Set in the heart of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S., the Park Cities region of Dallas is a highly affluent suburban island. It’s anchored by two of North Texas' most notable cities: Highland Park and University Park.

The primary address to a who's who of Dallas' elite business, social, and sporting class, Park Cities has exceptional schools, elegant, upscale dining, and trendy, high-end shopping. The streets of the Park Cities crisscross between medians of expansive green space underneath a lush canopy of mature trees. University Park, the larger of the two communities, is particularly noteworthy and home to Southern Methodist University (SMU).

At fewer than four square miles, University Park is by no means extensive. But its beautiful natural setting is surrounded on three sides by Dallas' urban sprawl and offers residents a genuine 2,400-acre oasis. The City of  University Park manages 12 of 13 local parks. Its ultra-convenient location (ten minutes to downtown Dallas, 20 minutes to Plano, 30 minutes to DFW International Airport) puts residents just a few miles from several of Dallas' most celebrated recreational areas. It’s a true retreat in the ever-expanding Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

Below are seven of University Park’s best public parks and recreational spaces.

Burleson Park is near the community's eastern border along University Boulevard. Located within SMU's 237-acre footprint, the park's design has active students and neighborhood families in mind.

Situated on 4.5-acres, the 75-year-old green space features many athletic amenities, including a baseball field, a basketball court specifically aimed at younger players, a practice soccer field, and two lighted tennis courts. The large playground is a hit with kids and parents, with equipment for five to 12-year-olds and a small play area for younger toddlers. Both have a rubberized surface for extra safety.

The real draw of Burleson Park, though, is its location. An easy walk from many homes in University Park's southeastern corner, the park is an excellent stopover for those walking or jogging across SMU's beautiful tree-lined campus. From the park, you're also just a 20-minute walk to the northern entrance to Dallas' Katy Trail, a 3.5-mile multipurpose trail that takes you directly into Victory Park.

At 6.8-acres, Caruth Park is the second largest of the city-managed park spaces. Located in the heart of northern University Park, the park is in the middle of one of the city's most idyllic residential areas, between Turtle Creek Boulevard and Hillcrest Avenue. The park boasts two tennis courts, a large soccer field, a turf T-ball field, and numerous picnic areas— a major draw for youth activities.

Caruth Park includes dual playgrounds that sit underneath massive solar shades. Combined, these play areas make up the largest children's play area in University Park. The other highlight is the large pond in the center of the park. Fishing here is highly encouraged, especially among the park's younger visitors. The serene, well-stocked lake contains bass, bluegill, and catfish.

Although a major hive of activity, Caruth Park's somewhat isolated location makes for a relatively peaceful recreational experience. The walking and jogging path functions as a secluded one-mile loop (when utilizing adjacent sidewalks just outside the park), perfect for getting your day off on the right foot or winding down in the evening.

For the first 25 years of its existence, Coffee Park was known as Northcrest Park, a nod to the park's far north location along the Northwest Highway—University Park's northern border. Rededicated in 1979 to honor the city's longest-serving mayor, Coffee Park includes nearly four acres of recreational green space.

Renovations in 2009 gave the park a considerable facelift, including a new quarter-mile-long path system, a massive playground with fully shaded seating and play areas, and a vast main lawn that doubles as a portion of the baseball diamond's outfield. Mature trees frame the park's interior, as dioramas showcasing the history of University Park dot the outer walking path.

Coffee Park is a surprisingly tranquil setting, given its location bordering Northwest Highway. A sound wall helps to mute the traffic running along Loop 12.

Sitting near the geographic center of University Park, adjacent to where Lover's Lane and Turtle Creek Boulevard intersect, the 9.5-acre Curtis Park is the largest in the University Park-managed system. It also features the most impressive list of amenities.

Curtis Park is a genuine neighborhood gathering spot. Amenities include two lighted tennis courts, a shaded playground, a baseball diamond and soccer field, half-mile-long walking paths, and ample space to sit and relax. As with several other University Park recreation areas, Curtis Park includes a Turtle Creek feed pond, which is open for fishing and stocked with bass and catfish.

The real highlight, though, is the presence of the Holmes Aquatic Center, unquestionably the most popular spot come summer. The aquatic center provides residents with a 50-meter pool, one-and three-meter diving boards, a twisting waterslide, and a separate two-foot deep wading pool and splash pad for the center's youngest swimmers. This wonderful summer amenity is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with an extended month for Seniors to enjoy the pool without younger kids.

Less of an actual park and more of an athletic performance facility, Germany Park is the track and field equivalent to the Holmes Aquatic Center. Tucked into University Park's western border, where University Boulevard crosses over the Dallas North Tollway, the park is easy to access from much of the city's western neighborhoods.

The facility includes a public use six-lane rubber surface running track, a soccer field, and several fitness areas. There are two lighted tennis courts. The Highland Park High School track and soccer teams frequent Germany Park for practice and training (there are also stations for field events).

Although Germany Park is popular with adult University Park residents to stay in shape, Davis Park, immediately south of the running track, offers a fully shaded playground, swing set, and sitting areas for families to relax after getting a workout.

Technically, Goar Park and Williams Park are two separate green spaces. The former is at 6601 Vassar Drive, the latter at 3801 University Boulevard, but the parks sit directly across University Boulevard from each other.

The proximity creates the impression of a single continuous plot—Goar's open lawns and groves of Live Oaks blending seamlessly with Williams' centerpiece Turtle Creek fed lake. University Boulevard bridges an extension of the lake and Turtle Creek itself. Goar Park is the larger of the two parks at nearly five acres. It serves as the backdrop to the University Park City Hall, which sits at the corner of Vasser and University, overlooking both parks.

Goar first opened in 1947 and has long been a favorite of residents thanks to its jogging and walking trails which feed directly into the surrounding neighborhood's tree-lined sidewalks. Two practice soccer fields and ample picnic spots make this a family-centric park that features one of the most beautifully landscaped portions of the five-mile-long Turtle Creek. The park's open-air gazebo is a popular spot for weddings and outdoor concerts.

The 2.6-acre Williams Park boasts one of University Park's most picturesque settings. In addition to the lake, which features two fishing piers, the recreational space includes two lighted tennis courts, an expansive playground with a rubberized surface and equipment for both toddlers and bigger kids, and areas to picnic.

However, what stands out most is an iconic sculpture that sits on an island in the middle of Williams Park lake.

 

Gifted to University Park in 2019 as a long-term loan from a local couple, Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture stands as one of the most unique art pieces anywhere in Dallas. Approximately 25 such LOVE sculptors are on display in the U.S., with the University Park monument one of the only two in Texas. The other is at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas.

Though not officially part of University Park's city-managed network of parks, one of the community's most stunning outdoor areas is a prominent fixture of one of Texas' most celebrated museums.

Located on the SMU campus, the 15-acre Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park is a thoughtful recreation of several native Texas landscapes. The park offers visitors the chance to experience Blackland Prairie, Cross Timbers Forest, and Post Oak Savannah. A mile-long trail meanders through the various environments that showcase native grasses, seasonal wildflowers, including the state's famous Bluebonnets, indigenous limestone, and habitats that support birds, butterflies, and other species that thrive within the Lone Star State.

Reach out to Darla Ripley to begin your Dallas home buying or selling journey. From magnificent University Park homes for sale to North Dallas and Preston Hollow real estate, allow Darla’s local expertise to be your guide to the Park Cities luxury real estate market. Contact Darla and her team of Dallas real estate professionals today!