Plano's Best Playgrounds for Adults and Kids Alike
We all need some quality time in the great outdoors once in a while
Whether you're looking for a hiking trail, a place to take the kids for the afternoon or just an opportunity to get outside and get a little fresh air, Plano has you covered. The best parks in Plano offer a variety of opportunities for recreation and a chance to take in some beautiful natural scenery. Set aside some time to visit one of these top parks while you're in town.
Waterfront Jog
The expansive Bob Woodruff Park offers just about everything you could ever want in a park and it's only minutes from downtown Plano. The park includes a sand volleyball court and a fishing pond with a small pier, as well as picnic pavilions, playgrounds and restrooms. A 1.7-mile hard-surface trail—perfect for jogging and cycling—meanders through the park's open fields and shady woods. More than two miles of natural-surface trails are also available for more secluded hikes.
The Scenic Route
Spanning 200 acres, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a vast natural area encompassing three distinct habitats: riparian forest, upland forest and Blackland Prairie. You can explore it on nearly nine miles of paved and unpaved trails, including a designated off-road cycling trail. Developed facilities include a playground, observation tower, pavilion and restrooms. As a nature preserve, Arbor Hills is home to a wide range of plant and animal life, including venomous snakes and poison ivy. Use caution, especially if you're visiting with children.
Life’s a Picnic
Hickory Creek Park is nestled on the shore of 30,000-acre Lewisville Lake, less than 30 minutes from Plano. Lewisville Lake is known for excellent catfish, panfish and bass fishing, and you'll find ample fishing access and boat launch facilities in the park. Hickory Creek Park also includes picnic facilities, walking trails, playgrounds and a beach where you can take a dip and watch a stunning sunset over the lake.
Downtown Destination
Right at the heart of Plano's historic downtown, Haggard Park is just footsteps away from countless shops and restaurants, making it a perfect place to stop for a rest while you're exploring Plano. Haggard Park includes restrooms, picnic facilities and a short, paved walking trail that passes between towering oak, ash and pecan trees. The park is also home to the Interurban Railway Museum where you can learn a little bit about the historic Texas Electric Railway.
Wide Open Spaces
You could spend days exploring Plano's largest park, the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. It encompasses 800 acres on the east side of the city. The preserve's thick forests and open wildflower meadows harbor a diverse assortment of wildlife. You might spot snakes, birds, turtles and other creatures as you explore 8.5 miles of trails. Much of Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is largely undeveloped, but it also includes picnic pavilions, restrooms and an outdoor amphitheater.
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