July 4th is arguably the busiest day of the year at our local parks, so it’s a good idea to stake out a good spot early if you’re planning on spending Independence Day outdoors.
Fortunately, San Angelo and Tom Green County are very blessed in the parks department, and they offer many different locations for outdoor enthusiasts to choose from.
Here is a rundown of most of the parks around here.
Parks Around Lake Nasworthy
Hot Water Slough Park
12 acres at 2375 Red Bluff Rd: Lake access and fishing. There is a bathroom here, but it’s been closed for the last few years.
Knickerbocker Park
One acre at 6402 Knickerbocker Rd: Boat access with picnic area.
Mary E Lee Park
18 Acres at 2160 Mary E Lee Rd: Big beach area with boating entry, fishing dock. Restrooms available. Boat rentals.
Middle Concho Park
90 Acres near the end of Middle Concho Drive: Entry fees are only collected on weekends and holidays throughout the $5 day pass (no re-entry), $10 camping pass (re-entry allowed), $30 annual. Discount $20 for over 65 or disabled available at the Recreation office at 702 S. Chadbourne.
Rock Slough Park
2 acres at 2480 Fisherman’s Rd: Lake access and fishing, picnic area.
Spring Creek Park
60 acres at 21 Fisherman’s Rd: Fishing and lake access with RV Rentals, grills; Entry fee is $5 for a day pass (re-entry allowed), $10 for a camping pass (weekdays purchase at Spring Creek Marina. Re-entry allowed) $30 annual pass, Discount $20 for 65 and older or disabled available at the Recreation office.
South Concho Drive Park
8 acres at 850 S. Concho Drive: BBQ pits, boat dock and ramp, bank fishing access, picnic areas, playground, restrooms, beach volleyball.
In Town Parks
Bart DeWitt Park
13.2 acres at 330 S. Irving St: A crown jewel of the local parks system; features walking trails with river access along the entirety of the park. Offers a skate park, along with “The Bosque” games and recreation area. “The Lady In Blue” sculptures and historical site completes the park where it crosses with Concho Ave.
Bell Park
3 acres at 515 Lowrie Ave: Grills and picnic areas, playground, practice fields, and tennis courts.
Brentwood Park
15.6 acres at Howard St. between Forest Park Avenue and Woodlawn Drive, the park is divided by Harrison, VanBuren and Monroe streets: Fully accessible with playground, lighted tennis court, basketball practice, baseball field (203 feet), and a pond for fishing. Temporary restroom available.
Brown Park
2.4 acres at 2411 W. Twohig Ave: Fully accessible with playground, lighted basketball and tennis courts, baseball practice field (155 feet), along with grills and picnic area.
Civic League Park
11.2 acres at 2 S. Park St: Fully accessible with pavilion, walking trails, the International Water Lily collection, rose and native plant gardens.
El Paseo de Santa Angela
8 acres at 34 W. Ave. D: Fully accessible with community event arena, walking paths, gardens, municipal pool, RiverStage venue and the Museum of Fine Art.
Firefighters Memorial Park
5 acres at 315 E. Twohig Ave: Fully accessible with playground, gardens, basketball court, picnic area, trails, and fishing access.
Glenmore Park
7 acres at 85 Paint Rock Rd: Fully accessible with playgrounds, two baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, restrooms, and kayak launch. Good bank access for fishing, and large open spaces.
Jamie Padron Memorial Park
5 acres at 2730 Ben Ficklin Rd: Fully accessible with tennis courts and basketball courts, baseball field (205 feet), walking trails, and restrooms. Located by Southside Recreation center.
Kirby Park
24 acres at 1401 Edmund Blvd: Large pavilion available for $400. Fully accessible park, playgrounds, walking trails, lighted courts, restrooms and water fountains.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
4 acres at 2121 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive: Fully accessible with baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball practice, restrooms, and pavilions available.
Meadowcreek Park
5.5 acres at 5117 Tabosa Drive: Fully accessible with grills, picnic area, tennis court, baseball field, and walking trail.
Mountainview Park
6.5 acres at 3031 Freeland Ave: Tennis court, basketball practice, playground. Restrooms available.
Park Heights Park
2.8 acres at 418 W Avenue B, behind Visitors Center: Public art and sculpture with walking path, fishing access, kayak launch, and flower gardens.
Producers Park
22.8 acres at 1805 Ricks Drive: Fully accessible with two playgrounds, pavilion, walking trails, basketball court, restrooms, two soccer fields and two baseball fields.
Red Arroyo Trail
3.6 miles with parking at Millbrook Drive and Sul Ross: This wide path runs between Knickerbocker Road and Sherwood Way, and the elevation decreases as you approach Knickerbocker.
Rio Concho Park
19.6 acres at 509 Rio Concho Drive: Split into sections A through D, park facilities are fully accessible, with lighted baseball and softball fields, grills and picnic areas, flower garden and gazebo, walking trails and water fountains.
Santa Fe Park
55.5 acres at 603 W. Beauregard Ave: Nine-hole walking golf course, Kids’ Kingdom playground and pavilion, river trail and fishing access. Public art, and annual Christmas light show.
Santa Rita Park & Sulphur Springs Park
8.4 acres at 1111 S. Madison St and 4.9 acres along Algerita Drive and Paseo de Vaca St: Grassy areas and pickleball courts; tennis and a small lagoon for fishing. Sulphur Springs is great place to take photographs.
South Concho Park
8 acres at 1608 S. Concho Park Drive: Down the road from Glenmore, features grills, picnic area, playground, sand volleyball court and full sized boat ramp.
Spanish Park (Sunken Garden Park)
7.1 acres at 704 S. David St: Walking paths amongst flower beds, connecting with Park Heights through trail leading towards river.
Unidad Park
7.3 acres at 3245 Vista Del Arroyo Drive: Fully accessible, playground, baseball field (165 feet), horseshoe pits, splash pad, and public art. Restrooms available. Pavilion available for $20 per hour.
Webster Park Tot Lot
0.7 acres at 2721 Webster St: This park is designed especially for young children featuring a small playground, tricycle path, and picnic area.
City Park Reservations
Park rentals are priced at $20 per hour. Minimum of two-hour reservation; maximum of four hours. Wedding venue sites — Lily Pond Pavilion, J M Rogers Garden Pavilion, Tiered Plaza and Visitor Center: Rentals are $60 per hour. Minimum of one-hour reservation; maximum of two hours. Details are posted online for each specific venue. SOURCE: City of San Angelo
Out of Town State & Federal Parks
San Angelo State Park
7,677 acres with entry points along Farm-to-Market Road 2288: Lots of campgrounds, picnic areas, and access at points of O.C. Fisher Reservoir, which was stocked with catfish earlier this year. Cabins and campgrounds are available for booking. $4 for general one day admission, and campsites with water start at $10. Boasting more than 50 miles of trails, as well as one of the few locations in the area where long distance runners can practice undisturbed. Hunting is permitted in remote designated areas for dove, deer, turkey, and other game.
Twin Buttes
9,080 acres with multiple entry points: Twin Buttes Reservoir is our largest lake basin near town. Catfish, bass, crappie, and other species are well populated. There is a $12 cost for the Limited Public Use Permit, which grants access to many other sites in Texas as well. There are steep penalties if you don’t have the permit.
Tom Green County Parks
Carlsbad Park
10527 Carlsbad Loop, Carlsbad: Creek access, benches and picnic table, play equipment.
Foster Park
10550 Farm-to-Market Road 2335 near Tankersley: The main facility can be reserved for $25 per day, and the two RV rental spots for $20. Bathroom available when renting facility. This is one of the county parks where TPWD stocks trout.
Harper Park
19125 FM 2034, Water Valley: The main facility can be reserved for $30 a day, the smaller building and RV slots for $25.
Mineral Wells Park
4807 Mineral Wells Rd., Christoval: Pocket park with river access, picnic tables, temporary bathroom available.
Mullins Crossing
6503 Mullins Crossing Rd., Miles: River access and plenty of room to spread out.
Pugh Park
20241 Toe Nail Trail, Christoval: River access, boat launch, good water for swimming and picnic areas. Temporary bathroom available.
Veribest Park
6199 Veribest Park Rd: Pavillion with picnic tables, benches, and grills. Available for $10 per day.
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