Parks & Playgrounds
Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center hosts school groups from pre-K through high school, scout groups, birding tours for all ages, challenge course facilitation, youth family programming, adult and senior history tours, speaker series programs, adult short courses in backyard habitat and birding! We have something for everyone!
This natural preserved park serves as a buffer between the rapidly growing, mostly residential west side of Brownsville and the Rio Grande River East – West Natural Corridor system. It has a 21-hole disc golf course, as well as a beginner level 7-mile single track mountain bike/running/hiking course.
5-mile Hike and Bike Trail, which includes Asphalt-Covered Trail, 2 Bridges, Parking Lot for up to 30 vehicles, a group Pavilion and Bike dirt trails.
The Magic Valley’s early 20th Century transition into an agricultural powerhouse is retold at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, which also embraces nature conservation as a wing of the World Birding Center. Visitors to this museum on the Rio Grande can learn about the steam-driven irrigation pumps that transformed Hidalgo County into a year-round farming phenomenon. They also can wander the museum’s grounds, where hummingbird gardens are planned, and where many of the Valley’s amazing bird species are regular visitors as well.
History and nature meet on scenic bluffs above the Rio Grande, where the World Birding Center in Roma can be found on the old plaza of a once-thriving steamboat port. Part of a national historic district, the WBC Roma Bluffs includes a riverside nature area of three acres: The gateway to unforgettable birding adventures across Starr County.
Park with a walking path, pond, playground, bathrooms and splash pad.
A 40-acre wetlands oasis in the midst of a lively urban landscape, the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands offers watchable wildlife year-round in a setting friendly to birds, butterflies and other water-loving creatures. The grounds offer three acres of paths and butterfly gardens, a large lake for wildlife viewing, Dragonfly pond, discover pond and indoor kids’ area and gift shop. You can check out Junior Ranger packs filled with activities and materials to help your little ones explore South Texas nature!
On May 8, 1846, United States and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park preserves the site of this notable battle and provides an understanding of the causes, events, and consequences of the U.S.-Mexican War.
This Harlingen park has 9 acres, an inclusive//handicap accessible playground, a covered picnic shelter, and access to the Arroyo Hike & Bike trail.
Lincoln Park is 48 acres. This park hosts a variety of program options that include nature center, baseball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, and hiking trails. Located just outside the University of Texas RGV, the park provides a breath of fresh greenery and open space alongside the local urban landscape.
This park is part of the master-planned Tres Lagos Community. Complete with swings, exercise stations, picnic tables and a multi-level playground that’s great for kids ages 5 and up.
Neighborhood park offering a splash pad, playground, restrooms, and pavilion with picnic tables. It is a summer meals site via the McAllen ISD summer feeding program. The park also has a skateboard park, tree-shaded trails, baseball field, sand volleyball court, and ample green space.
This small park is comprised of a basketball court, swing set, playground, and a picnic pavilion. A portion of the basketball court has been modified to accommodate a skate ramp.
The 100-acre National Butterfly Center is the premier location in the United States to experience the beauty, drama, and emotion of wild butterflies. A project of the nonprofit North American Butterfly Association, the center is designed to attract incredible numbers of beautiful, wild butterflies. Clouds of butterflies may be found at the National Butterfly Center because, by planting thousands of plants that the butterflies need for nectar and for caterpillar growth, we have created an outdoor paradise that sustains large populations and hundreds of species of wild butterflies.
Fireman’s Park is an oasis in the middle of McAllen. It boasts a pond with walking track, restrooms, kids’ playground and B-cycle station. Rentals are available on weekends for paddle boats, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. The barbecue pavilion is capable of serving 250 people. The pavilion features a refrigerator, indoor grill, restrooms, and can be rented through the Parks & Recreation Department. The park also has a playground area and sand volleyball court.
Sports enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy the lighted softball/baseball, football, and soccer fields, a jogging trail, a lighted basketball pavilion, lighted tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and aquatic facilities. Exciting playground equipment is also available in the 27-acre park.
This park has a 2-mile walking trail, 29 acres, 2 baseball fields, 2 soccer fields, nature trails with scenic overlooks of the Arroyo Colorado, a playground, a volleyball area, a covered picnic shelter, restrooms, access to Arroyo Hike & Bike trail, and an exercise circuit.
This cute neighborhood park has lots of shade and lots of room to run! The playground looks so much like a treehouse and is perfect for kids ages 3 and up. There are also bathrooms on-site and a walking path.
The Pharr Aquatic Center is a South Texas attraction including water slides, pools and lazy river attractions. Pharr Natatorium is also on site.