Austin. While not maintained by the city, the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association has long taken stewardship of this cherished green space. Once avoided due to encampments and BMX activity, the greenbelt has gradually transformed into a welcoming retreat, thanks to annual community-led creek cleanups that began drawing attention to its hidden potential.
In 2009, BCNA commissioned an ecological assessment from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, laying the groundwork for long-term preservation. From that, the neighborhood established clear goals: to maintain the greenbelt as an “urban forest” with natural trails, support native vegetation, and provide a peaceful space for walking, biking, birdwatching, and family outings.
The first phase focused on the removal of invasive species like Ligustrum, Nandina, and Chinaberry—work that took years and continues today as we contend with persistent growth of Cat’s Claw and Nandina.
In 2012, the focus shifted to trail development, aided by a 2016 grant from the Austin Parks Foundation. New signage was added in 2018, and a rock hop creek crossing was built near the S. 6th entrance with PARD funding. Though heavy rains have twice washed it away, dedicated neighbors continue to reposition the stones, keeping the path accessible.
Enhancements at the Post Oak entrance, including a kiosk, fencing, striped parking, and signage, were completed with a grant and celebrated in 2020.
Like many public spaces, the greenbelt faced new challenges during the pandemic, when it became home to a large encampment. After years of collaboration with the city and social services, the area was included in Austin’s HEAL initiative, and residents were relocated to transitional housing. The subsequent city-led clean-up took months, but today, the greenbelt is steadily recovering—and once again offers a quiet haven for hikers, dog walkers, and nature lovers alike.
-
600 W. Gibson Street
Austin, TX 78704Second entrance at S. 3rd & James Street
Nestled along East Bouldin Creek, Nicholas Dawson Park is a 3-acre hidden gem cherished for its natural beauty and community spirit. A favorite spot for birdwatchers during migration season, the park’s tranquil pools and shaded creek beds are home to snapping turtles, foxes, coyotes, and even the occasional crane.
Over the years, the Bouldin community has played a big role in shaping this park. After a spirited creek cleanup in the mid-2000s, a swing set, concrete, and labor were all donated—by the end of the day, a playground had come to life. A decade later, the City of Austin replaced it with a new playscape, and neighbors continued enhancing the space with gardens, including flower beds installed by a resident on S. 3rd Street.
In 2008, a grant-funded “green wall” was added to create a buffer between the park’s north end and nearby homes. And in 2007, during a major sewer line replacement, the BCNA Parks Committee worked closely with Austin Water to protect several heritage trees by rerouting the project.
Efforts to manage stormwater runoff led to a rain garden installation in 2011–12, though the swing area still tends to flood after heavy rains. Still, the park remains a gathering place for neighborhood events and a beloved slice of green in the heart of Bouldin.
-
650 Dawson Road
Austin, TX 787040.92 Acres of Serene Green Space
Mary Dawson Park, encompassing just under an acre, is a tranquil green space nestled in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood. Often mistaken for the front yard of the adjacent Park Terrace Apartments, this pocket park offers a peaceful retreat with mature trees and open areas ideal for relaxation and community gatherings.
Named after Mary Jane "Mollie" Dawson, a dedicated teacher and school administrator in late 19th-century Austin, the park honors her contributions to education and the community. Her legacy also lives on through Dawson Elementary School, which bears her name. Wikipedia
In recent years, the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association (BCNA) has actively worked to enhance the park's visibility and usability. In 2018, efforts were made to install more prominent signage to distinguish the park from neighboring properties. By 2022, a design grant from the Austin Parks Foundation facilitated the development of a community-approved plan, envisioning natural trails, picnic benches, and improved access points. bouldincreek.org
Mary Dawson Park also serves as a connector to the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt, offering residents and visitors a gateway to explore the neighborhood's larger network of trails and natural areas.
Preservation
In April 2004, the BCNA adopted a set of guiding goals to preserve and protect our natural spaces:
Maintain existing parkland and wilderness areas
Limit new infrastructure to hike and bike trail improvements
Improve erosion control along East and West Bouldin Creeks
Remove invasive species and, where appropriate, replant with native vegetation
Protect our old-growth tree canopy
Create a creek crossing at the South 6th Street entrance to the West Bouldin Greenbelt
Creek Clean Ups
Our annual creek clean-ups, launched in 1991, continue to be a cornerstone of community involvement. What began with the removal of tires, appliances, and debris has evolved into hands-on efforts to clear invasive plants, maintain trails, and keep our creeks clean. This past spring, more than 60 neighbors—including kids and a few four-legged volunteers—pitched in to care for these cherished green spaces.
Below, you’ll find highlights of each park and how the Bouldin community continues to engage in their stewardship.
-
2006 S. 6th Street
Ricky Guerrero Park is a 2-acre community park with a rich legacy of inclusion, resilience, and neighborhood pride.
The park was the vision of Roy Guerrero, a longtime Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) staff member who broke barriers by integrating Little League games in the 1940s and organizing celebrations for Latin American children in the 1950s. In the early 1950s, Roy advocated for transforming a neglected piece of land near the Meadowbrook Apartments into a dedicated park space for neighborhood kids. His dream became reality in 1972, when the park was officially named in memory of his son, Ricky, a student at Austin High School who tragically passed away from a football injury at the age of 17.
A standout feature of the park is its historic 1870s railroad bridge—a rare and remarkable remnant of Central Texas’s early rail history.
Over the years, the BCNA and PARD have collaborated on numerous improvements, including the installation of the much-loved splash pad. A major renovation in 2019 brought new sidewalks, ADA-accessible parking, additional picnic tables, improved drainage, retrofitted restrooms, and better lighting to make the space more welcoming and safe. The neighborhood came together in May 2022 to celebrate these upgrades with a joyful community event.
Despite ongoing challenges—including the temporary misuse of the bathroom facilities—the park is once again a lively space for families and children. With continued support from neighbors, Ricky Guerrero Park remains a vibrant and meaningful part of Bouldin Creek, and the community eagerly awaits the reopening of the splash pad this summer.
