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Zilker Metropolitan Park is a recreational area in the heart of south Austin (near Barton Springs Pool and Town Lake) that comprises over 350 acres (1.4 km²) of publicly owned land. It is named after its benefactor Andrew Jackson Zilker, who donated the land to the city in 1917. It was developed into the park, despite the Great Depression, in the 1930's. The park serves as a hub for recreational activities and trails which extend outward from the park around Town Lake and throughout much of the rest of the city. The park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on 1997.

Attractions within the park include:

• Barton Springs pool
• Zilker Botanical gardens
• The Zilker Zephyr miniature train
• Zilker Hillside Theater
• Umlauf Sculpture Garden
• Zilker soccer and volleyball fields
• Zilker polo field
• Nature Center
• Numerous historical markers and sites, concession stands, and picnic areas.

Events:

• Zilker Park Kite Festival
• Austin City Limits Music Festival
• Annual Rugby Tournament
• Zilker Gardens Festival
• Ballet in the Park
• Blues on the Green
• Freedom Festival and Fireworks
• Zilker Park Fall Jazz Festival
• Zilker Park Tree Lighting and Trail of Lights
• Austin Shakespeare Festival
• Annual Summer Musical (broadway musical) in the park
• Barton Springs diving championship

[edit] External links

• City of Austin - Parks and Recreation Department: Zilker Metropolitan Park
• Austin's Zilker Park
• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 30.26650° -97.77050°
  • Street map from Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
  • Satellite image from Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth