A Day and Evening at the Springs
Friday, July 14 (Rain date: July 21)
Barton Springs Pool, Picnic, and The Wizard of Oz at Zilker Hillside Theater
Outing Leader/RSVP: MarilynF
Who TOWNies and partners, friends, children, husbands, etc.
What Swim, soak, snack, soak, swim, and watch the Wizard of Oz stage show
Where Meet in the Main Parking Lot of Barton Springs Pool, Robert E. Lee Blvd., 78704,
When 10 AM-10 PM, roughly (the Hillside Theater play starts at 8:15 pm)
Bring Towel, swimsuit, blanket to sit on, or short-legged folding chair/beach chair, ice chest to leave in car, lunch money, sunscreen, sun hat, sandals, float, mask/snorkel, maybe a light sweater (haha), snacks or sandwiches or snack bar dinner, money, water or soft drink for evening. Change of clothes, if desired.
Please also bring your pool admission: See the fees here, https://austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool
There is no fee for parking until Friday evening.
The Zilker Hillside Theater is always crowded, and we may have to take turns holding some space and dunking in the water.
Do not bring Glass containers or pets, and do not bring food into the swimming pool area. There is no smoking anywhere in the Park
Please read the Park and Theater rules:
https://austintexas.gov/page/attending-outdoor-theater
Once we are together, we’ll have some choices:
- take a peek at the Eliza Spring “daylighting” project, an effort to increase the quality of Barton Springs Salamander habitat in nearby Eliza Springs by opening up to sunlight the channel through which Eliza Spring water enters the pool.
- We also can go through the “Splash into Barton Springs” exhibit in the 1930’s era bathhouse.
Then we’ll go into the pool at the main gate and probably walk around to the lovely south side of the Pool, where there is lots of shade. The native plantings, ligustrum removal, and gorgeous stone walkway and reflective area is also on the South. We will have a good vantage point for the best people-viewing in the city. Or we can stay on the North shore.
The snack bar on the North side of the Pool has hot dogs, sodas, great lemonade, and a patio area for eating.
We will start setting up our blankets at the Theater around 6pm, taking turns going back to splash in the water for cooling.
The Zilker Hillside Theater is another “happening” place, though it can be hard to manage going to a show due to limited space and parking, not to mention the heat. By being in the Park early and frequently dipping in the cold water, we can overcome those issues.
Please DO carpool, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready for a relaxing day in the best spot in town.