Katherine Fleischer Park in Wells Branch Community Center

August 19, 2009 by Julia
Filed under Austin (north), Featured, parks

staired club house in playground

Katherine Fleischer Park is simply awesome. It is in the heart of the Wells Branch Community near Wells Branch and IH-35. The parks, trails, pools, rec center, and sports activities are all under the Wells Branch MUD, and Katherine Flesischer might just be the very best park in the far north Austin area that borders Pflugerville and Round Rock.

Wells Branch is one of north Austin’s oldest master-planned communities, and though the homes that surround Katherine Fleischer park are showing their age, they are nonetheless well maintained as are the parks. The network of parks, green spaces, trails, and sporting courts and fields is fairly extensive. We came to Katherine Fleischer Park this past weekend after lunch, and though it was already scorching hot outside, the kids were able to play comfortably as there are large shade trees around the playground.

larger playscape

smaller playscape

As with most area parks, there are two playscapes, one designed for older kids and one for toddlers and preschoolers. My preschooler could have cared less about the playscapes. There was a big, wooden, whimsical play house complete with staircase and speaker tubes, and we spent most of our time at the play house. Immediately adjoining the playhouse is a setup of “water” troughs that the toddler spent all his time dumping buckets of sand. Right in the center of the playground is a covered gazebo with picnic tables, and because of the gazebo placement, parents can see kids from all directions. There are also two sets of swings.

One of the Wells Branch community pools is immediately adjacent to the playground. Unlike some community playgrounds where the restrooms by the pools are behind key-access gates for HOA members only, there are two restrooms outside of the pool right near the playground.

heritage homestead

About 200 feet away from the playground, on the other side of the pool, is an area of heritage homes and relics of pioneer days, The Wells Branch Homestead “Frontier Life.” Tours may be scheduled with the curators 8 months out of the year for a small fee. The Homestead has a covered wagon, smoke house, staged home, and syrup making area for children to experience. Without a scheduled tour, the home is padlocked though kids can still peek into the windows and look inside.

This is just an all around great park. Be sure to bring some water and snacks. There are no concessions, though you are only a short drive away from many restaurants near Parmer and I-35. The park also hosts concerts so check our calendar as we post the concert dates.

The Wells Branch Community Center may be rented for events whether one lives outside or in the MUD.

Katherine Fleischer Park
2106 Klattenhoff Dr.
Austin, TX 78728

This review is dedicated in memory of my Science Olympiad student Sean Yusran (2002, a bright young mind and Eagle Scout) who often played basketball at this park. You are still missed.