Runners prepare to sprint through a ribbon June 1 signifying the opening of the latest section of the Violet Crown Trail.

The Hill Country Conservancy on June 1 opened the latest section of the Violet Crown Trail, which runs from the Sendera neighborhood near Slaughter Lane to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.Organized through a partnership among the Hill Country Conservancy, the city of Austin, Austin Parks and other local groups, the Violet Crown Trail is pedestrian path that, at total build-out, could stretch 30 miles south from Zilker Park in Downtown Austin to the Onion Creek Management Area in Hays County. The project has been under development since 2006.According to a Hill Country Conservancy news release, the June 1 ribbon cutting and 5K run to celebrate the opening marks the completion of the organization's involvement on Phase 1 of the trail project, which totals 13 miles and connects trail sections from Zilker to the Wildflower Center.“We could not be more excited to open this segment of the [Violet Crown Trail] right here in our community,” Sendera Homeowners Association President Angie Flores said at the event. “[Hill Country Conservancy] has been an incredible partner throughout this process, and we know that all Austinites will enjoy this trail for decades to come.”According to the Hill Country Conservancy, construction on Phase 2 of the trail will begin in early 2020. Phase 2 will take travelers through natural wildlands in Hays County.The section of trail will also connect to the pedestrian path built alongside the SH 45 SW toll road, which opened to traffic June 1.“Enjoying the outdoors is central to the Austin lifestyle; it’s a key part of what makes our city so great,” Austin City Council Member Paige Ellis said in the news release. “Access to green space, park land and trails is vital to the health of our residents, and I’m so proud of my constituents in District 8 for voting to approve this trail in their neighborhood. They have generously offered up this new amenity in their own backyard for all Austinites to enjoy.”