Town Lake is an exceptionally popular running trail with many different loops for different running lengths and it is a nature area where countless people, of all ages and both genders, and dogs go to take advantage of this beautiful area and it’s accommodations for numerous activities. Running, biking, swimming, kayaking, and walking are the most common activities observed at this park. People tend to have positive attitudes towards this area because it is gorgeous and useful and they all appreciate the trail and shade that the trees provide for them to participate in many different interests.

5 - outstanding

4 - excellent

3 – good

2 – fair

1 – poor

Amount of traffic / 4 / Some cars on Mopac and on the roads next to the trail
Noise level / 3 / Very loud underneath the bridge but quiet throughout the rest of the trail
Amount of litter / 4 / Some scattered plastic bags and paper cups
Condition of facilities / 2 / *Restrooms – dirty, un-working features, out of supplies
*Sidewalks/trails – Good condition, but used
*Benches – new
Amount of abuse / 3 / Some graffiti on bridges and light posts
Pollution level / 2 / A fair amount of environmental degradation due to cars driving by and some litter
Condition of ground / 3 / Some erosion off of the trails and of the grass and trampled on vegetation due to people walking off the pathways
Amount and condition of vegetation / 3 / Some areas have no vegetation and definitely need more trees to provide shade, but other areas had plentifulshade
Amount of cover for wildlife / 2 / Some but not a lot, leaving animals without much of a habitat
Provisions for people / 4 / Spacious trails made to accommodate a lot of people

Quantitative Data of Abuse & Vandalism:

Area of Abuse / Rating / Specific Observations
Trashcans / 3 / Some trashcans with graffiti and missing tops due to vandalism
Bridges / 2 / Bridges had a lot of spray-paint graffiti all over the sides
Bathrooms / 1 / Gross, trash everywhere, vandalized stalls, and graffiti painted on stalls
Off of the path / 2 / Bikes and human activity off of the pathway leads to erosion and destroyed vegetation

Follow-up:

This park is here to provide people with a place to workout, socialize, and have fun in a nature type setting rather than in an indoor gym with electrical machines. While running people can observe the animals and vegetation all along the trails. Clean trails that are kept up with maintenance and water stations show that the town lake hike and bike trails are there to provide people with an outdoor area to carry out their hobbies and outdoor activities. In order to keep this trail in the best condition possible so that they can carry out their goal of providing a place for dogs and humans to do many different activities, they should provide more trashcans, wider trails, more trees to provide shade, and removing of the graffiti on the bridges.

Before collecting data of the many different criteria, I originally had the impression that Town Lake was a dirtier place with more trash and pollution. After reviewing my data, I realize that it is actually very clean compared to many other public parks and the park maintenance committee does a fairly good job with upkeep and cleaning up trash throughout the trails.

While observing the Town Lake hike and bike trail, I noticed that the majority of people’s attitudes towards nature were that it was to be enjoyed for its beauty and that it was awesome and wondrous. This was seen by people picking up after themselves and throwing away their trash, by them not climbing on the trails since there are signs discouraging them from doing so due to prior erosion from humans, and by them spending time in this park. In my opinion, their attitudes do not really differ from the people who designed and manage the park because I feel that they too felt positively towards nature, which spurred them to create and manage the park in the first place.

My attitude towards nature is that it is to be respected by people who take advantage of it and use it. I also feel that natureknows best and many human activities can harm nature if they aren’t cleaned up or stopped.