Givens Recreation Center and District Park

Givens is a park and recreation center that has been around for a very long time. I have gone there for several years now, and in the beggining I was not too impressed. After a few years though, they have really begin to clean up the area and improve the facilites. They have baseball and T Ball summer leagues, and there has been some significant diversification of the people that go there. I have been particulary impressed with the improvement of the parks. I will likely go there again, and would recommend if you live on the east side of Austin, that you go check it out. It’s close to downtown, and pretty easy to get to.

On Saturday, I experienced a small miracle: There was toilet paper in a portapotty in a public park. I know, i know, you probably don’t believe it but it’s true. It set the mood for the day and we had a fabulous time romping in this park that didn’t even know existed.
It’s just east of Airport on 12^th street and the thing has whatever you might want in a park: basketball courts, tennis courts, a baseball, kickball diamond, a creek, picnic benches, big shady trees and a pool. Although I think the pool is sans agua so don’t count on that being an option. We brought a big cooler, some ipod speakers and just lazed about, marveling at how secluded the park felt with the dappled sunlight and springy fresh grass.
It wasn’t crowded at all, especially considering it was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon when Zilker probably resembles a zoo more than a park. A great place to take a date and a picnic, a book and a blanket, or simply have some time with your family. For free. Imagine!