Austin Lake to Be Renamed After Lady Bird Johnson

Austin's renowned Town Lake will be renamed in honor of Lady Bird Johnson, the former First Lady, city officials recently announced.

The change, which becomes effective Aug. 6, comes just weeks after Johnson's death on July 11 at 94 years of age. Naming the pristine lake after Johnson is quite fitting considering her commitment to environmental preservation and beautification, said Mayor Will Wynn, in a press release.

"Lady Bird Johnson exemplified Austin's most cherished ideals of respect and commitment to both its citizens and environment," Wynn said. "Her efforts in beautifying Austin helped to make our city the envy of the country, and I can think of no more fitting tribute than the naming of Lady Bird Lake."

Johnson served as First Lady from 1963 to 1969 as the wife of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36^th president of the United States. Even after her husband's death, Johnson still remained active in many causes. In the early 1980s, she also founded the National Wildflower Research Center, an organization dedicated to preserving the existence of native plants in North America. The center was renamed in her honor in 1998. In the 1970s, she also participated in an effort to beautify Town Lake.

"Lady Bird Johnson transformed Town Lake from a garbage-strewn eyesore into Austin's scenic and recreational centerpiece," said Council Member Brewster McCracken, in the press release. "Town Lake, and life in Austin, wouldn't be the same without her vision."

The 468-acre Town Lake is one of Austin's most beloved features. Running straight through the middle of the city, it is not really a lake, but a dammed area of the Colorado River. It has miles of hiking and biking trails, which attract everyone from tourists to local runners. The lake also crosses with the city's famous Congress Avenue Bridge - a structure that is not only a roadway, but home to the largest urban bat colony in America.

The renaming of Town Lake comes as no surprise, given the fact that Lady Bird Johnson was one of the most beloved figures in Texas culture. Following her death, Johnson's body lay in state at her husband's Presidential library in Austin, and a funeral procession ventured through downtown Austin so the public could pay their respects. The service was attended by current First Lady Laura Bush, former president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as representatives of the Kennedy, Ford and Nixon families.

Texas Parks and Wildlife. "Fishing Town Lake." http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/town_lake/

Wikipedia. "Lady Bird Johnson."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_bird_johnson

City of Austin Press Release. "Council Renames Town Lake in Honor of Lady Bird Johnson."

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/news/2007/ladybirdlake.htm

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website. www.wildflower.org/about

Austin 360. "The Congress Avenue Bridge Bats."

http://www.austin360.com/search/content/events/special/bats.html