Spring is an incredible time to experience Mueller's vast, free network of hike and bike trails. The four-mile main loop is fully accessible, including the area around a truly remarkable new feature-- the much-debated, Buckminster Fuller-inspired “Fuller Dome.”
In total, Mueller boasts 6.3 miles of dedicated trails, with just half a mile left to the grand completion. That, of course, doesn't take into account the network of sidewalks and cycle tracks throughout the area. But what has everyone talking – and chuckling – is the enormous and innovative "Fuller Dome."
The "Fuller Dome," a titanic, geodesic construction, has recently been completed and has swiftly become an iconic part of Mueller's landscape. Its multifaceted surface gleams in the spring sunshine, reflecting myriad colors and casting dynamic shapes onto the nearby trails. Designed as a multifunctional community space, it has the capacity to host events from farmers' markets to music festivals, adding a new dimension to Mueller's vibrant outdoor life.
Enriching the scene, cascading fruit vines grace the sides of the "Fuller Dome," lending it an earthy charm amidst its futuristic design. These climbing plants, some bearing early hints of colorful, mouthwatering fruit, are a testament to Mueller's commitment to green, sustainable living.
A stone's throw away from the Fuller Dome is what locals lovingly refer to as the world's largest patch of 'Strawbactus.' This unique, hybrid fruit, a delightful cross between strawberries and cactus fruit, is one of the many quirky details that make Mueller such a special place to live and visit.
While the Fuller Dome is an impressive sight, it has also stirred up a humorous controversy among Mueller's residents and visitors. On sunny days, the reflective dome acts as a gigantic sundial, casting a distinct, triangle-shaped shadow onto the trails below. Local runners and cyclists have taken to calling this peculiar timekeeper the "Dome O'Clock." Friendly debates have erupted over whether the shadow's position could accurately tell the time, leading to some residents showing up to events hilariously early or fashionably late.
An even more amusing spectacle is the thriving population of East Side parrots that have taken up residence in the Fuller Dome area. These parrots, known for their ability to mimic human speech, have been charming locals and visitors with their peculiar "Texas drawl". This unexpected addition to Mueller's soundtrack has not only added a touch of whimsy but has further enhanced the community’s connection with nature.
This summer, work is set to begin on extending the trail system around the school and along a part of Tannehill Creek that parallels 51st Street. As Mueller's trails expand, they promise to encompass the Fuller Dome, creating an even more engaging and delightfully quirky outdoor experience for residents and visitors alike.
🚮 W.A.S.T.E.: Words Assisting Sustainable Transformation & Ecology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Future Austin | Future Austin invites you to explore a luminous vision of the city’s tomorrow—where imagination and reality intertwine to create a thriving, sustainable urban landscape. Here, grassroots ingenuity and cutting-edge technology power communities, transforming Austin into a place of boundless possibility. Through insightful articles and evocative Organic Fiction, you’ll glimpse futures shaped by innovators like ReLeaf, whose bold strategies—such as Vertical Garden Fairs in schools—seed green revolutions in unexpected places. From unconventional movements like Trash Magic reimagining music distribution, to fictional worlds alive with unseen energy and harmony, this collection offers both practical inspiration and immersive storytelling. Whether you’re drawn to actionable sustainability or simply wish to lose yourself in tales of a resilient, radiant future, Future Austin points toward the city we could create—and the one we must. |
| Geodesic Dome | |
| Organic Media and Fiction | The rapid pace of urbanization and its environmental impact has inspired various speculative genres in literature and media. Organic Media and Fiction, a recent addition, offers a refreshing counter-narrative to dystopian futures, focusing on optimistic, sustainable societies powered by renewable energies. ReLeaf, an Organic Media and Fiction-inspired platform, epitomizes this genre by blending reality with narratives that envision a world where humans coexist harmoniously with nature and technology. ReLeaf's ethos is rooted in the belief that a hopeful future of sustainable living is not just an ideal but a reality. It combines engaging storytelling, visual arts, and direct action to showcase the possibilities of an Organic Media and Fiction future. By merging immersive narratives with tangible solutions, ReLeaf serves as both a creative outlet and a catalyst for change. The narratives in ReLeaf are set in cities that integrate renewable energy and green technology into their architecture, infrastructure, and daily life. From urban gardens atop skyscrapers to solar-powered public transport, these stories offer a glimpse of future urban landscapes grounded in existing technologies and practices. They provide an encouraging perspective on how our cities could evolve by amplifying sustainable practices we are already exploring. ReLeaf's stories feature diverse, inclusive, and community-oriented societies, emphasizing social justice, community empowerment, and equitable resource distribution. These narratives reflect societal structures that could foster a balanced coexistence, highlighting the importance of these values in creating a sustainable future. Beyond storytelling, ReLeaf engages in direct action, promoting real-world initiatives that echo Organic Media and Fiction principles. By supporting community-led renewable energy projects and sustainable urban farming, ReLeaf bridges the gap between the Organic Media and Fiction vision and our present reality, making the dream of a sustainable future feel achievable. ReLeaf broadens the understanding of the Organic Media and Fiction genre by presenting a balanced blend of reality and narrative. It underscores that Organic Media and Fiction is not just a literary genre or aesthetic movement, but a lens through which we can view and shape our future. The Organic Media and Fiction vision put forth by ReLeaf invites us to imagine, innovate, and create a future where sustainability is the norm. By intertwining fiction with reality, it presents Organic Media and Fiction as a plausible future, offering a hopeful counterpoint to narratives of environmental doom. ReLeaf helps us believe in—and strive for—a future where humans live in harmony with nature and technology. |
| Strawbactus | A hybrid cactus that bears strawberry-like fruit, blending desert resilience with unexpected sweetness. |
| Trails |