Seiders Springs Park

After living in and exploring Austin for 25 years, I thought I was pretty well versed in all the centrally-​located public nature spaces our fair city has to offer, but today I experienced a new one. Hiding in plain sight right across the street from my lady parts doc office (hi there, Women Partners in Health) and surrounded by the huge Seton Hospital complex sits Seiders (pronounced «cedars») Springs Park. Turns out, the 4 acre park has a colorful history and it serves as the northern-​most entrance into one of our most interesting trail systems, the Shoal Creek Greenbelt.
The park is named for a pioneer family who first settled here in the mid-​1800s and the springs of the park name are still flowing today, although the historical marker is about all that’s left of the original settlers. Austin historians note that General Custer and possibly even Robert E Lee once camped at this spot with their troops. At one time a bit later, there was even a «healing waters» type resort right here on the banks of Shoal Creek. For more details on the history of the park, check these sources:
Today, visitors will find a concrete and gravel trail system with a couple of creek crossings, a meadow shaded with huge old oak trees (the famous Seiders Oaks), a few picnic tables, and a whimsical altar under the limestone overhang on the east side of the creek where the springs come forth. Bird watchers may sight some interesting water fowl, and fossil hunters may spot a few along the creek bed.
Take care in parking, as many of the available adjacent spaces are marked for Seton employees only with threats of towing. Some trail reports mention parking at the nearby Randall’s, but your safest bet is free on street parking in the neighborhood around 34^th near St. Andrews School or on the north side of 38^th.
A full map of the wonderful Shoal Creek Greenbelt trail system, which runs about 3.5 miles south from Seiders Springs Park all the way down through Pease Park and on to Lady Bird Lake, can be found here: