Parents and caregivers have been enjoying the expansive Dick Nichols Park for many years. But one thing the park has lacked in years past is shade over the playscape area. Thankfully, that problem has been solved. Last year, Austin Parks and Recreation installed large triangular tarps over the playground area which have helped in keeping the kids (mostly) cool during hot Austin months.
Additionally, some of the outdated and broken playground equipment has been replaced and include a smile-inducing tandem swing, and a modern merry-go-round. Another recent upgrade is the fence around the playground area designed to protect kids from cars in the adjacent parking lot.
Still in good working order is the sea lion fountain on the edge of the playscape area that serves as a sprinkler. Kids at the park love to get hot and sweaty on the playscape then run over to the sea lion fountain to cool off. Another positive aspect of the park is the many available parking spaces—that’s a big plus in a growing city that struggles with overcrowded parking lots and traffic.
The 152-acre park is comprehensive, offering many recreational features including sand volleyball, basketball and tennis courts. The park is also well-loved for its free swimming pools which include a baby pool and large recreational and lap pools, all supervised by city lifeguards. Dick Nichols Park also features a 1.1 mile paved trail, perfect for strollers and bikes. Park-goers can walk, run or bike the loop. People can also venture down the longer trails that link into the expansive 30-mile Violet Crown Trail system.
With added shade over the playscape, Dick Nichols Park is even more appealing if you want to host an outdoor gathering, like a birthday party or family reunion, in the large pavilion where plenty of seating is available. And for a true Hill Country feeling, you can eat your lunch al fresco at a picnic table under the giant Live Oak tree– a huge draw for kids who love climbing. You may even feel inspired to reclaim your youth and join them.
Dick Nichols Park is located in Southwest Austin at 8011 Beckett Rd.
Jess Archer is a writer and speaker, and lives in Austin with her folk musician husband and two kids
Austin Museum Day
KEY:
A Art
C Culture
H History
S Science
M Math
Enjoy this once-a-year opportunity to explore Austin-area museums with free admission and special activities for families! Contact each museum to discover special activities and hours.
Art Galleries at Black Studies at UT
210 E. 24th St.
512-471-0254
A C
Austin History Center 1
810 Guadalupe St.
512-974-7480
C H
Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Dr.
512-974-3888
S
Blanton Museum of Art
200 E MLK Blvd.
512-471-7324
A
Briscoe Center for American History
2300 Red River St.
512-495-4515
C H
Brush Square Museums
411 E. 5th St.
512-974-3830
H
Bullock Texas State History Museum 2
1800 Congress Ave.
512-936–8746
H
Chateau Bellevue (Austin Women’s Club)
708 San Antonio St.
512-472-1336
C H
City of Austin Cultural Arts Division
Art in Public Places and The People’s Gallery @ City Hall
512-974-7700
A C
Creative Action
1023 Springdale Rd.
512-442-8773
A C
Dougherty Arts Center
1110 Barton Springs Rd.
512-974-4000
A C
Elisabet Ney Museum
304 E. 44th St.
512-458-2255
A H
George Washington Carver Museum
1165 Angelina St.
512-974-4926
A C H
German-Texan
Heritage Society
507 E. 10th St.
512-467-4569
C H
Harry Ransom Center
21st and Guadalupe Sts.
512-471-8944
C
Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms 3
10621 Pioneer Farms Dr.
512-837-1215
H
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 4
4801 La Crosse Ave.
512-232-0200
A S
Landmarks Public
Art Program
2305 Trinity St.
512-495-4315
A C
LBJ Presidential Library
2313 Red River St.
512-721-0200
C H
MathHappens
Various museums
512-663-1680
M
Mexic-Arte Museum 5
419 Congress Ave.
512-480-9373
A C
Millett Opera House
110 9th St.
512-477-9496
H
Neill-Cochran
House Museum
2310 San Gabriel St.
512-478-2335
H
Old Bakery & Emporium
1006 Congress Ave.
512-477-5961
A C H
Republic of Texas Museum
510 E. Anderson Ln.
512-339-1997
H
Save Austin’s Cemeteries
sachome.org
512-917-1666
H
Science Mill
101 S. Lady Bird Ln., Johnson City
844-263-6405
S
South Austin Museum of Popular Culture
1516-B S. Lamar Blvd.
512-440-8318
A C H
Texas Capitol
Visitors Center
112 E. 11th St.
512-305-8400
C H
Texas DPS Historical Museum
5805 N. Lamar Blvd.
512-424-2396
H
Texas Medical Assn. History of Medicine Gallery
401 W. 15th St.
512-370-1550
S H
Texas Memorial Museum
2400 Trinity St.
512-471-1604
S
Texas Military Forces Museum
2200 W. 35th St., Bldg. 6
512-782-5659
H
Texas Music Museum
1009 E. 11th St.
512-472-8891
C H
Texas State Capitol
1100 Congress Ave.
512-463-4630
C H
Texas Wendish
Heritage Museum 6
1011 County Road 212, Giddings
979-366-2441
C H
The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center
700 Congress Ave.
512-453-5312
A
The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria
3809 W. 35th St.
512-458-8191
A
Sheffield Education Center
2201 Barton Springs Rd.
512-974-6350
S
Thinkery 7
1830 Simond Ave.
512-469-6200
S
Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
605 Robert E. Lee Rd.
512-445-5582
A C
Visual Arts Center
23rd and Trinity sts.
512-232-2348
A
Waller Creek Conservancy
211 E. 7th St.
512-541-3520
S
Williamson Museum 8
716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown
512-943-1670
C H
Williamson Museum on the Chisholm Trail
8 Chisholm Tr., Round Rock
512-943-1670
C H
Women & Their Work 9
1710 Lavaca St.
512-477-1064
A
