Splash Station, Cleburne

One of our summer traditions is a day or weekend trip to the cute little town of Cleburne.  After a full morning of hiking around the botanical gardens at Winston Patrick McGregor Park, walking around the Johnson County Courthouse Square, eating, browsing and eating some more, we were ready to cool off at the town’s swimming pool and waterpark, Splash Station.

  The Splash Station was affordable, at $6 a person.  It wasn’t very crowded, and we were easily able to find a shady place to put down our things.  Splash Station consist of 2 large pool areas, one with play structures and slides and another for swimming. A zero depth entry, with lots of water sprayers, leads into the pool and play structure. I finally got a chance to really try out my new Ricoh Adventure camera.  It’s water resistant, so I was able to keep it with me the entire day.  We had lots of fun trying to catch some action shots on the slides. LOVE these little swings for the youngest pool guest! My older kids enjoyed the two slides, but my six year old wasn’t tall enough for the minimum 48″ height. There is also a short lazy river which is anything but lazy!  The rapidly moving current made circling around fun, and you even had to watch out for a small rapid!  The pool doesn’t allow any tubes or floation devices, other than US Coast Guard approved life jackets.   The second, Olympic size swimming pool offers swimming in 3′ – 5′ of water.  The deeper water was roped off for a diving board and a rock climbing wall.  My kids enjoyed the rock climbing wall, because once you reached the top they could just fall backwards into the water!  Life jackets are not allowed on the rock climbing wall or diving board.

• No outside food or drinks are allowed, but you are allowed to come and go, so you can pack a lunch to eat in Hulen Park.
• A concession stand offers hot dogs, nachos, etc.
• There was plenty of shaded seating.

For more information on Splash Station, and to visit their website, please click HERE.

Hulen Park  The Splash Station sits next to Hulen Park, which has a playground, 2 tennis courts, and a walking path. A large picnic pavilion, as well as picnic tables scattered around the park, offer a nice place for a picnic.  The pavilion can be rented January – November.  Hulen Park host the annual event, Whistle Stop Lights in the Park each December, when the park is illuminated with millions of lights.  For more information on this event, click HERE. Hulen Park sits on the shores of Buffalo Creek, and I appreciated that the playground is fenced off, to keep little kids from wandering away.   Steam Engine 3417 is a permanent display in Hulen Park, paying homage to Cleburne’s railroad heritage on the Santa Fe railroad.  Amtrak still has a stop in Cleburne on their Texas Eagle line, which travels as far East as Marshal and West as El Paso.  Click HERE to visit the Amtrak website and more information.

This Buffalo stands to represent Buffalo Creek, which runs through the park.  Long before settlers came to Cleburne, Buffalo Creek was a water source for roaming buffalo herds and local Indians, and later cow herds crossed on part of the famed Chisholm Trail.

Buffalo Creek recently made the news.  A couple of local boys were fishing and caught a 6 foot alligator in the creek about a mile from the park.  Although alligators are native to this part of the state, it was very unexpected to find one in the creek.  On our visit, we were greeted by several ducks and some huge, soft-shelled turtles, but not a single gator.

Things To Do in Cleburne

 

Play

In the beginning of the 20th century, Andrew Carnegie built 1689 libraries across the country, believing that having access to a library was one of the contributing factors to his success and wanting to help those who help themselves.  There were 34 built in Texas, and only a few now still standing.  The Cleburne Carnegie Library, completed in 1905, now houses the Layland Museum.  The museum, which is FREE to the public, offers exhibits on life in early Johnson county.

Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum –  FREE

Located on the shores of the Nolan River and the historic Chisholm Trail, the museum offers guest a glimpse into life in the wild west!  View a frontier school house, jail, working blacksmith shop, Plains Indian teepee and much more.  Enjoy walking along the trails or just catch up on your reading while the kids play!  Click HERE to read more.

Mainstay Farms

This working Christmas Tree Farm has seasonal hours from October through December.  My kids LOVE the huge treehouse, tractor rides, games, hay barn, goats and so much more!  Click HERE to read more.

Eat

The Cleburne courthouse square that surrounds the Johnson County Courthouse, which was built in 1913.  The square boast some terrific antique stores and boutiques, as well as a fun western wear store.  We walked down Caddo to the Burger Bar, which may be one of the smallest restaurants we’ve ever seen, but the burgers are one of the BEST!  Click HERE to read more about it.

 

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Splash Station  

1010 Hillsboro St, Cleburne

Click HERE to visit their website.    

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Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun! 

Michelle 

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