Parks & Green Spaces¶

The Waco area is exceptionally well-endowed with outdoor recreation options — from Cameron Park's 416 acres of limestone bluffs and river bottomland to the sprawling Army Corps reservoir at Lake Waco to the Brazos River running through the heart of the city. For families, the park system is a significant quality-of-life asset. For a church planting team, parks are among the most natural places to encounter community life.

Major Regional Assets¶

Cameron Park¶

Address: 1750 Herring Ave, Waco, TX 76706 (primary entrance) | City of Waco — Cameron Park

Waco's flagship park — 416 acres of limestone cliffs, river bottomland, and hardwood forest along the confluence of the Brazos and Bosque Rivers. It is one of the largest municipal parks in Texas and the defining outdoor landmark of the city.

Amenities: - 20+ miles of trails — multi-use National Recreation Trail System; hiking and mountain biking through cliffs, creeks, and wooded bottomland - Cameron Park Zoo (52 acres; 1,500+ animals; 300+ species; separate admission) — 1701 N. 4th St.; a full-scale natural-habitat zoo within the park; includes a splash pad open Memorial Day–Labor Day - Disc golf course (18 holes) - Cross-country running course - Playgrounds and picnic areas throughout - Recreational courts (basketball, tennis) - Scenic overlooks — views of the Brazos and Bosque Rivers from limestone bluffs - Natural springs and creek drainages throughout

Character: Cameron Park attracts runners, mountain bikers, dog walkers, families with strollers, and serious hikers alike. On weekend mornings it is one of the most socially active spaces in Waco across all demographics. The park borders Sanger Heights, North Waco, and the University/Baylor corridor.

Lake Waco & Army Corps of Engineers Parks¶

Army Corps — Lake Waco Parks | Destination Waco Overview

Lake Waco is a 79,000 acre-foot U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the North Bosque River, approximately 5 miles west of downtown Waco. The lake and its surrounding parks form the region's primary venue for boating, fishing, camping, and lakeside recreation. Five Army Corps parks ring the lake:

Airport Park (North shore) - Open year-round - 46 RV/tent sites with 50-amp electric and water hookups; 22 also have sewer - Boat ramp, picnic areas

Midway Park (East shore of South Bosque River arm) - Day-use and camping - Boat ramp, picnic areas, swimming area

Reynolds Creek Park (West side) - 41 campsites with water and electric hookups - 10 equestrian sites with horse facilities - 6 primitive/tent sites (no hookups) - Boat ramp

Speegleville Park (Southwest shore — most popular) - 30 campsites with water and electric; 2 screened shelters - 4-lane boat ramp (largest on the lake) - Swimming area, picnic areas, playgrounds - See also Speegleville for community context

Koehne Park (South shore, off Lake Shore Drive) - Day-use park with picnic areas and lake access - Boat ramp

Fishing: Lake Waco supports catfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and sunfish — one of the more productive fishing lakes in Central Texas.

Neighborhoods nearby: Speegleville, Parkdale / Viking Hills, Brookview, West Waco

Brazos River Corridor¶

The Brazos River runs through the heart of Waco from north to south, and the city has developed a growing network of parks and trails along both banks.

Waco Riverwalk - Approximately 7 miles of multi-use, lighted trail looping along both banks of the Brazos - Stretches from Baylor University / McLane Stadium north to Cameron Park - Used by runners, cyclists, walkers, and families; one of the most heavily-used recreational corridors in Waco

Indian Spring Park - Located at the western end of the historic Waco Suspension Bridge (1870) - Features: shade trees, fountain plaza, benches, paved walking trail, bicycle hitch, restrooms - Branding of the Brazos public art installation — a tribute to the cattle drives that shaped Waco's early economy - Entry point to the Suspension Bridge pedestrian crossing; popular photo destination

Doris Miller Waterfront Park (East Waco, 76704) - Named for Doris Miller, Waco native and first African American awarded the Navy Cross (Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941) - Amenities: walking and biking paths, fishing piers, picnic tables, playground, scenic river views - A 9-foot bronze statue of Miller stands on the riverfront - See East Waco for full context on Miller's legacy

Sculpture Zoo on University Parks Drive - A 1-mile public art installation along University Parks Drive between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Cameron Park Zoo - 28 sculptures of animals (zoo species and Central Texas native wildlife) in varying styles and materials; free to walk

Waco City Parks¶

South Waco Community Center & Park - Address: 2815 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76711 - Gym, fitness room, meeting rooms; Mon–Thu 9am–9pm, Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–3pm - Adjacent park: pavilion, playgrounds, ballfield, walking trail - Home to the Waco Hispanic Museum (free admission) - See South Waco

Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park (Under Construction — Est. Completion September 2026)

Updated June 2026 — Completion target updated to September 2026; construction active; named sub-features confirmed; adjacent to Cordova Springs development.

Former Floyd Casey Stadium site, 2915 Clay Ave, South Waco / 76706; formerly known as Floyd Casey Park
$25.3M total investment — $16.5M construction contract awarded to Millis Development and Construction; the largest city park investment in Waco's history
30 acres along Waco Creek; estimated completion September 2026 (per City of Waco project page, updated June 2026)
Waco's first purpose-built inclusive park — rubber surfacing throughout, roll-on/roll-off wheelchair swing, wheelchair-friendly pump track, bilingual heritage trail
Named sub-areas: Pauline Maldonado Chavez Inclusive Playground (Quetzalcoatl-themed slide); Gilbert Sanchez Sr. Track and Field; Leonardo Montelongo Sr. Pavilion; Manuel Gonzalez Fuente de la Libertad (fountain plaza); Puente de Jesus Deleon (bridge over Waco Creek)
Features: accessible playgrounds, basketball and pickleball courts, 2.5-mile walking path network, all-wheels course (skate park/pump track), sports fields, amphitheater, at-grade splash pad
See South Waco Details | Source: City of Waco

North Waco Park - Neighborhood park serving the North Waco residential community - See North Waco

Waco Parks & Recreation maintains parks throughout all city neighborhoods. For a complete list, see City of Waco Parks & Recreation.

Suburban City Parks¶

Woodway — Carleen Bright Arboretum¶

Address: 9001 Bosque Blvd, Woodway, TX 76712 | discoverwoodway.com/arboretum Hours: Daily 6:00am – 10:00pm | Admission: Free

One of the most pleasant green spaces in the Waco metro — a 16-acre botanical garden and community park operated by the City of Woodway.

Amenities: - Certified Monarch Waystation and native plant botanical gardens - Todd Willis Nature Trail — winding path through native woodland - Fountains and meditation garden - Interactive water features and splash pad (Memorial Day–Labor Day, 9am–7pm) - Playgrounds and swings - Pavilion Event Center — private event rental with floor-to-ceiling accordion windows overlooking the gardens; built-in dance floor, AV equipment, catering facilities - Ample parking and restrooms

Character: A quiet, manicured escape popular with families, walkers, and photographers. Unusually well-appointed for a free municipal park. See Woodway.

Hewitt — Hewitt Park & Warren Park¶

Hewitt Park | cityofhewitt.com

Hewitt's primary park — a 32-acre facility with: - 2 playgrounds (large playground is ADA accessible) - 2 soccer fields, baseball backstop, lit basketball courts - 2 volleyball courts, horseshoe pits - ½-mile concrete walking/jogging track - Workout stations, disc golf course - Small pavilions, restrooms

Warren Park — Secondary community park with playground, walking trails, and scenic views; hosts community events throughout the year.

See Hewitt.

Robinson — Peplow Park¶

Address: Peplow Drive (east of US-77), Robinson, TX 76706 | robinsontexas.org

Robinson's main public park — a 7.7-acre facility developed in partnership with Robinson ISD: - Pavilion, gazebo, and amphitheater - Playgrounds (children's areas) - Sand volleyball and basketball court - Horseshoe pits, exercise equipment - Walking/jogging trail - Off-street parking, restrooms - Live oak and red oak trees throughout with lighting for evening use

See Robinson.

Bellmead — City Parks¶

bellmeadtx.gov/198/Parks-Recreation

Bellmead has 4 community parks plus a civic center:

Brame Park (Flagship — Renovating Spring 2026) - 4 acres at Oakgrove St. & Hogan Lane - Closed January 12, 2026 for a ~$400,000 renovation funded in part by a TPWD grant ($150K match). Improvements include ADA upgrades, new accessible playground equipment (including a wheelchair swing), shaded canopies, additional lighting, and native landscaping. Reopening expected before summer 2026. - Splash pad (late May–Sep 30, 8am–8pm, free; verify 2026 seasonal open date) - 8+ pavilions of varying sizes; restrooms

Devorsky Park - Queen's Court on Parrish St. - Playground, ¼-mile walking track, covered pavilions

Lion's Park - 5 baseball fields; home to Bellmead's Little League program

Planned: New Recreation Complex (52 acres) - 19,000 sq. ft. recreation and activities center, concession stand, baseball and competition fields — approved and in development as of 2025

See Bellmead.

Lacy Lakeview — Veterans Memorial Park¶

Lacy Lakeview's primary green space features a walking path looping past a playground and picnic pavilions alongside a memorial honoring the city's veterans. The park is modest but well-maintained.

Bonus: Paddlers are 4 miles from the Brazos Park East boat ramp, which provides canoe/kayak access to the Brazos River.

See Lacy Lakeview.

Surrounding Cities¶

West, TX¶

West is a small Czech-heritage community (~2,800 residents) with a city park serving its residential population. Parks information is best obtained through City Hall: (254) 826-5351. The city's primary outdoor draw is its annual festivals and community events rather than developed trail or park infrastructure.

See West.

McGregor — Amsler Park & Launch Pad Park¶

McGregor has 5 public parks with a notable SpaceX-era character. cityofmcgregor.com

Amsler Park (flagship) - Swimming pool and splash pad - Three large playgrounds (slides, swings, climbing obstacles) - 9-hole disc golf course (hosts the annual McGregor 'Merica Open disc golf tournament each July)

Launch Pad Park - Home of the McGregor Youth Baseball and Softball Association (MYBSA) - Rocket-themed playground, funded in part by SpaceX - SpaceX rocket engines join the annual Founder's Day parade around this park each September

See McGregor.

Lorena — McBrayer City Park¶

Address: West Center Street, Lorena, TX | ci.lorena.tx.us

A 2.5-acre neighborhood park — Lorena's primary public green space: - Hike and bike trail - Picnic pavilion, horseshoe area - Basketball court and playground - Clean restroom facilities (open daylight–dark; basketball court open until midnight)

Small but well-maintained. Reservations for the pavilion through City Hall ($100 deposit).

See Lorena.

Hillsboro — City Parks & Lake Whitney¶

hillsborotx.org

Hillsboro City Park (20 acres) - Splash park (seasonal) - Tennis courts and playground (upgraded with Hillsboro Lions Club support) - Pavilions for gatherings - Walking, jogging, cycling, and rollerblading paths

Wallace Park - Multi-sport facility hosting year-round youth leagues - Baseball, softball, and soccer

Lake Whitney (15 minutes from Hillsboro) - 10 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers parks + 1 Texas State Park + 3 county/private parks - Activities: fishing, swimming, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving, camping, hiking, bird watching - Lake Whitney State Park (TPWD): cabins, fishing, hiking, family programs; tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-whitney - Spring wildflower season (bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, 40+ species) is a regional draw

See Hillsboro.

Groesbeck — Lake Limestone¶

Texas Parks & Wildlife — Lake Limestone Access

Lake Limestone is the primary recreational asset for the Groesbeck area — a Brazos River Authority reservoir with several public access points:

Lake Limestone Public Use Area #2 (LCR-779, Groesbeck) - Boat launch, covered picnic tables, porta-potties - Primitive camping (no hookups); max 14-day stay

Lake Limestone Public Use Area #3 (25 acres, west shore) - 3-lane boat ramp and fishing pier - Picnic tables, primitive camping

Private Options: Running Branch Marina and Limestone Marina both offer camping with water and electric hookups.

Fishing: Catfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish.

See Groesbeck.

Mexia — Fort Parker State Park & Lake Mexia¶

Fort Parker State Park | tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/fort-parker Address: Near Mexia, Limestone County, TX | Opened 1941 | 1,458 acres

One of the more significant state parks within range of Waco — a full-service TPWD facility on the Navasota River:

Trails: - Springfield Trail — 1.8-mile loop - Navasota River Trail — 1.9 miles one way - River Loop — 0.9-mile loop - Baines Creek Trail — 2.5 miles one way - Bur Oak Nature Trail — 0.5-mile loop with interpretive pamphlet

Paddling: Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail — 10.8-mile loop

Camping: Improved campsites, screened shelters, group facilities; picnic tables and covered pavilions; grills and fire rings

Lake Mexia — municipal reservoir providing additional water recreation access for the city

See Mexia.

Clifton — City Parks & Bosque River¶

cityofclifton.org/visit-living/city-parks | visitclifton.org

Clifton punches above its size in park quality, anchored by the Bosque River:

Clifton City Park (flagship, along the Bosque River) - Disc golf course, dog park - Fishing and kayak/canoe river access - Picnic areas, gazebo, softball field, soccer area - Walking and nature trails through wooded river bottomland

Olsen Park - Playground, 1/3-mile walking trail - Swimming pool — the only public pool in Bosque County - Tennis courts and sand volleyball

Dahl Park (900 block of W. Third St.) - Playground, basketball court, open play field, walking path, picnic tables

Cockrell-Thiele Park (W. 11th St. & S. Ave J) - Playground equipment and walking path

Bosque River: The river runs 115 miles through Central Texas and provides one of the more accessible flatwater paddling and fishing experiences in the region — accessible right from Clifton City Park.

Nearby: Lake Whitney is also within driving range, adding a larger-lake recreation option.

See Clifton.

Spring 2026 Updates¶

Updated May 2026 — New park openings, trail expansion, and Bellmead renovation.

Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park (formerly Floyd Casey Park): The renamed $25.3M park (Millis Development and Construction). The 30-acre South Waco park is targeted for completion September 2026 (updated from "end of 2026") and will be the largest city park investment in Waco's history, featuring an amphitheater along Waco Creek, 2.5 miles of walking paths, skate park, sports fields, and accessible playgrounds. Adjacent to the Cordova Springs development. Source: City of Waco.
Waco City-Wide Trails Master Plan: Waco adopted a plan to expand the city trail system by 16 miles over five years ($4.2–$8.8M). The Cotton Belt Trail in Hewitt is planned for connection to the Brazos River greenway system.
China Spring Park (Planned): A 90-acre park facility is planned for the growing China Spring residential area, featuring a splash pad, playground, pavilion, and trail system.
Virginia Dupuy Park: A new downtown pocket park designed as a plaza-style public gathering space is in development.
Calle Dos Park: Construction is anticipated in 2026 as part of the Barron's Branch Creek restoration in downtown Waco (full completion targeted for late 2028).
Brame Park — Bellmead: The $400,000 renovation (TPWD-funded) is expected to be complete before summer 2026. New features include a wheelchair-accessible swing, ADA-compliant playground, shaded canopies, and native landscaping.