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Lost Pines Nature Trails and River Access 375 Riverside Drive, Bastrop, TX The Lost Pines Nature Trails Project is a multi-phase project to develop recreational biking and walking trails on a 30 acre tract of land along the Lower Colorado River, adjoining and connecting 60 acres known as the Pines & Prairies Land Trust (PPLT) Colorado River Refuge. This project will initiate restoraton of the wetland and riparian habitats, will restore the existing trails, and continue developing ADA accessible trails on the property. Once completed, the entire project will encompass nearly 90 acres of towering riparian forest land, wetlands, springs, majestic bald cypress, pecan trees, and unusual geological outcroppings along three miles of serene river frontage. Developing new recreational hike, bike and ADA trails will help reverse existing damage from flooding, erosion, and misuse. This segment of land is included in the Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership and will provide multiple opportunities for locals and the traveling public to enjoy nature, tourism, recreation, and education.
The LCRA Community Development Program grant and the TPWD Recreation Trails grant (both awarded) together will enable many facets of the overall project to move forward and include:
• Improve and rehabilitate 0.2 mile of existing natural surface entrance trails to gravel road base trail
• Construct 0.8 miles of natural surface bike trails & 0.5 miles of technical bike trails
• Construct 0.5 mile of ADA trail connecting PPLT, two ADA picnic sites, pavilion, restroom and parking site
• Rehabilitate 0.25 miles of existing natural surface trails to connect ADA & hike and bike trails
• Establish several ADA accessible picnic sites that overlook the river
• Stabilize floodplain trail surfaces to prevent erosion and wash-out
• Bring electricity to site and install security lighting at entrance
• Designate areas for hike, bike, ADA, parking, and non-vehicular river access with bollard fencing & gates
• Develop and install signage for proper usage of hike, bike, ADA trails, and parking areas
• Provide garbage/trash receptacles
• Natural and cultural resource evaluations • Wetlands restoration & revegetation.
Phase I (Funded) Phase I - Lost Pines Nature Trails and River Access Point near Tahitian Village (Site plan provide by LCRA) Site Plan updated March 2008. Phase II (Unfunded)  Phase II - Lost Pines Nature Trails and River Access Point near Tahitian Village (Site plan provided by LCRA) The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has awarded a $25,000 Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP) grant to start site development at the Lost Pines Recreational Trails river access point near Tahitian Village. Local partners listed below have committed and additional $20,000 of in-kind matching for fencing and trail development. Environmental Stewardship is administering the grant and providing project managment. A $100,000 Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) Recreational Trails grant with $50,000 local matching by the partners was awarded in August, 2007. Bastrop Economic Development Corporation has granted an additional $5,000 seed money to get the project started. Environmental Stewardship is administering the grant and providing project managment.
The initial $195,000 project ($70,000 local matching) will establish ADA trails, hike/bike trails, and picnic areas at this access point. Cable and bollard fencing and lighting will help establish the desired use of the site. Future developments envision a pavilion, restrooms, and nature viewing areas along the river.
The river access point also serves as the take-out point for the El Camino Real Paddling Trail set to launch on November 3, 2007 in conjunction with NatureFest 2007 and will be the put-in point for the Red Bluff Paddling Trail set to launch in the spring of 2008. Work on the project is expected to start later this summer. Environmental Stewardship prepared the grant application on behalf of the local partners and will provide project management during the implementation phase. Link to Bastrop Paddling Trails project.
Local Partners include:
▲ Bastrop County Water Conservation & Improvement District #2 (BCWICD#2)
▲ Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA
▲ Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Texas Paddling Trails Program
▲ American Youth Works (Environmental Corps)
▲ City of Bastrop
▲ Bastrop Economic Development Corporation (BEDC)
▲ Bastrop Historical Society Old Town Visitor Center
▲ John Creamer
▲ Pines & Prairies Land Trust
▲ Rising Phoenix Adventures
▲ Environmental Stewardship
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