Central allandale By Jackie Potts

Shady Hollow

On a summer afternoon in Shady Hollow you can find children playing basketball in their nicely landscaped front yard or an elderly man taking his dogs for a walk. Debbie Peterson and her family have lived in South Austin since 1981. They decided to move into a neighborhood close to good schools, with large trees and a "small-town feel to it." They found all this in Shady Hollow.

"I love Shady Hollow," said Peterson, treasurer of the long established Shady Hollow Homeowners Association board. "We've got great neighbors, a good swim team and lots of opportunities for people to get involved in activities throughout the year." Residents can stay involved in their neighborhood by reading their monthly issue of the Shady Hollow Highlights. The June 2004 six page newsletter includes short articles of volunteer projects preformed by Boy and Girl Scouts in the neighborhood, services that area residents provide the community, advertisements of nearby businesses, and upcoming events.

Shady Hollow is in Southern Travis County and straddles Brodie Lane. El Dorado Trail marks the southern border, Squirrel Hollow is the northern border and Doe Run marks the eastern border. The west side of the subdivision borders on Lost Oasis Hollow.

Alice Niven with JB Goodwin Realtors said Shady Hollow is an established neighborhood built in the early 1980s that remains popular because of its large front and back yards, huge shady trees and proximity to good schools and Austin's metropolitan area.

"It's a good, family neighborhood," said Niven, who has sold homes in the neighborhood since 1986. "It sells well because of the schools - especially Bowie, which is a Blue Ribbon School." Students in Shady Hollow attend the new Baranoff Elementary School, Bailey Middle School and Bowie High School.

Some of the older homes are on larger lots ranging from 125 feet by 175 feet to 205 feet by 202 feet. The rest of the homes are on lots about 60 feet by 125 feet. Prices on homes in Shady Hollow can range from $170,000 to $370,000.

Most homes have three or four bedrooms, although some have five bedrooms. Most have two or three bathrooms. They mainly have his and hers walk-in closets, skylights and baths with cultured marble. Kitchens have Formica or tile. Most homes have two living areas, although a few have as many as four living areas. Shady Hollow is only expanding with new homes being built in the quiet family neighborhood as well.

Peterson said the community center and pool are the focal point of the neighborhood. Many youngsters are on the neighborhood swim team. The community center is also the gathering point for events such as the 4th of July parade, the Memorial Day celebration, Easter egg hunt, scouting and Fall Fajita Fest.

"Neighbors are great," Peterson said. "They are willing to get involved in events and help you out. It really feels like a community." Peterson, who has children in Bowie and Bailey, said the nearby schools also help foster that sense of community. "When you go to open house at school, you see people you know who are your neighbors," she said.

Peterson said neighbors are also good about attending neighborhood association meetings and learning about issues affecting Shady Hollow. The issues of rodent and vector control in the neighborhood are current issues of concern. Brodie Lane is the only major artery into Shady Hollow. Motorists can get to MoPac Boulevard or Interstate 35 via Slaughter Lane. Or they can drive farther north on Brodie to reach William Cannon Drive or U.S. 290/Texas 71.

Schools Austin Independent School District Baranoff Elementary School Bailey Middle School Bowie High School

Amenities Circle C Metropolitan Park

Resources Search articles mentioning Shady Hollow in the Austin American-Statesman's archives. Find area restaurants on Austin360

Zone: South/Southwest

Zip Code 78748 (primary)

Demographic profiles for other zip codes:

The community center and pool are the focal point of the neighborhood. Many youngsters are on the neighborhood swim team. The community center is also the gathering point for events such as the 4th of July parade, the Memorial Day celebration, Easter egg hunt, scouting and Fall Fajita Fest.