Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center

The Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center is home of the Splash! Into the Edwards Aquifer exhibit.

The Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center is housed in the old Barton Springs Pool bathhouse in the heart of Zilker Park. The center was renamed after Mr. Beverly S. Sheffield as a commemoration of his outstanding contributions to the City of Austin. Mr. Sheffield began as a lifeguard at Barton Springs Pool and became the director of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. After his retirement, he remained active in issues relating to the springs.

Take the Nature Challange!

Splash! Into the Edwards Aquifer

The Splash! exhibit offers a fun and exciting learning experience deep inside a simulated limestone cave. Multimedia displays and interactive exhibits demonstrate how the aquifer was formed and how it maintains its average daily flow of 32 million gallons of water at Barton Springs. The endangered Barton Springs salamander and other native aquatic species on display illustrate the diversity of life dependent on the water quality of local springs, creeks and rivers. Visitors can also investigate how their routine activities can impact local water quality while learning about water quality testing.