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.
Park amenities include a 1-mile walking trail, 80 acres, 4 lit softball fields, 2 soccer fields, fishing pong and pier, 2 basketball courts, handicap-accessible playground, covered picnic shelters, park pavilion, barbecue pit, and restrooms.
La Sal del Rey, or “the King’s Salt,” is one of three naturally occurring salt lakes in South Texas. Sitting atop an estimated four million tons of salt, these hypersaline lakes are seven times saltier than the ocean.
Amenities include the 1-mile Harlingen Hometown Heroes trail with handicap accessible exercise equipment, 47 acres, 18 lit tennis courts with pro shop (HEB Tennis Center), Veterans Memorial, Pendleton Pool, park pavilion, barbecue pit, 6 little league baseball fields, scenic pond with fountain, picnic tables, restrooms, playgrounds, and a basketball court.
Introducing children to a world of learning through creative hands-on interactive exhibits, workshops and activities.
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.
The Gladys Porter Zoo is an oasis nestled in the center of Brownsville, Texas. With 27 acres of lush tropical plants and some 1,500 animals, the Gladys Porter Zoo is known for its successes in breeding endangered species of wildlife.
The multi-use facility includes eight fields and one championship field which meets the needs of various sports including soccer, football, rugby, and ultimate Frisbee as well as numerous community and special events including the annual McAllen Marathon. In addition to the fields, the park’s amenities include practice fields, lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, playground, water feature, concession area, and restroom facilities. A permit is required for use of this facility.
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!
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.
Andy Bowie Park is located on the north end of South Padre Island, on the Gulf of Mexico, directly across from the South Padre Island Convention Center. Some of the amenities offered at Andy Bowie Park are two large surfside picnic pavilions, BBQ areas, RV sites, food concessions, beach rental concessions, fishing area, swimming area, restrooms and showers, a flagship hotel and access to a pristine beach. The park is open 7 days a week. For R.V. reservations please call the park office at (956) 761-3704.
MOON JUMPS RENTALS
Isla Blanca Park is located on the southernmost tip of South Padre Island and is the crown jewel of the Parks system. Entrance is $10/vehicle. Located within the park, there is over a mile of pristine beach along the Gulf of Mexico that offers an abundance of waterfront recreational facilities. Our beachfront facilities make the clear gulf waters accessible to all. Isla Blanca Park offers two large beachfront pavilions with onsite food and beach rental concessions, ample parking, walking trail, jetties and surf fishing, a jetties bait stand, over 600 full hook-up R.V. sites, cabana rentals, tent sites, a boat ramp, numerous restroom/shower facilities and shaded picnic areas.
The Pharr Aquatic Center is a South Texas attraction including water slides, pools and lazy river attractions. Pharr Natatorium is also on site.
Bejarano McFarland Memorial Park is located in the colonia of Laguna Heights, within the city limits of Port Isabel. The park is approximately 2.0 acres in size and borders the Laguna Madre bay. The amenities offered at the park consist of a Bird Watch Overlook with interpretative signs that extend 110 feet into the Laguna Madre, outdoor basketball court, playground, multi-purpose trail, a large picnic pavilion with bbq pits and a butterfly garden.
Park with a walking path, pond, playground, bathrooms and splash pad.
E.K. Atwood Park (Beach Access 5) is located on the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 1.6 miles north of Andy Bowie Park. E.K. Atwood is open seven days a week and provides vehicular beach access. The park also provides a parking area (with fee), a beachside covered pavilion with picnic tables, restrooms and a boardwalk accessing the beach.
McAllen Municipal Park and Pool is home to a 27-acre site with picnic facilities, a rubber floor toddler playground, older kid playground & an Olympic-size outdoor pool (see McAllen Parks and Rec aquatics site for more information on pool hours).
El Ranchito Park is located near the intersection of Highway 281 and Park Ranch Road, just southeast of San Benito. The newly constructed park offers a number of recreational elements and amenities such as regulation size little league multi-use field, full-sized soccer field, a walking trail, basketball court, playground, butterfly garden, benches, and picnic pavilions.
Bill Schupp Park is a great park for any age! It has an outer fitness trail, multiple playgrounds, bathrooms, picnic tables and shade trees.