We’re back in the Four Points area of Austin this morning talking about the playground and pools in Steiner Ranch’s Bella Mar neighborhood. I had fun changing things up a bit the past couple of days dishing on the #Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Don’t wait too long if you haven’t snagged some deals because the sale ends next week. Look at Monday’s and Tuesday’s posts on what I love for moms and what your kids need for ideas.
Oh, Bella Mar, how I love you so.
When we started looking for houses in 2015, I fell in love with the Bella Mar neighborhood of Steiner Ranch. I kept coming across beautiful photos of their parks, trails, playgrounds, and of course their pools. Steiner Ranch didn’t work for my husband’s commute, but after we moved to Austin I started regularly heading to this park with the kids.
Sometimes we would just hang out at the playground and sometimes I would bring the double Bob jogging stroller and get in a run (okay, more likely alternating jog/walk/short spurts of running).
For young kids, Bella Mar has it all. Although I’m not envious of the increased travel times and traffic I hear about from my Steiner friends, I am very jealous of Bella Mar. Here’s why.
8 Reasons I’m Daydreaming About Bella Mar Playground and Pool in Steiner Ranch
1. The view. Okay, most of us in northwest Austin get to enjoy the beautiful scenery that is northwest Austin. But, we don’t have this view when relaxing at the community pool.
I mean, seriously. This is just beautiful. The Bella Mar pools’ views can’t be beat.
2. The kiddie pool with splash pad. This pool is perfect for your kids who know how to swim (or can comfortably maneuver on their own in puddle jumpers).
There are tons of pipes and tipping buckets that entertain this age of child for a long time. I can’t even imagine being able to just pop into this pool on a daily basis. My kids would get so worn out and take long naps and sleep through the night every night … and my world would be perfect. 😉
3. The separate toddler pool. Most of the pools we’ve been to this summer have the toddler pool connected to the main swimming pool. I love that here the pool is completely separate because it allows your youngest children to play without worrying they’re going to jump over the separating edge into the “big” pool at any moment. Instead, I can stand between the splash pad area and the toddler pool and keep an eye on both kids (who also enjoy the time playing on their own).
4. The “hang-out” pool area next to the splash pad. I think this is genius.
Instead of having to awkwardly sit or stand at the edge of the splash pad (getting completely soaked without being able to fully immerse in the water), I can stand in chest deep water next to the kids and actually enjoy the pool myself. It reminds me a nice resort.
5. The playground. So, you are supposed to actually be Steiner Ranch residents to access the pool but anyone can access the playground.
The Bella Mar playground is similar to Towne Square’s playground down the road, but it is in better shape. I also think the equipment offers a bit more for the older kids at Bella Mar.
There’s nothing too unique, but you’ll find swings, slides, tunnels, bridges, and the like.
Plus, as I’ve noted before (like at El Salido Playground or Elizabeth Milburn Playground) I love it when the younger kids have a separate play area so they can confidently climb up and run around it on their own.
6. The Junior Olympic Pool (and the 100 feet separating it from the other kid areas). The pristine Junior Olympic pool is where Steiner Ranch’s swim team practices. I was a competitive swimmer growing up so I have a major crush on this awesome pool.
But, as a mom, I mostly love the fact that my kids aren’t interfering with serious swimmers while we’re at the pool. At our neighborhood pool, I’m constantly reminding Foster to avoid swimming in front of the man in the one lane of the pool designated as the lap area. Yes, Foster has the whole pool to play in but still manages to interfere with any and everyone trying to get in a serious workout. At Bella Mar, there’s no chance of that happening. See, look how cute they are (and how far they are from the lap swimmers).
7. Ample shaded seating areas. Too often there are just a handful of umbrellas that all the moms at pools fight over. Here, there are tons. Plus, there are lots of tables that make snack time easy.
8. Clean and (mostly dry) bathrooms. Community pool bathrooms are usually ones I avoid. Here, though, there wasn’t an ick factor. Beware, though, you can only access the bathroom from inside the gated pool area. If you’re at the playground and aren’t a Steiner resident with a key fob and can’t find a nice person to let you in, you might be jumping in your car to drive to Cups and Cones down the road.
So, there are my 8 reasons I’m dreaming about Bella Mar at night. And I love that I was able to combine a Playgrounds & Four Points Mom post with a Four Points Mom & Pools & Splash Pads post. Laziness wins again.
Also, nobody’s asking me, but I think offering a reasonably-priced membership to the pool for a few interested parties (ahem, over here) would be a great idea for Steiner Ranch. Since that’s currently not the case we non-Steiner Four Pointers will just have to suck up to our Steiner friends and hope they invite us back for a play date. Just kidding … unless you want to go back Erin. Just sayin’. 😉
[fblike]
