Mabel Davis District Park — Attraction in Austin

While at the park with my kids , i sat on a park bench facing the opposite direction from my kids . Within minutes a druggy came from out the bushes to lure them into the bushes with him. Im disappointed i let me guard down due to the fact there was a staff operating the pool and many adults in the skating ramps. I had my head phones on listening to a audio book. Thank God my intuition told me to turn around. I walked over to interrupt their interaction and i told my kids its time to go. When i walked up the guy was silent and i asked my kids what was he talking about and the guy said “ i asked them if they seen my wife” which was very confusing because of the fact that there was over 30 adults through out the park but he choose the ask kids. To mention i was only a few feet away from my kids with my back turned. No other words where needed for me to use my best judgement and gtf from around there before i became upset. Moral of the story please watch your kids or women...

This park used to be a landfill and they (who are they? I want to shake their hands!) have really worked hard to turn it into something quite beautiful. So grateful for the work put into it. I go for a walk in the wooded area nearly every day and it brings me so much joy and serenity. The wildflowers were off the chain this year! They also have a small playground and a basketball court. If you walk the entire loop, it's 1 mile. Now, there is a homeless population I've noticed when I've gone off trail in the forest to the left if entering from Catalina, but I have not had any negative or unsafe experiences personally and it doesn't bother me. The pond is the thing that I feel could use some help. It is often littered with trash. I'll see about organizing...

The skatepark here is really nice and has elements for different skill levels, but they don't have readily available bathrooms unless the pool is open, which it rarely ever is. There are a couple of portable toilets on site, but between the heat and the lack of cleanliness I wouldn't go near them or allow my children to. There's a small playground near the back, that's entertaining for small children (ages 2-5), but it leaves much to be desired for bigger kids. There are a couple of basketball courts that are in good condition, though they would do well to build cover to block some of the sunlight (gets too hot for small children). The trail is pretty nice too, and you might see a few deer during your jog. Bring bug...