The Natural Beauty of San Gabriel Park

 

San Gabriel Park is a beautiful, fun-filled feather in Georgetown’s cap. I would even go so far as to say it’s one of the crown jewels of our community that makes Georgetown real estate stand out from other communities. The park is a well-loved hot bed of community and family activity including bike riding, walking/jogging, bird watching, rodeos, fishing, swimming, and even community gardening!

The Park itself is surrounded by a 1.7 mile granite trail loop, which winds its way in and out of oaks and cypress, around baseball and soccer fields, and along the peacefully flowing San Gabriel River. The park is peppered with playgrounds for kids of all ages and families make good use of the picnic tables and barbecue pits sprinkled along the river.

Georgetown's Community Garden

One of my favorite things about the park is the Sunken Garden next to the community center. The garden has been there since the 70s and is maintained entirely by volunteers. If you are looking for the perfect way to spend the weekend, either to unwind alone, or with your family in tow – spending a few hours volunteering in the garden surrounded by the smell of flours and the sound of birds singing in the morning sun, followed by an hour or so fishing in the San Gabriel, and ending with a hike or bike down the Randy Morrow Trail is unbeatable. If you are interested in volunteering in the garden, you can contact Heather Brewer McFarling at (512) 930-6113 or at heather.brewer@georgetown.org. The Georgetown Garden Club has gardening opportunities year round!

The Randy Morrow Trail begins where the San Gabriel Loop Trail ends and where the San Gabriel River forks, following the north fork of the river. At the beginning of the trail, all sorts of waterfowl congregate and many parents bring their children here to ‘ooh’ and ‘aww’ at the birds. Just over 6.5 miles long, the Randy Morrow Trail leads to Lake Georgetown, where it connects to the lake trail. The Randy Morrow Trail goes through Rivery Park and Chandler Park and has designated stargazing and bird watching points near the lake. My dog and I go running here often and I love taking her past the springs and along the river, especially north of North Cross Road, which I find to be a particularly lovely part of the river.

Today as I was walking up to the Randy Morrow Trail head in San Gabriel Park, I ran into a couple of families about to hit the trail. With five children and one husband in tow, friends Brenda Magid and Kathy Ellerbeck were gearing up for a two-mile bike ride. “I used to run as the kids rode their bikes with me,” says Brenda, “But now they are too fast for that!” Brenda and Kathy have been coming to San Gabriel Park with their families for years. “When the kids were young, we used to come and lay on a blanket and feed the ducks, then we graduated to the play ground, and now the bikes!” says Brenda of San Gabriel Park. It’s always nice to meet a fellow park lover.

The pristine outdoor landscapes of San Gabriel Park really contribute a unique value to Georgetown real estate.  It just makes life here more enjoyable.  It’s really that simple.  And if you aren’t taking advantage of this wonderful park and network of trails – there’s no better time to start than fall when the weather is cooling. If you need a running buddy – just call me!