It’s National Trail Day so we’re bringing you a Town Lake Trail (now the Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail) connoisseur for our next People of the Parks! This series is meant to celebrate the deep connection Austinites feel to our outdoor spaces – and these photos and interviews might just inspire you to get out there and experience our parks for yourself. If you do, be sure to share a photo or two and tag @austinparksfdn.
Without further ado, let’s meet our next Person of the Parks, Jen Ohlson! Ohlson is the Founder and CEO of Interactive Health Technologies as well as the author of Every Town Needs a Trail. Since moving to Austin in August 2002, Ohlson has spent countless hours walking, playing and socializing her Golden Retrievers (Aiden, pictured below, is her third!) at Zilker Park – an iconic spot that holds many special memories with her friends, family and furry best friends.🐾
“Parks connect us to ourselves and to one another. When you think of the world’s greatest cities, their parks are often at the heart of what makes them special.”
Ohlson can’t help but be grateful to live in such a great city with so much community overlooking the beautiful skyline. When it came to capturing and sharing stories in Every Town Needs a Trail, Ohlson wanted it to reflect exactly what Austin is: a place where everyone is welcome and everyone matters. No matter your background, perspective, or which side of the aisle you’re on, you belong here.
“Austin has built a solid foundation for its parks…one we need to keep growing and improving to ensure our city remains one of the best in the world.”
Ohlson gifted the world Every Town Needs a Trail featuring people from every walk of life sharing their stories and purposes. In turn, Every Town Needs a Trail gifted Ohlson a meaningful experience with her Dad – who took many of the photos featured in the book.
One of Ohlson’s favorite memories from her time at Zilker Park came in 2009 : her father running ~200 meters across Zilker Park just 7 or 8 weeks after his lung transplant surgery. Seeing her Dad getting back on the path to health so soon after such a major operation is a memory she’ll never forget.
As the 20 year anniversary of the book approaches (it’s been out since 2007), Ohlson says it’s time for a new one–but its message is truly timeless and never goes out of date. One of the biggest influences for the book was the quiet yet powerful legacy of Lady Bird Johnson.
“True leadership lies in giving away your power to empower others—just as Lady Bird Johnson did so beautifully. She understood that by lifting others up and serving a greater good, you discover something far more meaningful than yourself. Lady Bird didn’t just talk about those values, she lived them. She showed us that lasting change comes from quiet determination, service and a vision that includes everyone.”
These are the lessons that Ohlson believes we should all strive to carry forward. It all begins with something that unites us, grounds us and reminds us of our shared responsibility: our parks.
Our parks play a vital role in fostering a sense of community, and we need your help to keep them safe and accessible to all. Make a gift to APF today to ensure that our green spaces flourish for generations to come!