Outdoors: Central Texas parks

Central Texas is sprinkled with trails for walking, running, hiking and biking. Some parks offer swimming, boating and disc golf.

Because of drought, a burn ban is in effect. An updated map of counties currently under a burn ban and what restrictions may apply can be found online at tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/DecBan.png .

For information about Austin parks, call the Austin Parks and Recreation Department at 974-6700. For a complete list of Austin's parks, visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/parkdirectory.htm .

For information about Travis County parks, call 854-7275 or visit www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks .

For information about state parks, call 389-8950 or 800-792-1112 or visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us .

Austin metropolitan parks

Butler. Twenty-one acres with walking trails, a pond and a splash pad. 1000 Barton Springs Road.

Circle C Ranch. Park's 572 acres include an 18-basket disc golf course, seven soccer fields, basketball court, two volleyball courts and 6.2 miles of trails. 6301 W. Slaughter Lane.

Commons Ford Ranch. Formerly a working ranch; trails on 211 acres and lake access at the north end (swimming prohibited); 2,500-square-foot ranch house available for events. 614 N. Commons Ford Road. 974-6797.

Emma Long. Sport boat ramps, camping, swimming, volleyball and several miles of trails along 1,109 acres of Lake Austin. 1600 City Park Road. $5-$15. 346-1831.

Mary Moore Searight. Hike-and-bike and horseback trails, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, disc golf, barbecue pits, playground and fishing. 907 W. Slaughter Lane.

Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park. Four baseball fields, 12 softball fields, three volleyball courts, 4 miles of trails, playgrounds, picnic tables on 399 acres. 400 Grove Blvd.

Walnut Creek. Popular with mountain bikers, the 290-acre park offers 15 miles of trails, basketball and volleyball courts, five softball fields and plenty of space for picnicking. 12138 N. Lamar Blvd.

Walter E. Long. Encompasses Lake Walter E. Long, with fishing, boating and volleyball. 6620 Blue Bluff Road. $8 admission. 926-5230.

Zilker.Park on 304 acres is home to Barton Springs Pool connects to Lady Bird Lake trails and the Barton Creek greenbelt; canoeing, concessions, disc golf, train rides and volleyball. 2100 Barton Springs Road. $3 parking. 472-4914.

Austin district parks

Balcones. Woodsy acreage above Walnut Creek, with basketball and volleyball facilities. 12017 Amherst Drive.

Bartholomew. Forty-nine acres just north of 51st Street, including a splash pad, disc golf, ball courts, playground and picnic area. 5201 Berkman Drive.

Beverly S. Sheffield. Thirty-one acres along Shoal Creek with a variety of amenities. 7000 Ardath St.

Bull Creek. Forty-eight acres at the base of the Bull Creek greenbelt. Picnicking and 2 miles of trails available. All animals must be on a leash. 6701 Lakewood Drive.

Davis-White Northeast. Twenty acres include basketball and volleyball courts, picnic shelters, playground and off-leash dog area. 6705 Crystalbrook Drive.

Dick Nichols. Pool, hike-and-bike trails, ball courts and several barbecue pits. 8011 Beckett Road.

Dittmar. Basketball, volleyball, recreation center, walking trails, playground, picnic tables, barbecue pits, pool on 33 acres. Closed on weekends. 1009 W. Dittmar Road.

Dove Springs. Ball fields, basketball, volleyball, tennis, hike-and-bike trails, playground, picnic tables, barbecue pits, pool on 72 acres. 5801 Ainez Drive.

Garrison. Shaded park with a jogging trail, baseball fields, basketball courts, picnic tables, barbecue pits and a seasonal swimming pool. 6001 Manchaca Road.

Givens. Forty-one acres just east of Airport Boulevard. Lighted basketball courts and softball fields allow play past twilight. 3811 E. 12th St.

Mabel Davis. Skate park, Olympic-size pool, basketball court and trails. 3427 Parker Lane.

Pease. Popular site for festivals includes 28 picnic tables, playground equipment, a splash pad, ball courts. 1100 Kingsbury St.