Summary
Franklin Park is a quiet, low-income neighborhood with very affordable housing. The neighborhood does not have many local restaurants or businesses; most of the area is low-rent apartments, small but well-kept homes, and commercial buildings and warehouses.
The neighborhood is fairly close to downtown and the University of Texas, so some students do live here. A notable feature of the neighborhood is the large state park that borders the eastern side. It offers opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and nature walking.
Features
Franklin Park is a place to find very affordable housing or low-rent
apartments. The neighborhood lacks the amenities and entertainment
options found in other neighborhoods. But the area is quiet and, for
southeast Austin, relatively safe. The neighborhood has many modest,
ranch-style homes with good-sized front and back yards.
The western section of the neighborhood borders I-35 and contains apartment complexes. This section is less appealing to families and has a reputation for being unsafe. It is also noisier because of the highway and the traffic coming along East Stassney Lane. But this section is closer to the shopping centers and retail stores along I-35. The eastern section is residential, with bungalow-style single-family homes that are generally well-maintained.
Most residents have access to a car, because public transportation is not easily accessible, though there are public bus routes. Crossing I-35 on bike is not advisable.
The
eastern section of the neighborhood is next to McKinney Falls State
Park, where residents and visitors can enjoy 700 acres of forested
wilderness, hike or bike along the trails, camp, and fish. There is also
Franklin Neighborhood Park within the neighborhood itself that has a
basketball and volleyball court, softball field, playground, BBQ grills,
and picnic tables. Near the neighborhood are the Roy Kizer and Jimmy Clay Golf Courses and Onion Creek Park which has a small playground and hiking trails.
The
neighborhood population is largely Hispanic families, with some Caucasians,
African-Americans, and Asians. Many of the residents who have lived here for a
while form a fairly close-knit community.
Views From the Street
| Wagon Bend | Freidrich Ln. | Franklin Park Dr. and S. Pleasant Valley Rd. |
| Palo Blanco Ln. | Button Bend Rd. | Meinardus Dr. |
| Teri Rd. |
Facts and Figures
Community Information
ShoppingReal Estate and Apartments
Franklin Park has mostly bungalow-style homes, priced in the low $100K range. Some are in the $60K range. Most have two or three bedrooms and were built in the 1970s and 1980s.
Franklin Park, Austin, Texas
Zip code: 78744