NAME:
Metz Park Playscape & Splash Pad

LOCATION:
East of 35 on the North side of Town Lake
2407 Centerbury Street, Austin, TX  78702

DISTANCE:
4 miles

HOW TOUGH?:
HOW PRETTY?
Quite eclectic scenery from a dam to sculpture gardens to beautiful boardwallk views.  Lots to gawk at while you're running.

TYPE OF PATH:
Paved, Dirt & Metal (Boardwalk) - OH MY!

DOG FRIENDLY?
For running: Yes!
For playgrounding/splashing/swimming: Yes!  Lots of grassy spots and shade for pup to relax and play

PLAYSCAPE FEATURES:
faux cannon, bucket swings, 2 slides, several climbing things
unfortunately there isn't any shade over the playscape so the equipment gets pretty warm in the sunshine.

PLAYSCAPE SURFACE:
Mulch. Usually hot if it's sunny outside.

SPLASHPAD FEATURES:
5 or 6 fairly small water features, 1 large waterfall and a squirting flower.
Not a very well-known splash pad so its usually quite quiet.

BATHROOMS (BECAUSE POTTY TRAINING HAPPENS):
Local community center with bathrooms, but they have specific hours, so the restrooms may not always be available.

PARKING:
Small parking lot shared with the community center.

EXTRAS:
The community center provides a FREE lunch to the locals from 11-12 EVERY DAY.  If there are enough leftovers, they usually will ask if you would like one. Sah-wheat score!
No a whole lot of shade around the playscape, but a decent amount on and around the splashpad.  Several umbrella-covered tables for proper snacking.
The part of the trail for the suggested route is not nearly as busy as the rest of Town Lake so side-by-side jogging is much easier here.
Large field near the playscape for soccer, catch, whatevs.

SUGGESTED ROUTE(S):
Picture
START OUT HEADING EAST ON LADY BIRD TRAIL (FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PARK NEAR THE HALF BASKETBALL COURT), FOLLOW THE TRAIL OVER THE DAM, UP THE BRIDGE TO 35 AND BACK THROUGH FIESTA GARDENS. AND YES, IF YOU'RE WEAVING THROUGH BASEBALL FIELDS AND BY CONCESSION STANDS, YOU ARE GOING THE CORRECT ROUTE. 4 MILES