Allen residents looking for somewhere to cool off, get moving, or wear out the dog have roughly a dozen outdoor options in and near the city, from splash pads and pools to more than 102 miles of hike-and-bike trails.
Here's what's open and what it costs:
Water
Ford Pool (724 Whitman Drive) — Lap swimming, a 20-foot water slide, and cabana rentals. Admission is free with a membership, $3 for Allen residents, $5 for non-residents. Open 1–6 p.m. Monday–Thursday and Sunday, 1–7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Celebration Park splash pad — Interactive water features plus playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails. Check allentx.gov for current hours.
Active
The Edge at Allen Station Park (201 St. Mary Dr.) — A large outdoor skate park with areas for skateboards, scooters, roller skates, and BMX bikes, plus two full-size hockey rinks. Open 8 a.m.–11 p.m. daily; BMX track open 8 a.m. to dusk, according to the city's recreation website. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Pickleball at Armor Brewing (9 Prestige Circle) — Courts rent for $20 per hour; paddles and balls provided. Open 3–10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday.
Pickleball at Chicken N Pickle (1221 Johnson Road) — Covered outdoor courts available for 30-minute to two-hour rentals, plus shuffleboard, cornhole, and ping pong. Open 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Wednesday and Sunday, 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Thursday, 7 a.m.–midnight Friday–Saturday.
Disc golf at Bethany Lakes Park — A nine-hole course with water challenges and a 200-foot tunnel. Bring your own discs.
Fishing at Bethany Lakes Park — Shoreline fishing at several ponds. Texas residents over 17 need a valid fishing license.
The Golf Club at Twin Creeks — An 18-hole course with five lakes and two natural creeks. Book nine or 18 holes; restaurant on-site.
Nature and trails
Allen trail system — More than 102 miles of connected trails, which the city says is the highest per-capita mileage in Collin County at roughly 0.9 miles per 1,000 residents. The Rowlett Creek Trail extension, reported by Star Local Media in June, will add 1.6 miles by the end of 2027.
The Bark Yard (510 S. Jupiter Road) — Free admission. Separate areas for large and small dogs, drinking fountains, shaded spots, and agility features. Open 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Thursday–Tuesday; closed Wednesdays for maintenance.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary (1 Nature Place, McKinney) — A 289-acre site with a native Texas butterfly garden and outdoor trails. Admission: $16 adults, $12 children, $14 seniors, free for children under 2. Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, 1–5 p.m. Sunday; no entry after 4 p.m., per the museum's website. Closed Mondays.
What's next: The city's public survey on the Trails Master Plan update is open through July 31, at engage.allentx.gov. Concerts by the Creek continue every Saturday in July on the Village Green at Watters Creek, with performances by GenXiles and GOODnGONE still on the schedule.
