Austin and the surrounding area is home to several parks. Parks with playscapes, splash pads, pools, grills, picnic tables… we’ve got it all! Do512 Family wants you to know as much as possible about every area park that’s out there so that you can pick the right place to play with your family and friends.
Veterans Memorial Park sits on a beautiful green grassy hill and contains more than just a cool play structure; it is actually 3 parks in one. Located at the edge of the hill country off of 1431, you will drive upon lots of happy dogs, the view of this green hill with a large America flag sailing, and a water park in the back corner. Sounds great, right? Well, here’s the breakdown…
The Park itself:
Turn left inside the parking lot and you’ll find plenty of spaces. On the right, is a really fun new play structure. (Not your old wood beams here).There some funky monkey bars, lots of stuff to crawl through and spin on. It is really intended for older kids, which is great, because those are hard to find!
There is also a reservable pavilion, reserveable amphitheater, and some basketball and tennis courts. If your kids tire of the play structure, they can walk to the top of the hill (also great for scootering) and see the actual Veteran’s Memorial (for which the park is named).
Cedar Bark Park:
The first thing you see when you drive up are lots of happy dogs running around. That’s because there are 5 acres of fenced in pups who are off leash and socializing. There’s an area for smaller dogs and another one for larger dogs, but any dog is welcome into the main field that contains a large pond, just for dogs, and a ramp on one side for those pups who like to jump in. The park contains plenty of doggy disposal bags and dump boxes, doggy drinking fountains, and doggy showers.
If your kids are big enough, you can send them to the play structure part of the park and still see them from the doggy park. I suggest wearing things you don’t mind muddied as you’ll be sure to make other four- legged friends. This might be the coolest doggy park ever!
Veterans Memorial Pool:
I describe this is as more of a water park than a pool. Veterans contain 8500 square feet of water fun for every age kid in your family. There is a zero depth beach area for the wee ones with plenty of things squirting, sprinkling and spraying, a play structure for those a bit bigger with a huge dump bucket of water, and mid depth pools with a water basketball game, and log crossing. For the brave kids in your family, there is a chute water slide and high platform dive (both of which require a swim test if your brave ones are on the younger side.)
There is a ton of lounge seating in sunny areas and well shaded areas with tables. Feel free to stock up on the snacks and drinks and bring them along, as there is nothing more than a soda machine there.
The pool is open:
Monday –Saturdays, 12- 7 pm
Sundays, 12-6 pm
Admission:
Children 3 and under- FREE
Children ages 4-8- $2
Students ages 9-17- $4
Adults ages 18-older- $5
Seniors ages 60+ -$2
As a Cedar Park resident, this is a place moms frequent for their kids and pets, but it’s certainly worth the drive from anywhere in Austin.
The address: 2525 New Hope Drive. For information, please call 512-401-5500
Written By Jennifer Wizbowski, a freelance writer, and mom of two who will spend plenty of time at this park this summer!
