Parks & Recreation

Man riding bike on trail

Welcome to the City of Denton Parks and Recreation!

Our department maintains the City's recreational facilities and programs, outdoor athletic fields, parks, open spaces, natural areas, tree inventory, and the IOOF and Oakwood Cemeteries. We are proud to offer a wide range of activities, programs, and events for everyone!

Want to keep up-to-date on all Parks and Recreation news? Click here to sign up for our monthly newsletter!

  1. Parks & Recreation Calendar

  2. The latest events and programs from the Parks and Recreation department

September 2023

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  1. Parks & Recreation Blog

  2. The latest news and highlights from the Parks and Recreation department

  1. Trail with glow in the dark rocks
  2. Image of children at a piano
  3. Infographic
  4. A group of seniors out on a trip at a restaurant
  5. Two girls standing in front of a back to school party poster
  6. Denton Senior Playing Table Tennis
  7. Disc Golf Course
  8. Photo of the new tennis Sculpture at the Denton Tennis Center
  9. Spray Ground Design for Carl young park
  10. A person is holding three rocks
  11. Two Senior Center Members Painting a photo
  12. Avondale Park Bench
  13. Photo of Sequoia Park with Pavilion and playground with new features
  14. Story boards along a trail path
  15. Celebrate National Bird Day

    Thursday, May 4 is National Bird Day and here at the City of Denton, we do all we can to protect and celebrate the diverse population of birds in our ... Read on...
  16. Headshot of Vivian
  17. Dentist Standing in front of dental table
  18. Picture of Cinco de Mayo in floral decorative letters
  19. Denton Swim Lessons
  20. Head Shot of John
  21. Traffic Box Wrap Locations
  22. Denton Parks and Rec Blastball
  23. Volunteer
  24. Photo of Women from Asian Pacific Heritage Month Event
  25. Denton Bowling Green Map with planned updates

    Bowling Green Grant

    On August 1, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Department submitted a grant application to Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) for the Local Park Grant for i... Read on...
  26. River Otters in a field at Clear Creek at night

    Clear Creek has River Otters

    Yes, we have them at Clear Creek. There have been many occasions where something was spotted in the water, but determining whether it was a beaver, ot... Read on...
  27. Adapted Recreation making pizzas with a variety of people at five different tables

    Adapted Rec Bring's Recreation to All

    Adapted and Inclusive Recreation, or AIR, is the City’s Parks and Recreation program for individuals with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabi... Read on...
  28. Two women dressed up for Black History Month

    Black History Month

    Black History Month began as National Negro Week in 1926 and in 1976 President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month. Read on...
  29. Photo of woman wearing green shirt, volunteer highlight

    Parks and Recreation Volunteer Highlight

    Meet our Volunteer from the Denton Senior Center, Denise! Read on...
  30. Picture of heart and stethoscope

    Heart Health Month

    Your Heart is one of the most important organs in your body. Here are some easy tips to keep your heart healthy and ticking all year long! Read on...
  31. Picture of the New Kiddie Pool area at the water park

    Aquatics Water Park Project Update

    Cheers to another great week in Aquatics Off-Season! Read on...
  32. People doing Bodypump
  33. MLK poster
  34. New Recycling bins and trash cans

    Parks and Recreation Replaces Trash and Recycling Containers with a Grant

    The City of Denton Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) wanted to reduce the amount of litter in its parks while improving the amount of uncontamina... Read on...
  35. Santa in a back bend doing a yoga pose

    Healthy Holidays

    The holidays can be a fun and festive time, but it comes with its own stresses and challenges; this is especially true when it comes to our health! Read on...
  36. Thanksgiving health and fitness word cloud

    Healthy Thanksgiving

    Colder weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and Thanksgiving feasts. Here are a few ways to keep health and fitness a priority as the season changes from su... Read on...
  37. Hand holding a kdb card in front of trees

    Tree Giveaway Wrap Up

    Keep Denton Beautiful (KDB) hosted its 24th Annual Community Tree Giveaway on Saturday, Oct. 22. At the drive-thru event, 700 trees were distributed t... Read on...
  38. Person placing a wreath on a grave of a veteran

    Wreaths Across America

    Wreaths Across America is a program whose mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach. Annually, Wreaths Across America partners with various civic organi... Read on...
  39. Halloween photo with shoes, pumpkins, and exercise equipment

    Healthy Halloween

    Colder weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and Halloween candy. Here are a few ways to keep health and fitness a priority as the season changes from summer... Read on...
  40. People gathered around a pond for a walk
  41. Map of Cole Ranch Neighborhood Park

    Cole Ranch Neighborhood Park

    On September 12, the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification board adopted the conceptual master plan for the neighborhood park of Cole Ranch, phase 1. Read on...
  42. Birthday Balloons spelling happy birthday

    Parks and Recreation Rental Spaces Available

    Host your child’s next birthday party at one of Denton’s recreation centers! Our 1 ½ hour birthday packages include a decorated party room, your choic... Read on...
  43. Mountain Bike Trail

    Mountain Bike Trail

    Last November the City of Denton, Parks and Recreation and biking community celebrated the official grand opening of the Hartlee Field Mountain Bike T... Read on...
  44. A woman performing squats while at the gym

    Women's Health and Fitness Day

    Recognizing that women have specific needs when it comes to health and wellness, National Women's Health and Fitness Day was established in 2002 and i... Read on...
  45. KR Bluestem growing tall around headstones in IOOF Cemetery Denton, TX

    Lawn Management and the Challenges of KR Bluestem

    KR Bluestem is a difficult grass to manage because it grows at an incredible rate – as much as two to three feet in as little as seven or ten days. Ev... Read on...

Our Mission

To unite and grow lives by preserving parks and encouraging play. 
UNITE internally and within the community, GROW lives physically, mentally, and emotionally, PRESERVE parks by being good stewards, ENCOURAGE PLAY 

Our Vision

Parks and Recreation is responsible for fostering a sense of community and enhancing the quality of life of residents and visitors by providing recreational, educational, and wellness opportunities; supporting Denton's economic vitality through special events, and providing beautiful, well-maintained parks and public spaces while being good stewards of the environment.

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  1. Parks & Recreation


    Physical Address
    Denton Civic Center
    321 E McKinney Street
    Denton, TX 76201



  1. Gary Packan

    Parks and Recreation Director

  1. Fince Espinoza

    Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation

  1. Nikki Sassenus

    Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation

Inclusion Means Everyone Plays!

The City of Denton Parks and Recreation is committed to creating and promoting inclusion across all public spaces, places, facilities, and programs the department manages. Through the Inclusion Statement and supporting practices, we aim to ensure access to the benefits of quality parks and recreation for everyone, including individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, the LGBTQ community, racial and ethnic minorities, and refugees and immigrants.

For more information on disability-focused programs and inclusion in all programs, contact the Adapted and Inclusive Recreation Coordinator, Mia Macy, through email at [email protected] or by phone at (940) 349-7757.

For information on ADA accommodations requests, visit the City of Denton Americans with Disabilities Act webpage.