HILL COUNTRY CONSERVANCY AND THE CITY OF ANNOUNCE THE VIOLET CROWN TRAIL AS NAME FOR REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM

A Historical Central Texas Reference, The Violet Crown Trail Reflects on Literature and Landscape

AUSTIN, TX – Hill Country Conservancy and the City of Austin are proud to announce The Violet Crown Trail. The regional trail system, formerly known as “Walk for a Day” will begin at Pool in and wind more than 30 miles south into Hays County. The trail system will provide a unique opportunity for business, conservation, education, and recreational interests to align to benefit the entire community.

In 1890, the Austin Daily Statesman printed an article that referenced “the City of the Violet Crown.” In 1894, O. Henry wrote about Austin, referring to it as the City of the Violet Crown in an article in the original Rolling Stone. This unique name conveys a sense of place and is rooted in local history. Some say the term comes from the site of the western sky when it has a purple cast over the hills at sunset, appearing like a violet crown over the hills. This atmospheric phenomenon has a technical name – the Belt of Venus.

“The Violet Crown Trail creates an image in my head that fits perfectly with the natural beauty of the ,” said George Cofer, Executive Director of Hill Country Conservancy. “We have been working on naming this trail for many months and when I heard mention of the Violet Crown, it made sense. As a native Austinite, I’m proud that we are giving this trail a name that marries a piece of local history with the natural landscape of this area.”

After much research, extensive focus groups, countless conversations with groups of stakeholders, marketing professionals, and our trail consultant, Hill Country Conservancy compiled a list of several possible names for the trial. This list was passed on to a group at the City of Austin that included the Mayor, department heads, and city staff who, with the help of a facilitator, refined suggestions and came up with a final list. The final list of possible trail names was posted as an online survey and open to the public to vote. The Violet Crown Trail was the clear winner.

“I am proud that the Austin City Council put its official stamp of approval on this unique trail that represents the best of what our natural landscape has to offer,” said Mayor . “The Violet Crown Trail has been years in the making and has already earned funding from federal, state and community sources. We are excited to be a partner in this project and look forward to seeing it come to life for generations to enjoy.”

Hill Country Conservancy, the City of Austin, and many partners have worked tirelessly to provide the Central Texas community with a resource that will promote the use of open space, a healthy lifestyle, and an alternative means of transportation. For more information, or to make a charitable contribution to Hill Country Conservancy to help fund the design and construction of The Violet Crown Trail, please visit www.hillcountryconservancy.org.

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CONTACT Harper Scott Butch Smith 512-328-2481 x 6 512-328-2481 x 8 [email protected] [email protected]