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S P O R T S A N D L E I S U R E
 Whether you are looking for world class golf courses, a quiet bike or hiking trail, a rock to climb, Austin has it all. There is a great variety of outdoor activities to choose from which makes Austin a perfect place for Austin's active lifestyle. CYCLING, HIKING, AND CLIMBING
For people who like to hike, bike and climb, Austin is a year-round playground! With soaring cliffs, trails with turns and twists, and designated road ways for cyclists, you’re sure to find the terrain for your extreme inner child.
 Parks and Recreation Department
RACES AND MARATHONS
 Austin American-Statesman Capitol 10,000 - early spring annual 445.3598 Freescale Marathon 478.4265 RunTex Distance Challenge -- 472.3254 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure – fall annual 473.0900 Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot 479.8805 3M Half-Marathon 984.7223 Information about other races can be found at RunTex. GOLF The city has a long tradition of quality yet affordable golf. Top 10 Public Golf Courses: 1. The Golf Club - Star Ranch Top Ten Private Golf Courses: 1. Tie:See our special GOLF page for more details. DISC GOLF
Many of the Austin's neighborhood parks feature 9 and 18 hole folf (disc golf) courses. So, come pitch a Frisbee!
Austin Recreation Center Austin Ice Bats-HOCKEY TENNIS
Local Tennis Organizations Capital Area Tennis Assoc. Tennis Instruction Newk's Tennis Ranch BOWLING
Score a strike at any one of Austin’s area bowling alleys. With friendly crowds, stocked snack bars and plenty of pins to knock down, you’re sure to find fun the whole family can enjoy.
Dart Bowl
Highland Lanes PUTT-PUTT GOLF
Have fun while working on your putting skills at one of Austin’s fine miniature golf courses. These beautifully landscaped courses offer clean greens and obstacles to challenge even the most seasoned golfers.
Austin’s Park ‘n Pizza  ROCK CLIMBINGParks: Bull Creek, Barton Creek Greenbelt, McKinney Falls State Park, Pace Bend Park South Austin Rock Gym PARKS AND RECREATION CENTERS
The Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of programs at the following centers. Programs are for children, adults, and seniors and include dance, fitness, table games, gymnastics, tiny tots, boxing, karate, team sport leagues, and more. For more information visit Parks & Recreation Department Recreation Centers. RECREATION CENTERS: Alamo Recreation Center SWIMMING
The Aquatic Division operates 48 public pool facilities, which includes: 27 neighborhood pools, 12 wading pools, 2 water playscapes, 6 municipal pools, the Emma Long waterfront, and Barton Springs Pool. BEST OUTDOOR SWIMMING SPOTS
BARTON SPRINGS POOL
2101 Barton Springs Road (In Zilker Park) Map 512.476.9044 Many people think Barton Springs is not only the best swimming spot in Austin, but also the best swimming spot on earth. The 1,100 ft. long, 3 acre, spring-fed pool is one of the largest non-chlorinated swimming pools in the country. It averages 68 degrees year round. You can find ducks, bass, crawfish, and double-crested cormorants splashing alongside the swimmers. Barton Springs was created millions of years ago as a result of a landshift that created the Balcones Fault. Native Americans called the springs Sacred Springs and came to the springs to heal their wounds. Over the years, it has become a very popular spot for Austinites and their visitors. There is a shallow end for children, a deep area for floating, a diving board, and room for lap swimmers. It is open year round and closed on Thursdays for cleaning. There is a small charge. DEEP EDDY POOL 401 Deep Eddy Drive at Lake Austin Boulevard Map 512.476.4521 Deep Eddy Pool Schedule Lap swimmers have their own pool, kids can frolic to their heart's content, and sunbathers can enjoy the cool water and massive cottonwood trees of Deep Eddy Pool. It is the state's oldest swimming pool. It originated as a natural swimming hole on the Colorado River before Lady Bird Lake existed. The concrete pool was constructed in 1915 and was the first outdoor pool in Texas. At that time, there were cabins, camping areas, and even a ferris wheel. A variety of performances including a diving horse were popular attractions. Today, the spring-fed pool is popular for lap swimming and wading. During summer, a large movie screen is set up for pool-side Splash Party Movie Nights. Float in the pool while enjoying family films! There is a small charge. STACY POOL 800 E. Live Oak Map 512.476.4521 Stacy Pool is the place to swim during cold weather because it is heated by a natural warm spring. (The water is a mixture of city water and 100 degree well pumped water, resulting in a pool temperature average of 80 degrees.) It is not a large pool but it is popular with swimmers, especially lap swimmers. It is run by the city's aquatics department. Admission is free.  HAMILTON POOL PRESERVE Hamilton Pool Preserve has a sandy beach, a 75-ft waterfall, and a huge rock formation that can be explored from a path that circles the pool. Cliff Swallows live above the pool in tiny nests and are seen constantly coming and going. The park also has good hiking trails. Hamilton Pool is located approximately 30 miles southwest of Austin. Take Highway 71 west of Austin and turn left onto FM 3828 (Hamilton Pool Road). Travel 13 miles to the Preserve entrance, which is on your right. Call 512.264.2740 for swimming conditions before you come. Admission charge. SAN MARCOS RIVER The San Marcos River is about a 30-minute drive from Austin. Fed by San Marcos Springs, there are several spots that are popular along the river. Tube it, snorkel it, or swim it! The falls below Peppers Restaurant have long been a favorite of the locals. Along the river, you can spot rare plants, turtles, and fish. SCULPTURE FALLS ON BARTON CREEK This is a beautiful spot when the creek is flowing. Located about 1.3 miles upstream of the MoPac bridge and is accessible by walking or cycling. City curfew on trails is from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. To view a photo, click here.  KRAUSE SPRINGS IN SPICEWOOD Krause Springs is one of the best yet least-known swimming spots in Central Texas. It is privately owned, and it has a regular cement swimming pool as well as a rustic swimming spot on Little Cypress Creek. Overnight camping is available. Take Highway 71 west to Spicewood. Look for the signs on the right. Call 210.693.4181 for more information. Map HIPPIE HOLLOW Hippie Hollow is one of the few public swimming spots in Texas where clothing is optional. It is also one of the best places to see the rare black-capped vireo, an endangered bird. The Park features a steep, rocky shoreline and provides spectacular views of Lake Travis. No one under 18 is admitted. From FM 620, go west 1.5 miles on Comanche Trail just past the Oasis Restaurant. Call Travis County Parks at 512.473.9437. Map. BLUE HOLE IN GEORGETOWN Located on the San Gabriel River, the Blue Hole is a small but well-worth visiting swimming spot. Nearby there is a grassy area on the riverbank for picnics. From the Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown, go north on U.S. 81 (also called Austin Avenue), turn left on 2nd Street, then right on Rock Street to the river. Admission is free. (The Blue Hole has been closed temporarily due to damages received from spring '08 flooding.) BLUE HOLE IN WIMBERLEY 333 Blue Hole Lane Wimberley, Texas Located on Cypress Creek, one quarter mile east of the town square, is the Blue Hole in Wimberley. Rope swings hang from huge cypress trees that line the spring-fed creek. For a beautiful picture, please visit Friends of Blue Hole. 512.847.9127 or 512.847.0025 Map. For more information, please visit: Swimming/Swimming Pools and Other Places to Swim.
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The information herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, no investigation has been made to determine the accuracy of such information. No person or entity should rely on the accuracy of this material without conducting a thorough, independent investigation of same. JW Properties has no liability expressed or implied relating to this information.
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