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Tag: new homes in Kyle

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Homeowner Tips Kyle Texas

Is now a good time to buy a new home in Central Texas?

It’s no secret that the Texas Hill Country has been a booming real estate scene for several years now. The growth in Austin has created a ripple effect and the outlying suburbs have also seen monumental growth with Hays County growing 53% in just the last decade. 

 

For a long time, this area was heavily a seller’s market, but industry experts are predicting a shift over the course of the next 12 months, bringing a bit more balance to the selling/buying equation. 

 

According to real estate platform Knock, the seller’s market hit its peak in April of 2022 and has been cooling off ever since. The real estate market is still hot, but buyers now have a better seat at the table, explained Knock CEO Sean Black. That’s why you no longer hear about bidding wars mere hours after a property goes on the market. “Sellers are more willing to take offers from buyers that are not asking or above,” said Black.

 

As of January 2023, the median home price in Hays County is $427,665, up 7% from last year, but still cheaper than the median home price in Austin. 

So to answer the question, is now a good time to buy a new home in Central Texas? 

Yes! And here are a few reasons why.

 

Big City Action, Small City Appeal

 

Kyle’s population is just over 51,000. This makes it a small city in the shadow of the much larger Texas capital. This isn’t a bad thing, however, on the contrary, it’s actually pretty appealing. Kyle residents don’t have to deal with the everyday traffic that comes with living in Austin, yet they’re only a half-hour’s drive if they want to head into the city for a concert or sporting event. With easy access to a major airport and the appeal of living in a smaller city, Kyle offers the best of both worlds. 

 

Jobs, Jobs, and More Jobs

 

While national news may stoke recession worries, Texans are sitting in a good spot. In fact, economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas say that the state’s strong economy puts it in a good position to weather any economic troubles. The Lone Star state led the U.S. in job growth in 2023 and Central Texas was a huge part of that. Kyle sits in an ideal location for employees who commute into Austin, and its own economy is rapidly growing in the areas of manufacturing, logistics, and business services. 

 

Affordability

 

Texas not only enjoys a strong economy but an affordability that provides a comfortable lifestyle few other states can match. Housing expenses in Kyle are lower than the national average and lower than in many other parts of Central Texas. It’s this affordability factor that contributes to the appeal of Kyle and Hays County. 

If you’re currently on the hunt for a new home in Central Texas, then you owe it to yourself to look into the available homes at Crosswinds. This master-planned community currently has a variety of homes available and ready for quick move-in. Now isn’t just a good time to buy in Central Texas, it may be the best time. Contact the Crosswinds team to get started. 

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Area Attractions

Drone Company Chooses Kyle, TX for Winter Training Site

Drones in Kyle Texas

To no one’s surprise, the city of Kyle is attracting more and more businesses in 2022. Companies love the favorable regulatory environment in Texas, the weather, the people, the cost of living, and the beautiful, historical towns and cities.

Ranitzo is yet another company that discovered Kyle as the ideal location to conduct business. Ranitzo is an Iowa-based drone developer that’s on the cutting edge of the agricultural drone industry, and they recently chose Kyle Texas’ Public Safety Training Center for their winter training operations.

Rantizo’s agricultural drones are the future of large-scale farming and land management in the U.S. These drones are designed to spray liquid or dry solutions onto crops, such as fertilizers, crop seeds, insects, and more. Because this is a newer concept, the technology is still in its developmental stages. Agriculture drone companies are still in the process of overcoming regulatory, technological, and training obstacles to bring drone tech to the forefront of farming, and moving their training program to Kyle is a great step forward for Rantizo.

The Public Safety Training Center in Kyle is a perfect option for Rantizo. Although the training center is best known for its tactical driving school and drone training for law enforcement, the administration at the training center is looking to land more commercial training programs with the successful launch of Rantizo’s winter training program.

Why Kyle is the perfect location:

There are 3 major reasons that a drone developer like Rantizo chose Kyle.

First, it solves the problem of drone complications with cold weather. Drones don’t like the cold. Cold temperatures reduce chemical activity in the Lipo batteries used in drones, and in extreme cold conditions, drones might shut down mid-flight. Considering that each of Rantizo’s T30 drones retail at over $50,000, that’s something they want to avoid.

Rantizo’s HQ in Iowa has temps that are consistently below zero during winter. Training in those temps is impossible (not to mention unpleasant for trainees and trainers alike). But for a majority of the winter months in Kyle, TX have highs in the 60’s and lows in the 40’s. Drone trainers don’t have to worry about fatal shutdowns or reduced battery life, which increases efficiency and  

Second, Kyle, TX already has flight envelopes in place at the training center and clear regulatory guidelines for drone flight. You can’t just fly drones anywhere…the FAA determines what is safe and what isn’t, and they’ve cleared Kyle’s facility for flight training. This solves a big problem for Rantizo.

Third is Kyle itself. The city is located close to two international airports, making it easy for company travel. Plus, it’s a fun city to visit or live in. Kyle is growing and with an average age of 32, it has great offerings for young to middle-aged employees during downtime between training sessions. 

More Growth To Come for Kyle

Like we mentioned above, Kyle is growing fast. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Kyle, TX grew from 39,857 to 42,706, and its median household income grew from $74,826 to $79,348.

We can only expect this trend to continue as companies like Rantizo take advantage of the incentives and benefits that Kyle offers. 

What will drive the growth trend even further is the fact that it’s also relatively easy to get people to relocate to the Austin, TX area. Its beautiful landscapes, perfect weather, and cost of living are all attractive to employees, and this is especially true in Kyle.

If you’re relocating to the Austin area like so many others these days, it’s worth taking a look at Crosswinds in Kyle, TX. Our community has beautiful, affordable homes with vibrant amenities and lifestyles that are built around your needs and wants.

Reach out to Crosswinds today to find out more about how to take advantage of this unique opportunity for you and your family.  

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Lifestyle

Kyle Local: Koy Chinese and Sushi

Kyle Local Restaurant

Looking for authentic Chinese cuisine and sushi? You can find that here in Kyle at Koy Chinese and Sushi (5695 Kyle Parkway, Ste. 800, Kyle, TX 78640). Owner Frank Lai opened Koy in Kyle when Hays County and the surrounding area were booming, in 2011.

The family has been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years. They founded the business on three things: exceptional service, being community-oriented, and delicious food.

According to Community Impact, at Koy’s beginning in 2011, there was a staff of about 10 people and as the community of Kyle saw massive population and economic growth, that growth was reflected in the success of local businesses like Koy.

All that success came to a screeching halt in 2020 when the pandemic hit. Koy had to drastically adjust its business model to keep the lights on and the sushi rolling. The restaurant suffered major setbacks, as did most businesses. Koy had to close its doors to dine-in, and the staff decreased by about half. The restaurant went from a successful, well-staffed restaurant to a small restaurant dependent on to-go orders and delivery services.

As Covid-19 precautions were gradually lifted and regular business resumed, Koy Chinese and Sushi bounced back as a local favorite for Chinese and sushi, with dine-in, to-go, and delivery options. Last October, Koy celebrated its 10th year of business.

Koy makes everything to order and fresh. Its sushi bar is overseen by a master sushi chef who prepares fresh sushi every day. You’ll find favorites such as the LA, spicy crab, California, and vegetable rolls. They also serve many favorites in Chinese cuisine such as General Tso’s chicken, beef and broccoli, cashew chicken, egg drop soup, and more.

Many customers rave about their dishes and say it’s authentic Chinese cuisine. Visit the Koy Chinese and Sushi Facebook page for some mouthwatering photos of their dishes. They also post menu updates, specials, and more, so give it a Like to stay up-to-date.

Have a hankering for other cuisines? Dripping Springs is full of a variety of cuisines. Here are some other Dripping Springs restaurants you might want to check out:

What’s your favorite restaurant in Kyle? Connect with us on social media and let us know!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions

Kyle Local: Buff City Soaps

New Buff City Soaps in Kyle

A popular soap makery has arrived in Kyle! Buff City Soaps (5401 Farm to Market 1626, Suite 310 Kyle, TX 78640) has officially opened, offering their famous line of handmade soaps and products crafted with the highest quality ingredients.

What Can You Find at Buff City Soaps in Kyle?

We’re excited to welcome Buff City Soap to Kyle. They call their store a “Makery” because all their products are created in their shops by hand.

Kyle residents and visitors will be happy to have a place in the community where you can buy soaps free of harsh chemicals and detergents. Every day, local artisans craft the brand’s delightfully-scented, plant-based soaps. Guests can also customize the scent and ingredients used in the process to create their own soap.

You’ll find many other things besides soap. They have everything from bath bombs and shower fizzies to face products and body butter, all of which make great gifts for a friend or for yourself. You can explore their products by category—they also have products for men, kids, and laundry.

Scents Worth Checking out

Go to the scents page of Buff City’s website to check out their scents with creative names and descriptions! 99 Pomlems, described as “99 problems and soap ain’t one,” features notes of lemon, pomegranate, and cream. For those days when you want to conquer your day, you might like Ferocious Beast with its cedarwood and campfire beer scents, with notes of citrus, lavender, white musk, cedarwood, and amber.

You’ll even find “Love Potion,” which blends roses and young love with notes of damask rose, peach, apple blossom, and Italian bergamot. And how could you not want to try the Unicorn with scents of fruit and magic containing notes of apple mango, passionfruit, and exotic florals?

We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to relax and smell great, too! For their latest news and specials, visit the Buff City Soap — Kyle Facebook page.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions

Kyle Local: Plum Creek Golf Course

Kyle Local: Golf

Golfers love the Kyle and the Austin, Texas, area because the weather is great for golfing almost year-round. Kyle is fortunate to have a golf course with spectacular views at Plum Creek Golf Course (4301 Benner, Kyle, TX 78640). Here’s what you’ll want to know about the Kyle golf course.

About Plum Creek Golf Course

The designers created a championship golf course in which no two fairways touch. It gives you the experience of playing your own private golf course. All 18 holes take you through a setting that reflects what makes the Hill Country memorable with its rolling hills, live oaks, and sparkling lakes. Check out the images showing the golf course to see what each hole looks like.

The course underwent a major renovation in 2012 to add a practice facility that includes 3 acres of short-game scoring areas, an acre of practice tee surface, multiple chipping greens, bunkers, uneven lie practice areas, and target greens. You have a wealth of opportunities for improving your golf game. And plenty of golf instruction is available if you’d like a helping hand from a pro. 

If you need any golf supplies, accessories, or attire, the pro shop is stocked to the gills with everything you want to enjoy golfing. This facility is also the home of the Texas State Bobcat men’s and women’s golf teams.

Other Things to Do at Plum Creek Golf Course

There’s nothing like a delicious meal after playing 18 holes or practicing your swings. Just head right over to Glenn’s Bar and Grill restaurant on the course for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks. It’s named for Glenn Evans who helped open Plum Creek Golf Course.

The restaurant underwent renovations in 2018 to add multiple beers on tap, more high-definition TVs, and brand-new furniture. Do you love to watch the big game on a big screen? Glenn’s has a 100″ projector that delivers an unbeatable game-viewing experience.

Have a celebration coming up? You can host an event, banquet, or wedding, at the facilities. The Plum Creek staff will take care of all the details including dining options. The facility is also accessible and they have rooms that can support 100 or 220 people, depending on the room you choose.

Visit the Plum Creek Golf Course Facebook page for upcoming events and updates.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Lifestyle

Kyle, Texas Restaurant Inventive Program

Texas Restaurant Inventive Program

Did you know the Kyle Economic Development Department has a restaurant incentive program? It’s a new program from the city to entice new restaurants to open in Kyle. The program has been in effect for a little over 18 months.

City Council wanted to make the city more attractive to restaurants because the population has exploded to the point that they need more food options to match the growth.

What Is the Kyle Restaurant Incentive Program?

Taking advantage of Kyle’s restaurant incentive program means the restaurant will receive a 100% sales and property tax rebate. The program is capped at three years. They’ll also receive funding provided by a Chapter 380 development agreement with the city.

What the Chapter 380 agreement does is allow cities or counties to provide incentives to commercial or retail projects to spur economic development. The restaurant business is challenging during this time, especially for new ones. With a three-year cap, it should be enough to help the business get up and running long enough to solidify before the cap ends.

Restaurants Coming to Kyle Thanks to the Restaurant Incentive Program

Z’Tejas Southwest Grill is the first restaurant to take advantage of the new program. Z’Tejas serves southwestern food such as tacos, southwestern classics like fajitas and enchiladas, soups, salads, and desserts. They have a kid’s menu available. 

Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 pm daily. Their drinks menu includes agave drinks, cocktails, tequila flights, wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks. They’re open for brunch on the weekends from 9 am to 2 pm.

The incentive also brings P. Terry’s and Torchy’s to Kyle. P. Terry’s has been working to expand throughout central Texas. The burger chain plans to open a stand on I-35 between Kohlers Crossing and Kyle Crossing. Their buildings use a theme that’s called Googie Architecture, which is a futurist architecture influenced by the Space age, atomic age, and car culture.

And Torchy’s Tacos needs no introduction as the taco chain has been a fixture in Austin for a while now. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy Torchy’s without leaving Kyle.

Word on the street is that there are six more businesses that have expansion plans that will involve opting into the incentive! Meanwhile, check out these restaurants and give them a big Kyle welcome.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the new home builders in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Events Family Fun

Should I Upsize or Downsize on a New Home?

New home upsize or downsize

If you’re seeking a home in Kyle, you’re probably trying to decide how much space you want. Do you want to upsize or downsize your new home? How do you figure out what is the right size home for you in Kyle?

The best way to determine the right-sized home is by answering these questions.

  1. How do you use the space in your current home?

Do you or your family members get frustrated because you feel like you’ve outgrown your place? Or do you have too much space and rooms you never use? Do you need an office or a second home office for remote working?

Think about how you move around the living space and what rooms are and aren’t used. You’ll find subtle clues when you pay attention.

  1. What do you want in a back or front yard?

Do you want a big backyard for the kids and pets to play around in? Do you love to garden? Or do you hate taking care of the lawn and would rather have a small yard? Don’t forget some communities have wonderful parks and playgrounds that might be more than enough for you.

  1. What does the future look like?

Are you newly partnered or married? Do you have small kids? Want to have kids in the future? Or maybe the kids are grown up. Will you have a lot of guests staying at your place? Or will you travel a lot? Do you love to host parties? If yes, how big are they? This could also impact how much yard you want as you may want your attendees to enjoy the outdoors.

  1. How much home can you afford?

A real estate agent can provide you with the resources to figure out how much home you can afford. Remember, you’ll need to leave breathing room as there is maintenance, insurance, property taxes, and deductibles. Of course, you have to buy food as well as pay for utilities and the internet. If you have kids, what activities are they involved in? These require different amounts of investments especially those who are about to go off to college.

In short, the decision to upsize or downsize depends on your lifestyle and how you use your home. If you want a new home but don’t want to have to pay for the upkeep of backyard amenities such as a pool, looking into an amenity-rich master-planned community has its benefits. At Crosswinds, we offer an expansive pool, playgrounds, dog parks, and a Lifestyle Program for resident events, which are all included in your HOA dues. Learn more about life at Crosswinds on our website.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team. 

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Education

Home Maintenance: Just the Basics You Need to Know

The best thing about buying a new home in Kyle’s Crosswinds Community is that everything works and runs smoothly. You don’t have to wonder if the house started having problems under a previous owner. It’s a clean slate.

The joy of homeownership also requires doing basic home maintenance tasks. Spending a few minutes doing these tasks and learning the basics will stave off bigger, more expensive problems in the long-run. It also extends the life of your home and keeps utility bills as low as possible.

Here are the most important basics to know that will help your new home last for decades to come.

Electricity

The first thing to find is your circuit-breaker box and switches. It’s typically in the garage. Check the switches to see if they have labels showing you which controls what part of the house. If there are no labels, ask your home builder.

Knowing where the breaker box is and which switch to … well … switch comes in handy when the power goes out in one area of your home. It’s actually a good thing the power went off because something tripped the switch. The power turning off is a safety measure to prevent potential problems. Most of the time, flipping the switch fixes the problem.

You may notice outlets in the kitchen and bathroom that features red and black buttons. The black button is a test button. It deactivates the outlet. The red is the reset button.

Say you’re using the hairdryer and it suddenly stops working. You won’t need to go to the circuit-breaker box to fix this. Just press the red (reset) button and the hairdryer should work again.

Water

Just like you want to know the location of your circuit-breaker box and switches, you also want to locate your water valves in case you ever have to shut off the water. Typically, you can find valves under the sink or behind appliances. Or follow the hose to the valve.

This one tip will save you loads of money and headaches. When you spot a leak or a flood, turn the valve to the right (clockwise) to shut it off. The sooner you do it, the less water will get out and do damage.

After shutting off the water, drain the residual water where the valve feeds. Go about doing the repairs. As soon as you finish and verify everything works, turn the valve to the left (counter-clockwise) to restore the water supply. Open the faucet associated with the valve to let out any air.

Air

For new homes in Kyle, you’ll want to replace the air filter more frequently in the beginning. Things like drywall dust take time to settle. Right after moving in, change the filters every two weeks for a few months. Then, you can switch to replacing the filters every three months.

It makes a huge difference in the utility bill. The more filled the filter is, the harder your air conditioning unit will work and drive up the cost.

Toilets

You don’t need to have every tool under the sun as soon as you move into your new home. It’s fine to keep adding to your collection over time.

These are the first tools you want to have on hand:

  • Plunger
  • Auger
  • Bucket
  • Rubber gloves

It’s not a matter if, but a matter of when a clogged toilet will happen. And the plunger will do the trick most of the time. Sometimes the situation requires something stronger and that’s where the auger will come to the rescue.

Before you plunge, evaluate the water to determine its chances of overflowing. If it looks likely, turn off the valve near the toilet. Grab the plunger for this. Remove half of the water from the toilet, make a tight seal with the plunger, and plunge several times. If the water goes down, give it one more plunge. Turn on the valve and flush the toilet.

Still backed up? Time to bring in the auger. Insert it into the toilet and slowly crank it to the right (clockwise) until it’s tight. Turn the crank in reverse (counter-clockwise) for a little bit and then crank forward as far as you can. All good? Now, crank in reverse while pulling backward. This should solve the problem. Test it by flushing the toilet several times.

Bonus Home Maintenance Tip

Nowadays, you can download most manuals from the internet. This is the time to look up all your appliances and pick up the manuals for each. Store them together in a folder on your hard drive.

You may have some print manuals. Store them in one place where you know you will find them. These manuals prove useful when you run into a problem or need to replace a part. They let you know exactly what part you need to order.

If you encounter a problem not covered here, just do a search for home maintenance solutions and videos. You’ll find a how-to video for almost everything. Also, open your phone’s app store and search for home maintenance apps. Many nifty checklists and references are available to help you with home maintenance.

Now that you know where everything is located and bought the tools, treat yourself! Or maybe you’re thinking about looking at new homes in Kyle? Come explore the Crosswinds Community with its diversity of amenities.

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Homebuilder

Homebuilder Highlight: Gehan Homes

As you search for new homes in Kyle, you may want to explore the master-planned Crosswinds community located right off I-35 between Austin and San Marcos. Just 20 miles from Austin, residents appreciate its big-city resources and entertainment with all the joys of small-town living. Known as the Pie Capital of Texas, Kyle offers a slice of heaven literally and figuratively.

In planning the community, Crosswinds looked at many Kyle builders to select the right ones to bring the vision for this community to life. One of those is Gehan Homes, which Builder Magazine has ranked as the 14th largest private homebuilder in the U.S. For more than 25 years, Gehan has welcomed families to their new homes.

About Gehan Homes

Gehan Homes builds most of its homes in Texas. They know the locales well and design homes made to withstand Texas weather and optimize them for the different types of Texas soil.

Everything the Texas homebuilder does revolves around these four cornerstones:

  • Highest quality
  • Exceptional design
  • Personalization
  • Superior buying and customer experience

You can find them in Crosswinds at 231 Tailwind Drive Kyle, TX 78640. (The community is East of I-35 off of Windy Hill Road and Crosswinds Pkwy.) Their homes range from three to four bedrooms with two to three baths. Homes start in the $260s and range from 1,850 to 3,050 sq. ft. Explore Gehan floor plans in Crosswinds.

Gehan Home Achievements

The Kyle homebuilder has received the 2017 Texas Association of Builders STAR Award for Builder of the Year along with more than 20 STAR awards. TAB created the awards program to spotlight the exceptional work of home builders, architects, designers, remodelers, and other industry leaders.

Gehan Homes has also won several Houzz awards including one for customer service and another for product design. They’ve received many more awards. While they take pride in their awards, nothing is more valuable to them than their customer relationships.

BUILDER Online has recognized Gehan Homes as one of the “Top 25 Builders Killing It Via Social Media.” So, check them out on your favorite social network. It’s a great way to get to know them better.

The Crosswinds community features a pool, pavilion, parks, playgrounds, and trails. For more information about Gehan Homes, please call 512-965-9977 or email reicher@gehanhomes.com.

Categories
Area Attractions Family Fun Uncategorized

Best Public Parks in Kyle, TX

With summer in full throttle, it’s time to get out and enjoy the weather! Be sure to visit the public parks in Kyle to soak up the sun. Whether you’re spending time with family, playing with your dog, or taking time for yourself, we have the perfect Kyle park for you. Check out our guide and find your new favorite park near Crosswinds!

public parks in kyle, kyle parks, crosswinds, master-planned community, new homes in kyle, things to do in kyle

  1. Steeplechase Dog Park

Does your furry friend need to socialize? Or perhaps you’re looking to socialize with animal lovers like yourself! Steeplechase Dog Park has you and your dog covered. Located near the intersection of Lehman Road and Hailey Drive, this public park in Kyle includes separate sections for large and small dogs. Don’t worry about putting on and taking off your dog’s leash, there’s a transition zone between the leashed and unleashed areas of the park. Water fountains and shaded areas are also available!

  1. Gregg-Clarke Park

Gregg-Clarke Park is a multi-use park that provides the Kyle community a great spot to host recreational and special events. Anchored by the Kyle Pool, the park includes softball and football fields, tennis and basketball courts and covered playscapes. In addition to the wide-open spaces, the walking trails are great for a morning stroll. Check out the Parks and Rec calendar of events to see all of the planned family events at this park. The ‘Movies in the Park’ summer series is sure to be a hit!

  1. Lake Kyle Park

Looking for things to do in Kyle? Lake Kyle Park is your place. If you want to get out on the water, canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing and swimming are all available here! With four different nature trails, we promise you will find your favorite path. Keep an eye out for birds, fish, turtles, beavers and more at the wildlife viewing area. Lake Kyle Park also includes picnic tables, playgrounds and a pavilion.

  1. Steeplechase Park

Family fun can be found at Steeplechase Park. Baseball and football fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts and a disc golf course are great for a little family competition. The 31-acre park also includes open spaces with trails and playscapes. Plum Creek runs through the heart of this Kyle park, providing the most picturesque views. What more could you ask for?

We hope one of these public parks in Kyle takes care of what you’re looking for! If you are interested in learning more about Kyle, TX and our master-planned community contact Crosswinds today. You can also connect with our master-planned community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Image via GettyImages. Creative number 958658988.

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