Parks and Recreation Guide - March 2008

Parks and Recreation Guide - March 2008

By Community Impact Newspaper Staff Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Cross-country trail

The 3-mile Brushy Creek Regional Trail is the beginning of a trail system that could eventually connect Cedar Park, Round Rock, Hutto and Manor, according to Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department Director Jim Rodgers.

Plans were in place to use funds from the Texas Department of Transportation for a trail that would begin at the North East Metropolitan Park near Manor, which would go to Hutto and then towards Round Rock and reach the Brushy Creek trail, which is designed to expand to 8 miles. Those grants are no longer available, but although delayed, Rodgers said the cities and counties involved still plan to build the regional system – just at a slower pace. It will take several smaller grants, such as one Round Rock applied for from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to build a downtown trail.

“We’ll work on it piece by piece,” Rodgers said. “Trails are high on the citizen’s wish-list.”

Room to roam for man’s best friend

Round Rock Canine Corral, the city’s first dog park and leash-free area, will open March 29 at the Lake Creek Park by the pool. The nearest similar facilities are in Georgetown and Austin. The grand opening event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at 800 Deerfoot Drive. Pet care vendors will also be on site.

The 1.5-acre park will include three fenced enclosures with two in use and one rotating in recovery. A small dog enclosure will be reserved for pets smaller than 40 pounds. To help with maintenance, the city is considering organizing a volunteer group of dog lovers.

For more information, call 218-5540 or visit www.roundrocktexas.gov.

The rules (not comprehensive)

• Dogs must be licensed and have all current rabies vaccinations.
• Dogs must be leashed when entering and leaving the park.
• Dogs must never be left unattended.
• Dog owners are responsible for removing all waste from the premises.
• Dog owners are recommended to use the 20 by 40 ft. timeout area if their pet shows signs of aggression.
• Dogs under 40 pounds must use the small dog enclosure.
• Dogs under four months are not allowed.

New outdoor fitness equipment was unveiled during the Pflugerville Pfitness Walk and Fitness Zone event Feb. 2, at Bohls Park and Gilleland Creek Park.

The equipment is similar to what is found at a gym, including an elliptical, stair-climber and exercise bikes, but made sturdy enough for the outdoors by TriActive America.

The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department’s Steps to a Healthier Austin Program funded the project. Similar equipment is also being installed in Austin and Manor.

Bohls Park 380 Immanuel Road Equipment: Air walker, exercise bike, rider, step & twist, warm-up station

Gilleland Creek Park700 Railroad Ave, Equipment: Elliptical, exercise bike, treadmill, sit-up board

Source: The Austin/Travis County Healthv and Human Services Department

At the old ball field

Old Settlers Park will receive more than $18 million in improvements by December 2009. The project broke ground Jan. 25 on the initial stage for a girls’ softball complex near CR 122 and Kiphen Road. This first complex will be completed by fall and include amenities such as lit batting cages and a warming track.

The project was first funded last July, in response to overuse of existing fields and plans to increase the city’s capacity to host competitions. Round Rock promotes amateur athletics through its Sports Capital of Texas campaign, which is also an economic development effort with the city.

Project summary:

• Improvements to fields, dugouts and spectator areas of the existing 20-field youth baseball and softball complexes
• New practice areas
• New five-field complex for girls’ softball with concession, hitting area and covered seating
• Additional parking at Rock ‘N River Family Aquatic Center
• New restroom and pro-shop at the tennis courts

Other changes at Old Settlers Round Rock Sports Complex

In an effort to consolidate the numerous baseball leagues in Round Rock, a new organization that will play at Old Settlers Park is expected to be ready for Fall 2008 league registration. With the bylaws drafted, the league representatives submitted the name Round Rock Baseball League to the Texas Secretary of State. Once finalized, the organization will be officially incorporated. Board member elections will take place in March.

Source: Williamson County Parks and Recreation

Rendering of future girls’ softball fields at CR 122 and Kiphen Road. The new complex will feature lit batting cages and a warming track.

Round Rock Trails

• Southwest Williamson County Regional Park Distance: 2.8 miles
• Sam Bass Trails Distance: .29, 1.08 and .55 miles
• Behrens Ranch Trail Distance: 1.53 miles
• Wood Glen Trail Distance: .96 miles
• Brushy Creek Trail Distance: 5.2 miles
• Round Rock West Greenbelt Distance: .85 miles
• La Frontera Central Greenbelt Distance: .63 miles
• Old Settlers Park Trail Distance: 3.13 miles
• Brushy Creek Trail Distance: .6 miles
• Dell Way Corridor Distance: 2.12 miles
• Brushy Creek East Trail Distance: 1.28 miles
• Lake Forest Trail Distance: .71 miles
• Greater Lake Creek Trail Distance: 2 miles

Round Rock Parks

• Clay Madsen Park, 1600 Gattis School Road
• Buck Egger Park, 900 South Mays
• Greenlawn Park, 1501 Gattis School Road
• Kinningham Park, 1000 Southcreek Drive
• Lake Creek Park, 800 Deerfoot Drive
• Meadow Lake Park, 2901 Settlement Drive
• Round Rock Memorial Park, 600 Lee St.
• Round Rock West Park, 500 Round Rock Ave.
• Old Settlers Park, 3300 East Palm Valley Blvd.
• Chisholm Valley Park, 1201 Tray St.
• Creekmont West Park, 1006 Oakridge Drive
• Frontier Park, 1502 Frontier Trail
• Greenhill Park, 1825 Nicole Circle
• Jester Farms Park, 2607 Bradley Lane
• Kensington Park, 1890 Oxford
• Mesa Village Park, 1403 Georgetown St.
• Settlement Park, 1401 David Curry Loop
• Somerset Park, 1600 Somerset Drive
• Stella Park, 803 Nancy Drive
• Veterans Park, 200 Pecan
• Southwest Williamson County Park, 3005 CR 175, Leander

Pools & Skate Park

• Clay Madsen Rec Center Pool, 1600 Gattis School Road
• Lake Creek Pool, 800 Deerfoot Drive
• Micki Krebsbach Pool, 301 Deepwood Drive
• Rock ‘N’ River Family Aquatic Center, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd.
• Round Rock Skate Park, 1600 Gattis School Road

Pflugerville Trails

• Heritage Loop Distance: 3.5 miles, loop trail that connects Gilleland Creek, Bohls & Heritage Parks
• Settlers Valley Trail Distance: 1.4 miles
• Pfairways Trail Distance: .75 miles
• Keumpel Trail Distance: 1.1 miles
• Olympic/Heatherwilde Distance: .8 miles
• Falcon Pointe Trail Distance: 1.75 miles
• Pflugerville Parkway Distance: 1 mile
• Wells Branch Parkway Distance: 1.4 miles
• Swenson Farms Blvd. Distance: .5 miles
• Hidden Lake Trail Distance: .5 miles
• Cambridge Heights-Zola Distance: .4 miles

Pools

• Gilleland Creek Pool, 700 Railroad Ave.
• Scott B. Mentzer Pool, 901 Old Austin Hutto Road

Pflugerville Parks

• Pfluger Park, 515 City Park Road
• Gilleland Creek Park, 700 Railroad Ave.
• Heritage Park, 901 Hutto Road
• Moose Park, 1218 West Settlers Valley Drive
• Wells Point Park Soccer Complex, 800 S. Heatherwilde Blvd.
• Cambridge Heights Park, 17500 Marfa Lights Trail
• Falcon Point at Secluded, intersection of Secluded Willow and Sunken Creek
• Geneva’s Park, 1624 Royal Ascot Drive
• Old Town Park, corner of 2nd St. and Hoopes
• Creekside Park, Settlers Valley Drive – Creekside Subdivision
• Bohls Park, 380 Immanuel Road
• Falcon Point Park at Mallard Pond, intersection of Mallard Pond and Kennemer
• Mountain Creek Park, Ambrose and 10th St.
• Wuthrich Park, Mountain View Cove
• E. Main Street Park, 901 E. Main St.
• Northeast Metropolitan Park, Pecan St. & Toll 130