By Karima Ashinhurst
As a Realtor with Coldwell Banker United, Cecilia Roberts not only sells homes in Block House Creek - she lives in one. In fact, she and her family were one of the first residents to move into the community when it opened for homeowners in 1983. Though the community was in its infancy ("there was a hole in the ground for the pool"), Roberts was impressed by the potential of Block House Creek, a potential that is now almost fully realized.
Block House Creek, named after the waterway that runs through the community, is within 20 houses of being fully built out, Roberts says. At build out, Block House Creek will be home to approximately 2,200 residences. In addition to the namesake creek, and attendant greenbelt, Roberts says that Block House Creek features "every amenity that you could possibly want." The community is home to five parks (for residents' useonly) that are maintained by the Block House Municipal Utility District (MUD), of which Roberts is vice president. The jewel of Block House Creek is the 21-acre Tumlinson Park, home to a beach-entry pool with water slide, and Walker House.
W alker House, which is available for residents to reserve, is located on the site of the former Walker Ranch. Apache Park features a year-round heated pool, home base of the community swim team, the Tidal Waves. Between them, the parks at Block House Creek feature lighted tennis, basketball and skate courts, hike-and-bike trails, ball fields and even a dirt-bike jump.
Homes in Block House Creek range in size from approximately 1,100 to 2,800 square feet, Roberts says, and are priced from about $100,000 to upward of $180,000. The houses were built over a nearly 20-year time period, from 1983 to the present, which gives the community a varied look and feel.
B lock House Creek, which counts U.S. 183, a major Austin-area thoroughfare, as one of its borders, is far from remote. The neighborhood is becoming more centrally located everyday. Roberts remembers when residents had to go six miles to get to the nearest convenience store. These days, shopping of all kinds is only a stone's throw away from the community's entrance.
Block House Creek Elementary, part of the exemplary Leander Independent School District, is on-site. The remaining schools that serve the community are Artie Henry Middle and Vista Ridge High schools.
S o what else attracts newcomers to this pioneering master-planned community? Roberts has no trouble making a list: "reasonable, affordable housing with awesome amenities, heavily treed parks, the greenbelt, the creeks, and the schools." Roberts predicts that, with the opening of a planned extension to U.S. 183, even the traffic will improve. Roberts says Block House Creek has something a little more intangible to offer, as well. "When I drive in, I feel safe," she says. "I feel home. I feel like it's a community."
Schools
Block House Creek Elementary
Artie Henry Middle
Vista Ridge High
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Amenities
Block House Municple Utility District Web Site
General Park and Recreational Information
Tumlinson Park
Walker House
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Resources
Search articles mentioning
Barton Hills in the Austin
American-Statesman's archives.
Find area restaurants on Austin360
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Zone: NW
MLS Area: LN
Zip Code(s): 78641
Zip Code 78641
Demographic Profile
Population:
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33,775
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Avg HH Size:
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2.97
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Median HH Income:
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$64,068
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Median Age
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32.8
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% Married:
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69%
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% of HHs with Children:
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49%
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% with College Degree:
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26%
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% Owner Occupied Housing
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89%
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Median House Value
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$131,015
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Source: Claritas 2006
Tumlinson Park offers residents a range of activities, from community events to private parties. It includes playscapes, skate areas, courts for tennis or basketball, a baseball field, nature and jogging trails and a bike MX track. Tumlinson Pool features a slide and a splash structure. Comanche Park has four acres at the entrance to Block House Creek with trails and a scenic view. Tonkawa Park is a 14-acre park under planning for baseball fields.
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