Whether you take a short trip around the block or a longer walk at a near-by park or trail, the benefits will be felt immediately. Low tech and old school, visiting a neighborhood playscape or playground can be just the right thing to do this season. The Austin Parks and Recreations Department oversees 89 composite playground sites with playscapes for 2-5 and/or 5-12 age use, and 5 sites with swing sets only. In addition there are 16 playgrounds for public use shared with Austin Independent School District. The playgrounds are open for public use each day from 5am – 10pm unless otherwise posted. Exceptions for public time use may be for those sites shared with ASID or by the director of Parks and Recreation Department.
- Frugal family fun – You don’t need any special equipment or memberships to get outside and visit a playscape. You can stick close to home and not worry about filling the gas tank or paying any parking fees.
- Build family relationships – Talking in the relaxed atmosphere of a family walk about the beautiful spring world will build positive connections between you and your children. It doesn’t have to be a long visit in order for your family to enjoy friendly conversation. Hearts have been known to open up on a simple spin around the block.
- Better health – Walking for twenty minutes a few times each week will increase your family’s fitness and can actually lower weight and blood pressure. You can even walk to your local Farmer’s Market this spring and find some delicious local fruits and vegetables to bring home and enjoy together. Yum!
- Share nature with children – Springtime is the perfect antidote to the winter blahs. The world is coming alive with so many vibrant colors and delightful fragrances. Researchers are finding that building up your family’s Vitamin N is a lifelong investment in your child’s mental health.
- Multi-generational activity – Taking a family nature walk is something all ages can enjoy together. It is an activity that evens the playing field since it is not competitive. Little ones can be pushed in a stroller or pulled along in a wagon. Invite the grandparents to join you if they live near-by.
List of Austin Playscapes and Playgrounds
Adams-Hemphill
Alamo Park
Andrews Playground
Bailey Park
Balcones District Park
Barrington Playground
Bartholomew District Park
Barton Hills Playground
Battlebend Park
Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park
Big Stacy Park
Brentwood Park
Brownie
Buttermilk Branch Playground
Cherry Creek Park
Chestnut Park
Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park on Slaughter Creek
Civitan Park
Comal Park
Cook Playground
Cunningham Playground
Crystalbrook Dr
Dick Nichols District Park
Dittmar Park
Doss Elementary School
Dottie Jordan Park
Dove Springs District Park
Eastwoods Park
Eilers (Deep Eddy) Park
Ellen Higgins Park
Franklin Park
Garrison District Park
Gillis Park
Givens District Park
Govalle Park
Gracywoods Park
Great Hills Park
Gullett Playground
Hancock Recreation Center
Hill Playground
Houston Playground
Kealing Playground
Kendra Page Park
Latta Branch Greenbelt
Little Stacy Park
Longview Park
Lott Park
Lucy Reed Playground
Mabel Davis District Park
Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park
Metz Park
McBeth Recreation Center – in Zilker Park
Montopolis Park
Mountain View Park
Nicholas Dawson Park
North Oaks Park
Northwest Balcones Park
Northwest Recreation Center
Oak Springs Playground
Oakview Playground
Ortega Playground
Pan Am Park
Parque Zaragoza Park
Patterson Park
Pease District Park
Perry Playground
Pickfair Park
Pillow Playground
Piney Bend Park
Quail Creek Park
Ramsey Park
Reed Park
Reilly Playground
Riata Park
Ricky Guerrero Park
Rosewood Park
Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park
Sanchez Playground
Schroeter Park
Shipe Park
Silk Oak Park
South Austin Park
Springdale Park
St. Elmo Playground
Stoney Ridge Playground
T.A. Brown Playground
Tanglewood Park
Tarrytown Park
Town Lake Metropolitan Park – Martin Park
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
Waterloo Park
West Austin Park
Westenfield Park
Williams Playground
Wooldridge Playground
Wooten Park
Zilker Metropolitan Park
Little Zilker Neighborhood Park
