Emphasizing the hillside character and preserving the environmentally fragile Balcones Escarpment, the Balcones Ranch master plan responds to the existing topography, gracefully stepping from the sites highest point to the central spine road carefully planned to embody the views and natural beauty of the escarpment.  The scenic spine road carries residents and guests along the escarpments edge, dappled in its trees shadow and sunlight as it connects to the neighborhood’s variety of residential product types.  From smallest home lots to the largest, the neighborhood radiates out from the heart of the community, where a state-of-the-art amenity center and large multi-use green open space are located.  Sprinkled among the residences are a number of smaller amenity spaces, including such programmed uses as outdoor community garden with greenhouse, picnic shelter and children play areas, connected by both the hierarchy of streets and internal community trail and walk systems.  Public natural trails weave through tree groves and a protected stock pond, further enhancing the communities preservation of the natural environment.