Fun That’s As Big As All Outdoors
Published Dec 04, 2008
On any afternoon in the Heart of Texas, it isn’t hard to find outdoor enthusiasts breezing along on a boat or getting their heart rate up on a riverside trail.
“There’s a little bit of a lot of different activities for people to do their own thing,” says Rusty Black, director of Waco Parks and Recreation.
Bass fishing, golfing and bike trails are among the region’s most consistent draws for out-of-towners and residents alike.
Cameron Park, an expanse of nearly 600 acres stretching along the Bosque and Brazos rivers, is a focal point of Waco’s outdoor recreation scene. Visitors to the park not only enjoy greenways for walking and riding, but also scenic overlooks, nature observation areas, the Cameron Park Zoo, historical sites and river access.
“I could go on and on about Cameron Park,” says Susan Morton, tourism sales manager at the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is such a unique park with something for everyone. You can just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery or be as active as you want to be.”
A weekend rarely goes by that the city doesn’t get inquiries about Cameron Park’s renowned bike trails from riding enthusiasts in Austin or Dallas, says Black. A recent national biking magazine featured one trail from each state, and the Cameron Park trails represented all of Texas.
“They’re probably one of the biggest attractions in the park system that bring folks from out of town,” Black says.
Summers in the Heart of Texas can be rather toasty, but that’s no reason to sit inside.
Lakes Whitney, Limestone and Waco each offer a variety of cool activities, including swimming, kayaking, fishing and camping. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts enjoy the Lake Waco Wetlands, which feature a 6-acre nursery that is home to water lilies, bulrush, duck potato and a variety of other aquatic plants. Within the nature area, the local Audubon Society has documented more than 130 species of birds.
Another attractive recreation activity is nearby Fort Parker State Park and Confederate Reunion Grounds in Mexia, a 1,500-acre complex that includes oak woodlands and Fort Parker Lake.
In the Heart of Texas, the outdoors isn’t a place you pass between buildings and cars: it’s a destination all its own.
“I love the scenery and climate for the same reasons I love being a Texan,” Morton says. “Go in any direction and you will see something completely different.
“If you head in one direction, you see the beautiful rivers and lakes with amazing cliff views. Head the other direction and you will find prairie land. The hardest part about playing outside here is knowing which direction to set out in first.”
Story by Michaela Jackson
Photo by Jesse Knish
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