Looking for an outdoor space to run off some energy, explore nature, or work on athletic skills? Whether it’s you or it’s your kids who need a place to go, Cedar Park, Texas, offers plenty of awesome park options. Many of these green spaces welcome dogs if you have a furry family member with some expendable energy as well. Here are five nearby parks worth visiting.
Southwest Williamson County Regional Park
Image via Flickr by bdearth
On the northeastern edge of Cedar Park, Southwest Williamson County Regional Park welcomes visitors to make use of its numerous athletic fields, hiking and biking trails, open fields, and disc golf course from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. any day of the week. No matter your interest, there’s something you’re bound to enjoy at this massive local park. Six pavilions are available to use if you need a spot to host an outdoor gathering or celebration. Contact the park office to reserve a pavilion or try to grab one on a first-come-first-served basis.
Young kids will love the opportunity to ride the miniature train on the Cedar Rock Railroad. Check the website for operating times and reservation information for special occasions. With 11 soccer fields, a football field, six basketball courts, two softball fields, and eight tennis courts, Southwest Williamson County Regional Park is an oasis of sorts for the sports lover.
Get the whole family involved in a game of disc golf using the park’s course. If it’s a hot day, bring your swimsuits and cool off at the Quarry Splash Pad. Get a workout in on the 400-meter track or by running or biking one of the many park trails. You’ll need to visit this park several times to truly experience all it has to offer.
Veterans Memorial Park
Visit Veterans Memorial Park to appreciate and reflect on Texas’ military history at the Veteran’s Memorial and Monument any day from dawn until 10 p.m. All branches of the military are honored at this monument with a specific focus on a few local heroes including U.S. Army Specialist First Class Matthew Morris who is from Cedar Park. He was killed by an explosive device in Iraq on April 6, 2008, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After spending some time at the memorial, be sure to explore the rest of Veterans Memorial Park and all it has to offer. You’ll find a large public pool with a zero-depth entry area on one side, which is great for little swimmers. There’s also a slide and diving area for older kids to enjoy. Other amenities include rentable pavilions, a community garden, basketball courts, tennis courts, and spacious fields.
Have a family dog with lots of energy? Check out Cedar Bark Park within Veterans Memorial Park. Pups love running around the open area, splashing in the pond, and cooling off at the dog water fountains. Don’t worry if they get muddy. There’s a dog shower area to rinse them off before getting in the car.
Brushy Creek Lake Park and Sports Park
Brushy Creek Sports Park is the perfect place for an active family. Park hours are from dawn until 10 p.m. daily. There’s a skateboard park, several athletic courts and fields, as well as eight miles of trails that run through both areas of the park. On the western end of the park, the Brushy Creek Sports Park features three soccer fields, two baseball fields, and a skate park with a large bowl and lots of rails.
Head to the eastern end of Brushy Creek Lake Park using the Brushy Creek Regional Trail or by driving on Brushy Creek Road to check out the various nature trails, water playscape, picnic areas, and Brushy Creek Lake. Enjoy time out on the water in a canoe or kayak or catch some fish at the fishing pier. Other park amenities include restrooms, barbecue grills, pavilions, a paved bike and walking trail, and a wildlife observation area.
Cedar Park Sculpture Garden
Right next to the Cedar Park Recreation Center, the Cedar Park Sculpture Garden is a beautiful and interesting place to enjoy some time outside any time of day throughout the year. The recreation center offers top-notch indoor facilities including a weight room, track, pickleball courts, and more. You can visit the sculpture garden without belonging to the Cedar Park Recreation Center. Walk along the garden trails to view works of art created by local artists. Many of the works you’ll see are actually for sale by the artists.
The collection of sculptures on display rotates each year as the garden organizers issue a call for local artists to submit works to be a part of the upcoming year. Featured artists include Daniel Garity, Reynaldo Alaniz, Randy Halsted, Kirk Seese, Siri Dehipitiya, Warren Cullar, and Anthony St. James.
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
You need to make a short trip to reach the last park on our list, but it’s certainly worth the drive. The Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is about 18 miles west of Cedar Park and welcomes visitors to explore the lands and hike the trails all year-round from sunrise to sunset. Stop by the refuge headquarters between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to grab a trail map and learn more about the lands.
Budding bird watchers and kids interested in field biology will love a trip to the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Keep an eye out for educational opportunities for both kids and adults at the refuge by checking their website. Online resources like coloring pages and printable activities offer parents help to get kids excited about their time at the refuge.
Take some time to get outside on your own or with family and enjoy the beautiful parks around the area. Crème de la Crème of Cedar Park (Lakeline Blvd.), TX, recommends checking out these awesome local parks. Were there specific aspects of any of the parks that you or your kids enjoyed? Did we miss a local park in our list that should be included? Drop us a line and let us know what you think.