It should come as no surprise that Arlington, Texas, once known for its cotton ginning and agricultural production, has maintained a reputation for natural marvel among both residents and tourists.
Among the great areas to explore include its gorgeous and ecologically diverse parks, which offer fun for everyone, from kids who want to get their knees dirty, to the elderly who want a beautiful view of the landscape.
Here are some of the best parks in town that you may run across while in town for vacation, business, or searching for apartments in Arlington TX.
1. Crystal Canyon Natural Area
One of Arlington’s newest parks, this natural area is advertised as being a “hilly 40-acre preserve, offering a half-mile trail & interpretive signs amid forest & rock terrain.”
It’s considered a geology lover’s paradise due to its significantly diverse geological profile. Amenities include hiking trails, biking trails, natural areas, and very few man-made objects, apart from educational signs.
2. Randol Mill Park
This family aquatic center offers water recreation for all ages, including interactive attractions such as their vortex pools, current channels, water slides, play structures, and more. In addition to the central aquatic center, there is a fishing lake, concessions, and various wet and dry recreational opportunities.
3. Bowman Springs Park
This waterfront park spans 14 acres and includes a paddling trail, fishing pier, and eight-lane boat ramp. Named after the Bowman family that settled in Arlington in 1852, this park is purported by one local resident to offer one of the best views of the sunset in the world. Amenities include hiking and biking trails, a basketball court, picnic areas, grills, playgrounds, restrooms and more.
4. River Legacy Park
Regarded as an urban oasis curving by the Trinity River, this park is a uniquely expansive opportunity to engage with the wilderness in Arlington. This ecologically diverse park spans 1,300 acres.
Amenities include, but are not limited to, eight miles of paved hiking and biking trails, a ten-mile mountain bike trail, picnic areas, restrooms, playgrounds, an exercise station, and canoe launch areas. A delightful mix of wetlands, prairies, and forests, River Legacy Park is sure to be a visitor’s favorite.
5. S.J. Stovall Park
This 52-acre community park is an ideal oasis for families. Named after one of the beloved former Mayors of Arlington, the park has some unique amenities that aren’t typical of the other parks in Arlington.
These unique offerings include equestrian trails, a splash pad, sand volleyball courts, a pool, and tennis courts. All this is among the usual offerings like numerous hiking and biking trails, public art, playgrounds, practice fields, and much more.
Arlington, Texas may be among the most populous cities in the country, but one would never know this, based on the extraordinary amount of immersive wilderness that residents and tourists have access to.
For anyone looking to relocate to a place that has the best of offerings in urban and rural living, Arlington may be the perfect place, with countless parks, stores, restaurants, schools, and wonderful apartments and homes.
Have you been to Arlington, Texas? What are your favorite parks?
