This website is for demonstration purposes only.
We believe access to Barton Creek shouldn't depend on your budget. It never has.
Since 1969, our mission has been simple: provide recreational experiences to groups with little or no budget for fun activities, and educate children and newcomers about the beauty and history of Barton Creek.
Howard and Dorothy Lopez Barnett started this dock because they wanted everyone — not just people with disposable income — to have access to the spring-fed water, the cypress groves, and the limestone canyon walls of Barton Creek. That mission has never changed.
We work with community organizations throughout Austin to bring youth groups, school programs, adaptive-recreation participants, and at-risk youth to the water. Many of these participants have never been in a boat before. Most of them come back changed.
Summer camps, school groups, after-school programs — we get kids on the water who might never otherwise have the experience.
Non-profits, neighborhood associations, and service organizations with little or no activity budget.
We support adaptive boating experiences. Everyone can paddle — we'll find the right configuration and support.
Partners like Youth River Watch use the creek as a living classroom for water science and stewardship.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Bigs and Littles come out for day paddles — an outdoor adventure and a shared memory.
Therapeutic organizations bring participants for a safe, joyful experience on the water — sometimes the first in a long time.
These organizations share our belief that time on the water changes people. We're proud to paddle alongside them.
For over a century, Austin Sunshine Camps has given underprivileged children the gift of summer camp. We partner with them to make sure their campers experience the joy of Barton Creek and Lady Bird Lake — many for the very first time.
Youth River Watch teaches students to be stewards of Austin's waterways through hands-on science and environmental monitoring. We put them on the water — they come back scientists.
Mentorship comes alive on the water. We host Bigs and Littles for day paddles on Barton Creek, giving kids an outdoor adventure and a memory to share with their mentor.
Paddling is a language all its own. We work with TSD to provide adaptive, hands-on boating experiences that every student can fully participate in — life jackets, patience, and smiles included.
The sounds and sensations of Barton Creek are remarkable on their own. We've taken groups from TSBVI out on the creek, where the spring-fed water, rustling cypress trees, and canyon walls make for an unforgettable multi-sensory experience.
Sometimes healing happens on the water. We partner with SafePlace to give survivors a safe, joyful outdoor experience — a chance to breathe, float, and feel strong in a beautiful place.
We believe paddling should be available to everyone. Our canoes and kayaks can accommodate a range of mobility needs with the right support — including entry/exit assistance. Our safe-boating guidelines note that participants may enter and exit the craft independently or with assistance.
If you're bringing a group with specific accessibility needs, please reach out in advance so we can plan the best experience:
boatszilkerpark@gmail.comWe accommodate groups during non-peak hours. Email us at boatszilkerpark@gmail.com or submit a group reservation request online.
Group reservation request →Come join a community that's been getting Austin on the water since 1969.