You step outside and take a deep breath. The warm morning air sweetly greets you with a whiff of lilac. Your eyes follow a young squirrel up a tree where you notice, for the first time, small green buds at the tips of its barren branches. You smile. Spring has arrived.
As a college student, it is easy to stay cooped up inside and miss some of the beauty this new season has to offer. So below are seven ways that you can get outdoors this spring, even for a short study break.
Hit Up The Park
Nothing screams “outdoors” more than a trip to one of Austin’s many parks, but if you’re a busy college student, you don’t have time to drive all over town to find one. Not to fear, Pease Park is here! This 84-acre greenbelt, located just a short walk west of campus, features open fields, shady picnic spots, wooden play structures, and a winding hike and bike trail that follows Shoal Creek all the way to Lady Bird Lake. This spring, the park is hosting volunteer days, yoga classes, and Austin’s 57th annual celebration of Eeyore’s Birthday. The park was originally founded in 1875 by Mr. and Mrs. Pease – former Governor and first lady of Texas. Since then, it has continued to evolve and provide an enjoyable space for the Austin community.
Garden
Gardening is a great way to get outside, get your hands dirty, and gain valuable self-sufficient skills. But if you’re like me, and only have a small sun-deprived balcony, you may think that gardening is not in your future. Think again!
There are currently two organizations at UT that provide students with opportunities to work in gardens both on and off campus. The first group, UT Farmstand, manages multiple gardens near the Jester and Kinsolving dormitories. In these spaces you will find raised beds, composting piles, a solar powered hydroponics system and a towering rainwater tank. Aside from running the gardens, this organization hosts bi-weekly markets on campus offering fresh produce from local farms. Students can volunteer to both work in the gardens and sell produce. Check their website for details.
If you want to venture off campus, head to UT Micro Farm, a fifth-acre urban farm at the Whitaker IM Fields. On this plot of land, students are invited to plant, harvest, compost, weed, mulch and engage in discussion on horticulture-related topics. Volunteer days take place every Sunday from 10:30-12:30. No sign-up required for groups of 3 or less.
Kick Around at Clark Field
If you’re into sports then head to Clark Field – the campus hub for “informal recreation”. This area consists of basketball courts, a running track and 2.3 acres of a newly finished synthetic turf. On any given day, you can find students engaged in a casual game of frisbee, football, soccer or basketball. Sports equipment is available for checkout upon presentation of your student ID.
Go for a Swim
If you’re from Texas, you know that the cool spring air can turn hot and humid in the blink of an eye. If this happens, you can still enjoy the outdoors by cooling off in the pools at Gregory Gym. The outside portion of the aquatics complex offers twelve 25-yard lap lanes, one 5,600 square-foot leisure pool, one event pool and a spa. As with Clark FIeld, aquatic equipment is available at the front desk upon presentation of student ID.
Fly a Kite
Want to relive the good old kite flying days of your childhood? Head to Zilker Park on Sunday April 3rd for the ABC Kite Festival. Every year since 1929, thousands of kite-flyers have gathered on the green lawn to show off their kites, trade tips and compete in contests ranging from highest flying to most unusual kite design. It’s free to join and anyone can participate but even if you don’t take home a medal, you’re sure to leave with a healthy dose of wholesome nostalgic fun.
Run
Sometimes getting outdoors is quite simple: Run. Some love it, others hate it, but we can all agree that running is a simple way to get some fresh air and promote your health. If you need motivation, check out the Texas Running Club. This student organization meets almost every night of the week for a group run starting at Gregory Gym. Runs are free and open to all students.
After a while, you may become inspired to sign up for the Longhorn Run. Every year, thousands gather on speedway to participate in a 5K or 10K race hosted by the university. The route weaves through surrounding campus areas and ends at the main mall with an epic after party. Whether you are a student, grandparent, avid runner or casual jogger, the Longhorn Run has a spot for you. Registration is currently open for the race on Saturday, April 23rd.
Accessorize
Sometimes, to have a really great time outdoors, you need to load up on stuff. Sleeping bags, tents, binoculars, paddle boards – these are just a few examples of the selective gear that can take your outdoors experience to the next level. But where can you find this stuff? And what if you don’t have the money or space to buy it? Lucky for you, the Outdoor Center located in Gregory Gym has got you covered. Here, students can rent a wide variety of equipment for up to eight days at a very reasonable rate. Simply visit the Outdoor Center during operating hours to reserve, pay for and pick up your equipment. The knowledgeable staff can explain how to use their equipment and even offer practical tips and advice for your outdoor adventure
The Great Outdoors
There is something special about the outdoors. It reconnects us with nature, rejuvenates us with sunshine and provides us with a space to create memories that last a lifetime. As a student, it can be challenging to step away from our studies and spend time outside, but I hope these ideas help you to get started. So enjoy the weather, soak up the adventure and remember there is no better time to experience life than now.
