As one of the largest cities in Texas, Arlington offers residents and visitors a surprising amount of green space to enjoy the outdoors. From small neighborhood playgrounds to expansive nature preserves, Arlington’s parks span over 4,000 acres to give locals plenty of options for play and recreation.
| Park Name | Description | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| River Legacy Parks | A 1,300-acre park with over 15 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, paralleling the Trinity River. | Children’s Park, Riverside Trail, Veloweb Trail System |
| Richard Greene Linear Park | A 2.8-mile urban path connecting Arlington attractions, with trailside exercise stations and designated off-leash dog areas. | Exercise stations, festival plazas, solar lighting |
| Globe Life Field Tours | Offers behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium, including luxury suites, press boxes, and the playing field. | Access to luxury suites, press boxes, team clubhouses |
| Cravens Park | An 85-acre park with baseball/softball diamonds, playground, dog park, and sports courts. | Baseball/softball facilities, dog park, playground |
| Don Perkins Park | Offers playgrounds, hiking trails, a dog park, and sports fields along Johnson Creek. | Playground, Johnson Creek Trail, dog park |
| Vandergriff Park | A 30-acre park with mature trees, a walking trail around a duck pond, and tennis courts. | Walking trail, duck pond, tennis courts |
| UT Arlington’s Planetarium & Science Center | Features a high-tech digital theater for astronomy education and immersive shows. | 360-degree shows, surround sound, exhibits |
| Arkansas Lane Athletic Complex | An 80-acre complex with 13 multi-use sports fields for various sports and activities. | Sports fields, concessions building, nearby parks |
| Theatre Arlington | A cultural venue for plays, talent shows, acting classes, and productions. | 300 annual productions, Box Garden outdoor space |
| Tierra Verde Golf Club | A premier public golf course known for its playability and sustainability. | Renovated course, environmentally friendly practices |
| Fielder Park | A 130-acre park offering diverse outdoor activities like fishing, model airplane flying, and hiking. | Playgrounds, model aircraft flight zone, Johnson Creek Trail |
Many parks concentrate along the Trinity River and surrounding creeks creating ribbons of green with hiking trails, fishing access and watersports rentals. Families will love destinations featuring splash pads, sports fields, batting cages and miniature trains. And leashed dogs have nearly 20 designated parks to roam off-leash across the city.
Use this guide covering 12 top-rated parks in Arlington to discover amazing amenities like botanical gardens, batting cages, bark parks and more at the city’s vibrant outdoor escapes.
River Legacy Parks
Name and Location: River Legacy Parks is a 1,300-acre urban oasis following the curves of the Trinity River in north Arlington.
History and Significance: Established to preserve native wildlife and flora, River Legacy Parks serves as a prime example of Texas’s natural environment and conservation efforts.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy extensive trails for biking and hiking, playgrounds, a canoe launch, and the River Legacy Living Science Center, which offers educational programs.
Visitor Information: Open daily from dawn until dusk, free of charge. The Science Center has specific hours and may require a small fee for some exhibits or programs.
Stretching 1,300 acres in east Arlington, the River Legacy Parks system encompasses hardwood forests, lush gardens and over 15 miles of accessible hiking, biking and horseback riding trails largely paralleling the winding Trinity River. One of the most popular parks in the whole Dallas/Fort Worth metro, River Legacy draws outdoor enthusiasts and families to its many ecosystems and facilities.
Must-see sections include the 7-acre Children’s Park with splash pad, musical instruments and storybook structures. The Riverside Trail then delivers scenic river and skyline views atop the tree canopy on elevated boardwalks. And the Veloweb Trail System specifically serves mountain bikers with dirt BMX tracks for jumps and advanced riders. River Legacy Parks anchor outdoor recreation in Arlington.
Richard Greene Linear Park
Name and Location: This park is nestled between the Entertainment District, offering picturesque views of Arlington’s landmarks.
History and Significance: Named after a former mayor, it symbolizes Arlington’s commitment to green spaces amidst urban development.
What to Expect: A perfect spot for leisurely walks, picnics, and enjoying art installations, with close proximity to AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park.
Visitor Information: Accessible year-round with no entry fee, it’s an ideal place for a peaceful retreat or a casual stroll.
Formerly an overhead electricity right-of-way, Richard Greene Linear Park transformed into a contemporary 2.8 mile urban walking and biking path connecting key Arlington attractions from Globe Life Field to the Arlington Museum of Art downtown. Trailside exercise equipment stations encourage workouts with a view of the Dallas skyline. Leashed dogs also enjoy designated off-leash areas to play.
Special events take place across the linear greenway like 5K charity runs or summer concert series on two dedicated festival plazas. Nighttime strolls feel safer thanks to solar lighting and multiple emergency call stations. Benches and little free libraries also line Richard Greene Linear Park for peaceful reading breaks ideal for seniors, students and nearby workers on breaks.
Globe Life Field Tours
Name and Location: Globe Life Field, the home of the Texas Rangers, is located in the heart of Arlington’s Entertainment District.
History and Significance: Opened in 2020, this ballpark is a state-of-the-art facility, showcasing advanced technology and fan-first features.
What to Expect: Guided tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the dugout, the press box, and the luxury suites, along with insights into the stadium’s architecture and operations.
Visitor Information: Tours are available year-round, with ticket prices varying. Check the official website for schedules and special tour packages.
Even if you can’t catch a Texas Rangers home game, Globe Life Field’s behind-the-scenes public tours deliver major league thrills for sports fans offering close-up perspectives of luxury suites, press boxes, the Dallas Cowboys locker room and the playing field itself. Special add-ons like gift shop discounts or watch batting practice access enhance insider access.
Groups wander this state-of-the-art stadium opened in 2020 while guides detail interesting facts and stats. Visit team clubhouses and the memorial water fountain honoring retired Ranger player numbers. Make sure to capture photos touching the dirt warning track just beyond bright green outfield grass up close. Baseball lovers will appreciate this all-access stadium experience.
Cravens Park
Name and Location: Located in south Arlington, Cravens Park is a large community park offering a variety of recreational facilities.
History and Significance: It serves as a central recreational space for families, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts in the area.
What to Expect: The park features baseball fields, basketball courts, a fishing pond, playgrounds, and picnic areas, making it suitable for a range of activities.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free of charge. Some facilities might be reservable for a fee.
Cravens Park packs prime recreation amenities into its 85 acres just north of AT&T Stadium near Collins Street. Baseball and softball diamonds host competitive league games thanks to covered dugout seating and electronic scoreboards. When fields stand empty, families take advantage of the sizable playground or walking loops circling verdant park grounds.
Leashed pets love the dog park here dividing areas for large and small breeds to socialize. Volleyball, badminton and basketball courts provide pickup game options while a skate park meets needs forwheeled sports. Arlington residents adore this central park with facilities and programming for all interests from yoga sessions to weekend carnivals.
Don Perkins Park
Name and Location: A smaller, community-focused park located in a quiet neighborhood in Arlington.
History and Significance: Named in honor of a local community leader, this park provides a tranquil space for relaxation and play.
What to Expect: It features playground equipment, open spaces for casual sports, and picnic tables.
Visitor Information: Accessible throughout the year with no admission fee, perfect for families looking for a peaceful outdoor space.
Honoring the Dallas Cowboys’ first Pro Bowler running back, Don Perkins Park stretches along Johnson Creek offering playgrounds, hiking trails, a dog park and sports fields for local use in southwest Arlington just off New York Avenue. Shady oaks surround the playground and picnic pavilion sculpted into multiple levels for climbing exploration. Nearby a memorial plaque describes Perkins’ exceptional athletic legacy.
Nature-lovers appreciate the Johnson Creek Trail connecting greenbelt sections along the winding creek for jogging or biking without street interference. And the off-leash dog area delights pet owners with space for furry friends to exercise off-leash safely fenced from roadways. Families gather at this smaller neighborhood escape with amenities encouraging all ages to engage with nature daily.
Vandergriff Park
Name and Location: Situated in central Arlington, Vandergriff Park is known for its comprehensive recreational facilities.
History and Significance: As one of the city’s major parks, it plays a pivotal role in providing community recreational space.
What to Expect: The park includes a swimming pool, sports fields, a skate park, and picnic areas. It hosts numerous community events throughout the year.
Visitor Information: Open to the public daily. Some facilities may have specific hours of operation and fees.
Situated northwest of downtown Arlington’s College Park neighborhood, 30-acre Vandergriff Park provides a public green space oasis amidst university campuses and residential streets. Mature shade trees edge broad lawns typically occupied by frisbee tossing college students and picnicking families. Four lighted tennis courts also attract competitive recreational players.
But the park’s premier draw remains its walking trail circling a small duck pond. Benches line paths to take in water views and local wildlife sightings around the pond. Geese and turtles frequent these peaceful waters. Leashed dogs are also permitted within Vandergriff Park making it a popular spot for pet exercise and socialization.
UT Arlington’s Planetarium & Science Center
Name and Location: Located on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington, this facility offers educational and entertaining experiences related to astronomy.
History and Significance: It serves as a key educational resource, promoting science education through its planetarium shows, exhibits, and events.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy planetarium shows, stargazing events, and interactive exhibits designed to educate and inspire interest in the cosmos.
Visitor Information: Open to the public with showtimes and ticket prices available on their website. Special events and programs may require advance booking.
While known as a university complex, UT Arlington’s Planetarium and Science Center offers engaging astronomy education experiences for all ages showcasing 360-degree immersive shows in their high-tech digital theater. Visitors recline and gaze upwards as surround sound and elaborate projection technology unveil mysteries of the cosmos during 45-minute programs.
Exciting cinematic shows like Undiscovered Worlds or Evening with the Stars inspire future astronauts gliding through our solar system and galaxy with insights from NASA scientists. Young children enjoy programs scaled to shorter attention spans like Accidental Astronauts. Surrounding exhibits feature historic tools plus artifacts like meteorites for hands-on solar system lessons beyond the dome theater.
Arkansas Lane Athletic Complex
Name and Location: A premier sports facility located in Arlington, offering fields for baseball, softball, and other sports.
History and Significance: This complex supports local and regional sports events, fostering community and competitive spirit.
What to Expect: Equipped with high-quality fields, it hosts leagues, tournaments, and clinics for various age groups and skill levels.
Visitor Information: Event schedules and registration information can be found on the city’s parks and recreation department website.
Spanning over 80 acres in east Arlington just off Arkansas Lane, the Arkansas Lane Athletic Complex gathers 13 multi-use sports fields catering from recreational kickball games to competitive fast pitch softball training and tournaments. The complex features a central concessions building flanked by fields with covered bleacher seating and digital scoreboards.
Two additional community park areas sit just east of the Athletic Complex for even more play opportunities. Vincent Park contains a loop trail circling a pond and playgrounds. And adjacent Arkansas Nature Preserve trails deliver a peaceful escape into forests and meadows when games wrap up. Sports teams and traveling tourneys know where to play in Arlington.
Theatre Arlington
Name and Location: This community theater, located in downtown Arlington, offers a range of live performances, from classic plays to modern productions.
History and Significance: Established to enrich the community through the arts, Theatre Arlington has become a cornerstone of local culture.
What to Expect: Audiences can enjoy high-quality theatrical productions, educational programs, and special events in an intimate setting.
Visitor Information: Ticket purchase is recommended in advance. Check their website for current shows, schedules, and educational program offerings.
More than simply a performance venue, Theatre Arlington serves as cultural gathering place for talent shows, summer camps, acting classes and 300 annual productions attracting over 110,000 visitors per year since opening its distinct sloping grey building along Main Street in 1976. While known for outstanding Broadway musical revivals, this creative hub also delivers children’s series, comedies and thought-provoking dramas to inspire community connections.
Before curtain calls, families often tailgate in the side parking lot with grills, chairs and yard games. Patrons also enjoy escaping into the onsite Box Garden outdoor space to socialize with fountains and fire bowls. Beyond show attendance, Theatre Arlington offers creative outlets welcoming all ages.
Tierra Verde Golf Club
Name and Location: An environmentally friendly golf course located in Arlington, offering a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all levels.
History and Significance: Known for its commitment to sustainability, Tierra Verde is the first municipal golf course in Texas to be certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary.
What to Expect: The course features beautiful landscapes, diverse wildlife, and excellent facilities, including a driving range and a pro shop.
Visitor Information: Tee times can be booked online or by phone. Fees vary by time and day, with discounts available for Arlington residents.
In a city stacked with golf courses, Tierra Verde Golf Club earns recognition as Arlington’s premier public course thanks to recent renovations elevating its playability and sustainability across the par-71 course sprawling 200 acres along the Trinity River bottomlands. Strategically placed bunkers and water hazards call for shot precision. New hybrid greens quicken and smooth surfaces without heavy chemical intervention through innovations like layered sand applications absorbing rainfall then retaining moisture.
Golfers also praise the layout’s striking elevation changes and scenery where fairways nestle within floodplains against the Dallas Skyline backdrop. Rick Smith of Arlington properly redesigned play that’s both environmentally integrated and challenging for golfers at every skill level.
Fielder Park
Name and Location: A family-friendly park located in the heart of Arlington, offering a serene environment for outdoor activities.
History and Significance: Fielder Park is a staple in the community for its accessible recreational opportunities and scenic beauty.
What to Expect: The park includes a playground, walking trails, and picnic areas, ideal for family outings or a quiet afternoon in nature.
Visitor Information: Open year-round with no entrance fee, providing a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.
Whether fishing along Johnson Creek, flying model airplanes or hiking through wildflower meadows, northeast Arlington’s Fielder Park provides opportunities for varied outdoor recreation across its 130 acres. Playgrounds give kids iconic Texas frontier structures like Fort Arlington to spark imagination through slides, ladders and steering wheels. Nearby a memorial plaque commemorates the 1843 Johnson Settlement originating emigrant farmsteads.
FJFK model aircraft Club governs a dedicated flight zone for enthusiasts. And the Johnson Creek Trail offers surprise encounters with great blue herons and songbirds when walking its woodland stretches. Thanks to diverse environments from tall grass prairies to Sandy Creek tributaries, Fielder Park connects every generation to nature’s wonder.
Final Thoughts
From professional sports facilities to vast nature conservancies, Arlington’s vibrant parks system offers outdoor escapes suiting every age and interest without leaving city limits. Well-rounded public parks give families and individuals access to quality recreational programming, wildlife habitats and historic landscapes that make Arlington living so celebrated. Use this list to uncover the diversity of experiences awaiting across over 4,000 acres of public parklands.