Plan Your Day in Lucy Park

If you live in or visit Wichita Falls, Texas, you can experience an array of natural beauty. Lucy Park, for example, is one of the town’s most popular places to enjoy the fresh air, either alone or with loved ones. The 176-acre park set in a riverbed was founded in the 1960s and named after Mrs. Lucy O. Saunders, a famed female oil operator. Here at Herb Easley Chevrolet, we’ve compiled some of the most exciting things to do and see in Lucy Park.

Swim and Sunbathe

If you love swimming, you’ll have a great day in the water at Lucy Park. The large public swimming pool provides the perfect place to cool off from June to August. The pool’s facilities are well-maintained, and lifeguards are on duty to keep swimmers of all experience levels safe. Simply bring appropriate swimming attire and some sunscreen to relax on a hot afternoon in the Texas sun. During the summer, the pool is open from noon to 6 p.m. seven days a week and costs $3 for adults and $2 for minors.

Visit The Falls

The man-made waterfall at Lucy Park paints a heavenly scene. The 54-foot cascade was constructed in 1987 on the Wichita River. To visit The Falls, park in the designated area and walk or ride your bike one mile down a well-paved path. The beautifully landscaped area offers plenty of shade, even on hot days. The Lucy Park waterfall is a popular spot for photo shoots, so bring your camera if you want to capture memorable moments. If you’re lucky, you might spot turtles popping their heads above the water.

Play Disc Golf

Lucy Park is home to an 18-hole disc golf course that winds through green spaces and tree clusters throughout the grounds. Bring your own Frisbees and a group of friends to try your skills at this fun golf-inspired game on a nice day. All you have to do is drive, chip, and putt your way to each “hole.” As with golf, the player with the lowest total score at the end of play wins.

Picnic or Party at the Shelter

Two spacious shelters and one cabin are available if you want to enjoy a picnic or host a special event at the park. One shelter fits 20 tables and can hold approximately 120 people. The other features 14 tables and can seat up to 84 people. A log cabin for special events holds 55 people. You can reserve any of the three structures for meetings, parties, and family picnics, depending on the size of your entourage. Rent the large shelter for four hours for only $15. You’ll also have access to the restrooms, playgrounds, and ball courts nearby.

If you want to grill out for your picnic in the park, claim one of the 34 barbecue grills around the property. Bring a plate of burgers back to your shelter, or find a quiet spot under a tree to enjoy an intimate meal.

Go for a Hike

Lucy Park is an excellent place to go for a leisurely hike, no matter your fitness level. The main trail is a 2-mile paved loop around the park. Numerous shorter paths branch off from this main one and take hikers, walkers, and joggers past attractions such as the Japanese pagoda and the suspension bridge over the river. A half-mile dirt trail takes visitors to The Falls. Leashed dogs are allowed on all park trails, so let your pooch get some exercise, as well.

Play Volleyball

If you want to get in on some competitive fun, challenge your friends to a game of volleyball. Lucy Park has three volleyball courts for visitors to play on: one concrete and two sand. Most of the volleyball tournaments in Wichita Falls take place here, so you might find yourself observing an exciting match rather than playing one. When the courts are empty, however, they’re fair game.

Go for a Bike Ride

Lucy Park’s 2-plus miles of paved paths are open to cyclists, too. The beginner-friendly trails are perfect for families and casual bike rides. If you’re committed to a longer ride, however, the park is the launching point for the city’s Circle Trail system. The rail-trail includes more than 20 miles of pristine 10-foot-wide bike paths. You’ll share Lucy Park and Circle Trail’s paths with walkers, joggers, and rollerbladers, but you won’t encounter any motorized vehicles, making these routes safe cycling options.

Watch the Birds

If you are a bird-watching enthusiast, Lucy Park doesn’t disappoint. The nearby Wichita River and centrally located pond provide a natural atmosphere and habitat for species such as geese, ducks, and waterfowl. You can sit on the benches near the pond or walk around to spot the birds in their hideouts. You can also visit the Nature Center to look for native species such as blue jays, cardinals, mockingbirds, woodpeckers, robins, red-winged blackbirds and wrens.

Visit the Nature Center

If you want to get even closer to nature, visit the River Bend Nature Center, which covers 15 acres of Lucy Park right along 3rd Street. Its attractions include the Bryant Edwards Learning Center, which has live exhibits showcasing amphibians, insects, and more; the 7,000-square-foot glass Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly and Nature Conservatory; and Peyton’s Place butterfly enclosure. Nature trails take visitors through the Center’s 15 acres of wetlands and bottomland forest, where you might spy wildlife such as raccoons and foxes.

The Nature Center makes for a fantastic family outing. If you have kids, stop by the Children’s Garden to admire the pond and flowers and even dig for dinosaur bones. Admission costs $6 for adults and $5 for children, and the facility is open daily.

Now you know all about Herb Easley Chevrolet’s favorite things to do and see at Lucy Park in Wichita Falls. Use this list to plan a daylong outing with friends or family. If we missed one of your favorite park activities or attractions, contact us, and we’ll add it to our list.

Tags: Lucy Park, Nature
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