South Austin Parks
Ravenscroft is a lovely new development of South Austin townhomes that offer a relaxed style of living with all of the amenities. It’s a short drive from busy downtown Austin, yet close to tranquil parks and gardens. The moderate Austin weather and an extensive park system provide an ideal environment for adults and children who want to participate in outdoor activities. There’s something for everyone. Disc golf is a popular sport played with saucer-shaped discs and baskets, and there are two courses available in the area. One park has seven soccer fields and another has equestrian trails and parking for horse trailers. Walking trails are plentiful. A beautiful botanical garden is located a short drive west of Ravenscroft and this garden center hosts lectures and events that promote the care and preservation of native Texan plants and trees.
Mary Moore Searight Metropolitan Park
This is a lovely park located east of the Ravenscroft. The park consists of 344 acres and is named for Mary Moore Searight who donated her ranch in the 1980s to Austin for use as a park. The park offers a wide variety of activities. The more sedate visitors can fish in Slaughter Creek, which runs through the park. For those individuals who are seeking more strenuous activity than fishing, opportunities abound. There are tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, softball fields, 2 miles of paved hiking and biking trails, a disc golf course, a 3-mile equestrian trail and corral for parking horse trailers, a large well-equipped playground, picnic areas and a picnic shelter that you can reserve in advance. There is also an area set aside for model airplane enthusiasts, and the Hill Country AeroModelers Club operates a mini-runway and provides instruction for newcomers to the hobby.
Slaughter Creek at Bauerle Ranch
The entrance to this 308-acre park is located west of Ravenscroft. The park area is also known as Slaughter Creek Greenbelt. It is part of the Austin park system but the city does not maintain it. Consequently, it’s a great place to wander and get in touch with nature in its natural habitat. A group of volunteers are raising money and contributing time to clear a 3.1-mile trail within the park.
Circle C Metropolitan Park on Slaughter Creek
This 545-acre park is located north of Ravenscroft and is most widely known for its seven soccer fields that are actively used by the surrounding communities. In addition to the soccer fields, the park has two basketball and volleyball courts, a multipurpose field, a playground, six picnic tables, 5.9 miles of trails and a 21-hole disc golf course.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
This 279-acre public botanical garden is located west of Ravenscroft with an entrance at 4801 La Crosse Avenue. The Center is devoted to the study of native Texas plants and is affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin. Visitors are encouraged to walk the trails that wind through the gardens and docent-led group tours are available. Self-guided audio tours are available at the Wildlife Center and on the website. There are a variety of landscapes including a butterfly garden and a wildflower meadow. If you need to rest, an onsite restaurant serves lunch and beverages. If you hunger for knowledge, there’s an auditorium where educational programs are presented to the public on a regular basis.
