Summer is here and that means it’s gonna get HOT! But, we all know our little ones need to get outside, run off some energy, and play! So you just need to find a park with some shade to make it all bearable.
Here are some of our favorite shaded parks around town to get you started.
Austin
- Bartholomew District Park — Recently updated, this park offers a few options to get out of the sun: the younger playscapes and the splash pad. (5201 Berkman Drive)
- Brentwood Park and Pool — Complete with playground, tennis and basketball courts, picnic tables and a pool! A recently added pavilion adds even more shade (6710 Arroyo Seco)
- Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park — The shaded playground at this park make this one a local favorite. The park also has lots of trails and soccer fields. (6301 W Slaughter Ln)
- Dittmar Park and Recreation Center — Both the playground and the basketball courts are covered at this park. (1009 W Dittmar Rd)
- Dottie Jordan — Dottie Jordan has several playscapes and swing sets that are all shaded under large trees. There is also a trail that runs alongside a creek on the park’s western edge and a pool. (2803 Loyola Ln.)
- Eastwoods Park — This park is tucked away in Hyde Park, and is surprisingly large. Many spots are shaded, including the playground and splash pad. (Note: parking is metered) (3001 Harris Park Ave)
- Garrison Park — This park is covered in shade! It has trails, sand and a pool. (6001 Manchaca Rd)
- Katherine Fleischer Park — A large, heavily shaded playground can be found at this park, along with a community center, gazebo, pool, and courts for almost every sport. (2106 Klattenhoff Dr)
- Little Stacy Park — A nice shaded park for kids with a free wading pool, a nice playground, and restrooms. (1400 Alameda Dr)
- Lost Creek Park — Nice, shaded park with new playscapes, a gazebo, and water fountains. It is surrounded by a gate offering full enclosure. Note: It is small and can get crowded quickly. (1305 Quaker Ridge Dr)
- Mary Francis Baylor – Clarksville Park — This quiet park has a shaded play area, picnic tables, and a splash pad. (1811 W. 11th St)
- Mountain View Park — With a recently updated playground and lots of shade, this is a neighborhood favorite. (9000 Middlebie Dr.)
- Mueller Park — Large park with lots of trees and much to explore. Parking is free. The new Thinkery offers another escape from the heat and brain games for your little ones. If you get hungry, food trucks are often nearby to satisfy any craving. Note: folks say it can get crowded and there are only porta potties here. (4550 Mueller Blvd)
- Northwest District Park — Large playscapes that are partially shaded, along with picnic tables, make this a great park for family gatherings. Ample parking is a plus here, too. (7000 Ardath St)
- Oakview Park — Recently updated playscape and well maintained trails with lots of shade, make this a favorite for neighborhood families. Insiders say this one tends to stay quiet and not as crowded as others. (10800 Oak View Dr)
- Patterson Park — Well-shaded playscapes, nearby pool and picnic tables, which are designed by local artists, make this a great park to take a break from the sun. (4200 Brookview Rd.)
- Perry Playground Park — This playground has two separate areas, both of which are shaded. The wooded trails allow visitors to explore the geological beauty of the area, which was once a limestone quarry. (4900 Fairview Dr.)
- Rattan Creek Park — New covers and ample trees over the playscapes offer lots of shade. (Tamayo Dr & Elkhorn Mountain Trail)
- Ricky Guerrero Park — This park has a playscape and a shaded splash pad, along with creek access and restrooms on site. (2006 S 6th St, at Johanna St)
- Robinson Playground Park — This park has lots of trees. Note: The large playscape is not shaded, but the smaller one is. (13300 Humphrey Dr)
- Southpark Meadows Playscape — This park is filled with oak trees that provide ample shade. Families can enjoy the large playscape, interactive water fountain, and live music. (IH-35 South at Slaughter Ln)
- Springwoods Park — A local favorite! This park has tons of trees, a large playscape, picnic tables and BBQ pits, and lots of places to explore. Insiders claim this one has CLEAN restrooms – definitely a perk. (9117 Anderson Mill Rd)
Cedar Park
- Champion Park — This park has a covered play area and a sand pit where kids can dig for dinosaur bones, as well as a large blue whale that spouts water to cool off the kids and some boulders designed for climbing. There is also a small water play area and a large pavilion with picnic tables and grills. (3830 Brushy Creek Road)
- Elizabeth Milburn Park — Offers a recently updated playground, rock-climbing walls, picnic tables and grills, and much more, all with lots of shade. (1901 Sun Chase Blvd)
- Olsen Meadows Park — Along the Brushy Creek Trail system, this park offers tree shaded playscapes, practice fields and a jogging trail. (4200 Brushy Creek Rd)
Lakeway
- Lakeway City Park — Large park with lots of shade. You will find two play areas for the little ones, as well as lots of areas to walk and explore. (502 Hurst Creek Road)
Pflugerville
- Bohls Park — This 10-acre park has lots of trees that cover the playground. (200 Immanuel Road)
- Creekside Park — Less crowded than other parks in the area, this park offers a playground surrounded by trees. (418 Settlers Valley Dr)
- Geneva’s Park — This park offers a shade covered playground, as well as a basketball court and picnic tables. (1624 Royal Ascot)
- Heritage Park — A large canopy shades the playground here. (901 Old Austin Hutto Road)
- Pfluger Park — This large park has a gazebo and nicely shaded playground area. Note: word is that this park can get crowded during the summer months (515 City Park Rd)
- Windermere — A canopy covers this playground, as well, providing lots of shade. (16800 Gower)
Round Rock
- Play for All Abilities Park — A personal favorite – this huge park truly has fun for everyone! The park is surrounded by large trees that provide shade in some areas of the park, as well as shade covers over several of the large play areas, including the sand pit. (151 N AW Grimes)
- Round Rock Memorial Park — This park runs along Brushy Creek and offers shade under lots of trees. There are trails, as well as picnic tables and grills. (600 Lee St)
If you want to beat the sun AND get some grub while your child burns off that energy, check out these playgrounds!
- Central Market Lamar — There is a large playscape behind this popular grocery store and it is well shaded, as are most of the tables and benches where parents can sit and observe. You can grab grub at the café and enjoy! (4001 N Lamar Blvd)
- Phil’s Icehouse — All locations offer a playscape with some shade and some of the best burgers around.
- Stubbs BBQ at Graceland Grocery — two huge playgrounds and yummy BBQ! (8600 US 290 W)
What are your favorite parks to beat the sun with the kids?