For decades, residents of the Govalle neighborhood in East Austin have enjoyed a grove of roughly 75 pecan trees planted in an unusually neat orchard-like grid on undeveloped land at 1129 Tillery Street, the site serving the community as an ad hoc neighborhood park and also supplying a healthy crop of pecans for pies and pralines.
The city-owned site was previously the target of controversy in 2019 after plans for affordable housing development by the Austin Housing Finance Corporation seemed to threaten the future of the grove, which spurred nearby residents to affirm their support for taller and denser affordable development on part of the roughly five-acre property if it meant the pecan trees could stick around — a lesson in how bigger buildings can protect the natural environment from sprawl, if anyone’s taking notes.
The proposed compromise worked, with the Live + Make affordable housing development now under construction on a subdivided section of the tract directly next door to the pecan grove, but the grove itself acquired by the Parks and Recreation Department in May 2024 with plans to finally turn the space into an official neighborhood park. The city is now in the planning process for improvements to the property, preserving the site’s nearly 100 trees but providing enhanced access to the grove, which currently doesn’t have sidewalks along its frontage on Tillery Street.
A view of the Live + Make affordable housing project under construction next door to the pecan grove. Image: Imagine Art
Anticipated improvements will preserve the natural environment and the pecan trees on site. Currently there are approximately 100 trees on site, 12 which are heritage size pecan trees. Proposed amenities to be included that are typical of a neighborhood park will include a loop walking trail, covered pavilion, picnic areas, a playground, and fitness area.
A concept plan showing possible improvements to the pecan grove site. Image: City of Austin
Though August 12, the city is running the first community engagement survey seeking feedback on the programming of what it’s now calling Tillery Neighborhood Park, with expected improvements including a walking trail through the grove, a covered pavilion, a playground, and fitness equipment. The unique layout of the pecan grove will drive the placement of these additions, since it’s clear that the carefully spaced trees provide much of the site’s character. We’re excited to see how this park moves forward, and hope you’ll take a minute to offer your feedback — as Govalle grows alongside the rest of Austin, sites like the pecan grove prove to us that dense infill development and open space go together like…I dunno, pecan pie and ice cream?
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