オースティンに住んだことがある方はきっとご存知と思いますが、オースティンはとっても
ペットフレンドリーな都市です。
市内には沢山のペットパークがあり、アパートに至っても、ペットパークがあるアパートがほとんどです。
暖かい季節には犬と飼い主が一緒に川で遊んでいる姿を良く目にします。
レンタル物件での「ペット可」ですら当たり前のようになっています。
オースティン、及びオースティン近郊のペットパークをご紹介
Auditorium Shores* 920 W. Riverside Drive 512/974-6700 On the banks of Town Lake, just west of the First Street Bridge. Auditorium Shores is an outdoor concert venue with an especially busy summer schedule, a place to catch the fireworks on the Fourth of July and the hub of Austin’s most popular hike-and-bike trail. Leash free area from South First to Bouldin Avenue.
Barton Creek Greenbelt Preserve 3755 B Capital of Texas Hwy 512/472-1267 This popular greenbelt follows a creek and offers about 7 miles of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails. There are also several popular swimming holes along the creek. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash. Some of the more popular access points to the trails are Zilker Metropolitan Park, and Loop 360 (south of MoPac/Loop 1).
Bob Wentz Park Bob Wentz Park Road 512/854-9020 This 211 acre park is located in the wild basin area of Lake Travis in the scenic Hill Country of Central Texas. Bob Wentz Park is a favorite location for water sports. The park’s facilities and close proximity to Austin (approximately one-half hour’s drive from downtown) make it attractive for picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, and scuba diving. The park includes a boat dock, two sand volleyball courts, a shoreline walking path, and a pavilion available for rent. Pets are allowed in the park, but must be kept on a leash and are not permitted on The Point.
Bull Creek District Dog Park* 6701 Lakewood Drive 512/974-6700 This dog park is not fenced. It has access to the creek for water-loving pooches. Well-behaved dogs can roam and play off-leash, but must be under verbal control and within your sight. The off-leash area is located behind the restrooms. 川を中心に広がったドックエリアが水遊び大好きなワンちゃんには楽しい空間です。
Emma Long Metropolitan Park* 1600 City Park Road 512/346-1831 Emma Long Metropolitan Park is the largest city-owned park at almost 1,200 acres. Just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Austin, and easy to get to from RR 2222. Follow scenic City Park Road down to the shores of Lake Austin, and spend the day swimming, water-skiing, picnicking, or camping. Leash free area is between City Park Drive, and the west park boundary fence, Turkey Creek and the top ridge of the bluff line overlooking Lake Austin.
Far West ROW* between Great Northern Blvd. & Shoal Creek Blvd. Relatively unknown and a bit difficult to find it offers a small leash free area from Far West Boulevard right of way between Great Northern Boulevard and Shoal Creek Boulevard.
Northeast District Park* 5909 Crystalbrook Dr. Located east of HWY 183 at the corner of Loyola and Crystalbrook the park has a lighted basketball court, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits and playground. One large shelter is available for reservations. It will seat 84, and accomodate 100. Electricity is available at an additional cost payable in advance of the reservation. There are BBQ grills adjacent to the shelter. Leash free area between Crystal Brook Drive, the railroad right of way and Decker Lake Road.
Norwood Estate Dog Park* I-35/Riverside Drive 512/974-6700 This is a fully fenced dog park. Well-behaved dogs can roam and play off-leash, but must be under verbal control and within your sight. The dog park is located on the north end of Travis Heights at the northwest corner of Riverside Drive and I-35.
Onion Creek District Park* 6900 Onion Creek Dr. Leash free area located at the North end of the greenbelt.
Red Bud Isle* 3401 Red Bud Trail Unit Circle _ This park is on Ladybird Lake, just below Tom Miller Dam, and is the entry point for Redbud Trail. A peninsula surrounded by lake it is a great place for water dogs. The whole park is leash free! Great park, and a must see.名前の通り、小さい島になっているので、車などを全く気にせずに犬を安心させて遊ばせることが出来ます。川もあり、水遊び好きなワンちゃんにとっても楽しい公園です。1週40分ぐらいのハイキング気分。ロケーションも最高。
Shoal Creek Greenbelt* 2600-2799 Lamar Blvd. This three-mile trail extends from Ladybird Lake to 38th Street. As you walk along the crushed limestone, gravel and concrete trail, you will enjoy the trees and green spaces. You are sure to find the perfect spot for a picnic or leisurely stroll. The portion of the trail from 24th Street to 29th Street is designated as a no-leash zone, and hundreds of dog owners flock to the area.
Town Lake 2100 Barton Springs 512/974-6700 This is a popular walking and swimming spot for people and dogs. Dogs must be on a leash no more than 6 feet long. The park offers 10 miles of walking, hiking and bicycling trails. There are many beaches located along the lake. Playgrounds, picnic tables, and restrooms are available at Ladybird Lake. There are many access points to this park, including Zilker Metropolitan Park at 2100 Barton Springs Road. To get there from I-35, take the Riverside exit. Go west on Riverside towards downtown. After you pass Congress Avenue, turn left onto Barton Springs. Go about 2 miles to the park. The entrance will be on the left.
Walnut Creek District Park* 12138 N. Lamar Blvd. Walnut Creek Metropolitan park is located in far north Austin, a little to the west of IH-35. There are two entrances to the park. The east park entrance is on Lamar Blvd., north of Braker Lane, south of Yager Lane. The north entrance is from Willow Wild Drive, a neighborhood side street that connects with Parmer Lane. Whichever entrance you choose, park in the lot near the swimming pool. Leash free area is between Old Cedar Lane, Walnut Creek & the east and west park fences この公園は広大な森の中に居るような感覚に陥ります。もちろん、遊歩道は確保されているのですが、ルートが無数にあるので、迷子にならないように注意したいものです。また、オフロード・バイクを楽しむ人が沢山居る公園なので、犬、子供は自転車にもしっかり注意して散策してください。ここもワンちゃんが遊べる川があります。
Zilker Dog Park* 2100 Barton Springs Road 512/974-6700 This dog park is not fenced. Well-behaved dogs can roam and play off-leash, but must be under verbal control and within your sight. The dog park is located in Zilker Metropolitan Zilker公園のオフリーシュゾーンは駐車場真ん中のグランド内になります。指示をしっかり聞けない犬は少し危険と思います。
オースティンの公園は平地の公園というより、トレイルの形状が多いので、一緒にハイキングを楽しむような感じが多いようです。
また、日本で言ういわゆるのドックパーク（犬の社交場）は
以下の公園になります。
West Austin Park & Wading Pool
ここは私は行った事が無いのですが、のんびりした雰囲気がとっても良さそうです。
I35から見えるドックパークです。都会派の犬が集まっています。
オースティンからは少し離れているのですが、広々としていて、
アジリティーもいくつかあり、大きな木が木陰を作ってくれるので、夏の暑い日でも
犬を遊ばせやすいです。
比較的新しく、しっかりと、小型犬、中型犬、全部の犬と3つのエリアに分かれており、
アジリティーもあるのですが、木が少なく、木陰が少ないのが玉に瑕です。夏の夕方は蚊が多いので要注意ですが、
見た事もない珍しい犬種が沢山現れる楽しい公園です。
ここも新しいドックパークで、木陰の多い平地歩きエリアと、人工池エリアの２つに別れています。
水遊びした犬を、車に乗り込む前にサッと洗える水洗いエリアがあるのがうれしい特徴です。