Barton Creek Activist Presents Trail of Broken Promises

Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell (Austin American-Statesman, April 20, 1981)

Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell
Austin American-Statesman, April 20, 1981

April 1981

With city council elections right around the corner, Attorney Joe Riddell brings to light environmental damage along Barton Creek at the hands of current city leadership & developers, despite existing protections.

I also figured out a hike that could be taken to show people how promises had been broken over the years, promises to protect Barton Creek and Barton Springs had been broken by the errant city staff or by developers and I called that the Trail of Broken Promises.

— Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell

"Trail of Broken Promises" Detailed Explainer
Joe Riddell Personal Collection

Stewards

Supporting Documents

Related Events

A History of Grassroots Efforts

Citizens Favor Park And Ordinances
April 1970
Austin City Council Public Hearing, April 16, 1970
Petition For Barton Creek Park
April 1970
Petition Published by Citizens for a Barton Creek Park
Public Embraces Saving Barton Creek
1970s
Barton Creek, circa 1970
Anti Development Groups Organize
1978/79
Betty Brown, Zilker Park Posse
Environmental Groups Push Through Ordinance
April 1980
Trail Of Broken Promises
April 1981
Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell
Proposed Development On Barton Creek Sparks Outcry
1988
Jim Bob Moffett, Developer
All Night Hearing Unites Citizens Against PUD
June 1990
All-night hearing on proposed Barton Creek Planned Unit Development, 1990
Media Galvanizes Public Against Barton Creek PUD
June 1990
John Aielli, KUT Radio Personality
Provocative Activism Draws Attention
June 1990
Earth First! member photographs endangered birds on land slated for development
Save Our Springs Coalition Forms
August 1991
Environmental groups come together to present guidelines to protect Barton Springs and Barton Creek

Related Events

A Chronology of Human Impacts on Barton Creek

MoPac Construction
1969-1971
Mopac Construction
Developer Violates Creek Ordinance
June 1974
Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell
Barton Springs Bypass Tunnel
December 1974
City Imposes Building Moratorium
June 1979
Horseshoe Bend Development in Barton Creek Area
Barton Creek Square Mall Construction
1979
Barton Creek Mall land clearing, 1979
Trail Of Broken Promises
April 1981
Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell
Barton Creek Mall Pollution Controls Fail
1981-1990s
Barton Creek Square Mall, 1988
Algae Overgrowth Linked To Development
1993
Cladophora algae grows in 6-foot strands and attaches itself to rocks.
A Decade Of Damage To Barton Creek Continues
December 2000