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NAME:
Balcones Park & Municipal Pool
LOCATION:
Close to the intersection of MoPac & Duval
12017 Amherst Drive Austin, TX 78759
DISTANCE:
Runs can vary depending on which neighborhoods you venture into and what trails you venture onto
HOW TOUGH?:
ONE BAT: a few minor hills, but mainly pretty flat.
Balcones Park & Municipal Pool
LOCATION:
Close to the intersection of MoPac & Duval
12017 Amherst Drive Austin, TX 78759
DISTANCE:
Runs can vary depending on which neighborhoods you venture into and what trails you venture onto
HOW TOUGH?:
ONE BAT: a few minor hills, but mainly pretty flat.
HOW PRETTY?
The playscape is pretty--surrounded by large trees and natural landscape. The suggested running route, however, wanders alongside a semi-busy road for a bit and then into a neighborhood. If you're house-shopping, it's a great route.
TYPE OF PATH:
sidewalks, neighborhood streets
DOG FRIENDLY?
For running: Yes.
For playgrounding/swimming: Playgrounding, yes. Swimming, not so much.
PLAYSCAPE FEATURES:
Swings
Picnic tables (in the shade---bonus!)
4 slides
Multiple bridge, tunnels and climbing thingies
POOL FEATURES:
Loads of designated lap lanes
A more shallow area for the youngsters (and its roped off to boot!)
Large stairs for easy access into and out of the pool (or for Dad/Mom to lounge on while he/she watches the youngsters swim around in their puddle jumpers).
Not a lot of shade over the pool, but a large grassy area nearby with numerous picnic tables if you need a break
PLAYSCAPE SURFACE:
The playscape is padded with recycled rubber tires, so its fun to 'bounce.' The other portion is covered in tiny pebbles, so burying younger siblings is an option.
BATHROOMS (BECAUSE POTTY TRAINING HAPPENS):
One pretty spacious woman's stall and one men's stall near the pool. A bit of a walk from the playground, but nothing to complain about.
PARKING:
Plentiful
EXTRAS:
Full-court basketball
SUGGESTED ROUTE(S):
The playscape is pretty--surrounded by large trees and natural landscape. The suggested running route, however, wanders alongside a semi-busy road for a bit and then into a neighborhood. If you're house-shopping, it's a great route.
TYPE OF PATH:
sidewalks, neighborhood streets
DOG FRIENDLY?
For running: Yes.
For playgrounding/swimming: Playgrounding, yes. Swimming, not so much.
PLAYSCAPE FEATURES:
Swings
Picnic tables (in the shade---bonus!)
4 slides
Multiple bridge, tunnels and climbing thingies
POOL FEATURES:
Loads of designated lap lanes
A more shallow area for the youngsters (and its roped off to boot!)
Large stairs for easy access into and out of the pool (or for Dad/Mom to lounge on while he/she watches the youngsters swim around in their puddle jumpers).
Not a lot of shade over the pool, but a large grassy area nearby with numerous picnic tables if you need a break
PLAYSCAPE SURFACE:
The playscape is padded with recycled rubber tires, so its fun to 'bounce.' The other portion is covered in tiny pebbles, so burying younger siblings is an option.
BATHROOMS (BECAUSE POTTY TRAINING HAPPENS):
One pretty spacious woman's stall and one men's stall near the pool. A bit of a walk from the playground, but nothing to complain about.
PARKING:
Plentiful
EXTRAS:
Full-court basketball
SUGGESTED ROUTE(S):
HEAD NORTH ON AMHERST, MAKE A LEFT AT THE LIBRARY AND FOLLOW ADELPHI LANE AROUND TO MARBLEHEAD DR. WHERE MARBLEHEAD DEAD ENDS, MAKE A LEFT AND FOLLOW THAT ROAD (DORSETT) ALL THE WAY AROUND, BACK TO THE PARK. 3.05 miles
