Celebrating over 50 years of existence, the Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation Department is dedicated to “creating a GRAND lifestyle”. The Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation department features world class parks and facilities, a wide-array of exciting program opportunities, and numerous special events throughout the year.
The City of Grand Prairie has over 5,000 park acres, including the exciting 3,000 acres surrounding Joe Pool Lake. The staff is proud to be the caretakers for the citizens of Grand Prairie and welcomes comments about the Parks system or recreation offerings of the city.
Dedicated to providing “world class service” the department was nominated by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) as a finalist to the National Gold Medal Award, one of only 4 in America, in 2007 and 2008, 2016 and 2017, and won the the Gold Medal in 2008 and 2017!
Awards are no stranger to the department, for it has racked up honors for Park Development, Maintenance Innovations and Recreation programming over the past few years.
The parks and recreation re-birth in Grand Prairie began in 1999 with the passage of the ¼ cent sales tax for parks and recreation by the Citizens of Grand Prairie. With dynamic city leaders, trusting citizens, awesome partners and a dynamic staff, the Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation system is destined to be one of the finest in America.
Enjoy your parks. Stop by EpicCentral featuring some of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation’s newest additions including: PlayGrand Adventures – an inclusive playground designed for all ages and abilities to play side by side, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark – Texas largest waterpark open year round, The Epic – showcasing industry leading fitness, athletics, aquatics, fine arts, media arts, and youth activities all in one incredible 120,000 square foot facility, The Summit 50+ Club – America’s first baby-boomer facility.
Enjoy some exciting recreation programs. Visit the exciting Ruthe Jackson Conference Center. Boat, swim or camp at Joe Pool Lake. Play a round at two award-winning golf courses. Work out at the Tony Shotwell Life Center, Dalworth Recreation Center, or the newly renovated Charley Taylor Recreation Center. Go for a jog on our trails. Take your dog to play at Central Bark. The department even offers the Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum for that special time of need.