Dog Walkers in East Oak Hill

Westgate is a predominantly residential neighborhood with a commercial area on its northern border, located southwest of Austin’s central business district. The commercial area includes the Westgate Shopping Center and there are grocery stores, coffee shops, dollar stores, and many other shops and services. Several schools, a greenbelt, and a park are also walkable. 

Westgate’s climate provides warm walkable weather throughout the year with mild winters and hot summers. Fall and spring are usually sunny and warm and provide perfect weather for a stroll with your dog. Winters are mild and neighborhood pooches enjoy walking with their people all year around. Summer heat can be an issue as daytime temperatures are uncomfortable for activities like hiking. Austin dog owners tend to go out early or later in the day. Summer storms are also an issue as severe storms can be dangerous for on foot travel. Check forests to avoid inclement weather.

The Williamson Creek and ravine flows through the neighborhood roughly east to west and create a greenway in the area. There are some apartment complexes in the region, but most of the community is made up of single-family homes. Residences are on large, well landscaped lots with spacious lawns and huge shade trees.  Not all residential roads have sidewalks lining them which means pedestrians sometimes have to share the road with local traffic. 

Most of the neighborhood is flat with decent sightlines and the area is quiet, so this is usually not problematic. Some gentle inclines in the community do not require overexertion from pet owners and their pups on daily walks.

The Williamson Creek greenway transects the neighborhood and there are natural trails in the areas. When flash floods occur, the unmaintained trails around the creek can be hazardous with trails washed out and high water in the creek, so be careful when using this greenway. 

A short trip north takes Westgate residents and their pups to the Barton Creek Park and Greenbelt. The greenbelt features a trail that loops around the green space and along the creek. When the creek is high, natural swimming holes are formed and accessible from the trail. On a hot Austin summer day, early in the year, these swimming holes are a great way to cool off on a walk!