Comments on: Whimsical sculpture, native plants at Mueller’s Southwest Greenway

By: Digging » Whole Foods garden inspires from ground level to rooftop

Digging » Whole Foods garden inspires from ground level to rooftop — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:50:09 +0000

[...] On the patio, people were enjoying the beautiful weather. In hotter months these unique metal-and-wood trellises would provide welcome shade. The artist who constructed them is the same Chris Levack who created some of the sculptures at Mueller’s Southwest Greenway. [...]

By: joeltheurbangardener

joeltheurbangardener — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:36:12 +0000

That spider is so cool. I love garden art. Thanks for the post!

Thanks for stopping by, Joel. —Pam

By: Mamaholt

Mamaholt — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:50:59 +0000

Great pictures, Pam. I just love the Mueller complex. I have a 5-year-old and the whole park is endlessly fascinating for both of us. What a great, GREAT job they’ve done. Oh, I had no idea it was pronounced Miller! Thanks for that tip. PS The pool is open to the public most days and is way cool too.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get over there, Mamaholt. I saw the pool, which looked like it was drained for winter, and I still have much else to explore. I’m looking forward to my next visit. —Pam

By: Lola

Lola — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:56:44 +0000

Awesome Pam. I’ve never seen anything like those sculptures. The spider is something else.
I saw the blooms on some of the cacti when I was there & they are really pretty.

I think cactus flowers are exquisite. Isn’t it interesting that such prickly plants can flower so magnificently? —Pam

By: Annie in Austin

Annie in Austin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:15:21 +0000

Wow, that playfulness looks very Austin, doesn’t it, Pam!
My first experience of Austin was landing at the old Mueller Airport before heading out to look at houses. That was right before the switch, so a month later we ended up at the new ABIA. What a change in 10 years. Thanks for showing us another place to take out-of-town visitors- glad you had a chance to visit it with your family.

Because most of the established parts of Austin are dense with old tree growth, it’s especially interesting to see these sculptures sited in an open urban area with the prairie plants. The kidneywood and dalea look wonderful where they can expand in every direction.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Good point, Annie, about seeing these two native plants in an open, sunny location versus under the cover of trees. They definitely look best where they can spread out. —Pam

By: Amy Emerick

Amy Emerick — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:15:26 +0000

Hi, Pam — I will have to check this out and thanks for sharing. I didn’t even know this existed in Austin. I must venture out :).

It’s a nice place to visit especially now that the weather is cooling off, Amy. —Pam

By: Red Studio

Red Studio — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:06:55 +0000

What beautiful photos and amazing sculpture. As a rule I run screaming (hands in the air) at the sight of spiders and snakes. But these I love. I want one.

I know what you mean. Wouldn’t it be something to see this spider peeking over a neighbor’s garden fence? —Pam

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:39:08 +0000

I love this post!

What a nice intro to unused airport land, and in a city I know nothing about but can enjoy coming to know. The larger-than-life sculpture is great! I bet your children will love them.

Thanks for visiting, Jane. Yes, Mueller seems to be a good in-fill project with some nice amenities. And it’s great that non-residents like myself can enjoy the trails and art as well. —Pam

By: Les

Les — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:31:40 +0000

I like the whole idea of re-purposing an airport into well managed land use, particularly when it is surrounded by green belts, gardens and such cool sculpture. Perhaps the spider was full of blue eggs.

Erm, so there may be a clutch of elephant-sized baby spiders running around Austin soon? Frightening! —Pam

By: Loree/danger garden

Loree/danger garden — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:12:10 +0000

Great post and great place, thanks for including the back-story on the community too. I love the spider but completely agree with you on the other two pieces being too close together. I thought maybe it was just the angle of the photo but since you mentioned it too I guess not.

Do you happen to know the name of the blue agave that is close to the spider in the first picture and behind the blooming yucca in one of the last? It looks to be the same as a couple I’ve been given by my in-laws, that I’ve never got a good ID on. I was going to post asking for help on this later in the week.

Loree, I assume it is plain old Agave americana, which is regularly used all over town. But if anyone reading this knows definitively, I’d welcome a correction. —Pam