Mary Jo Peckham Park for Children: 30 Miles from Houston

Mary Jo Peckham Park began as a private indoor swimming pool, for the exclusive use of it members. However, the private group effort failed and foreclosure occurred. Harris County bought the pool, parking lot and six acres of land. In 1991, renovations were made and the Mary Jo Peckham Park for all Children opened. The renovations were designed to provide enjoyment for children and families, as well as older people and those with disabilities.

The park now occupies 32 acres. Additional features have been made including a large playground with several different play structures; both toddler and regular swing sets; a miniature golf course that includes putters for young children; picnic pavilion; gazebo; well-stocked fishing lake where you can also feed the ducks; a lighted walking trail; public restrooms both in the community center which houses an exercise room and indoor pool and outside along the walking trail; several picnic tables; grills; and a tropical fish pond.

The community center offers classes in Yoga, Karate, Fitness Machines, Qigong, Cardio Muscular Training, and Blood Pressure screening. The indoor pool offers free swims, water exercise, American Red Cross lessons, and Arthritis Swim Lessons. It also offers a variety of workshops including Babysitting basics, Adult CPR, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid Basics. Visit their webpage for information on any of these services or to find out when you can free swim.

This park is located at 5597 Gardenia Ave., Katy TX in Old Katy. One of the best things about the park is that all the activities and events are free. You do need to be a resident of Harris County and complete a registration form to obtain your membership. Your Driver's License is used a form of identification. You may use the outdoor park at any time.

The outdoor park is so large you can easily spend the entire day there. It is perfect for a relaxing day with the family or the gazebo and larger picnic pavilion may be reserved for private/larger parties. Picnic tables and grills are strategically placed both near and far from the play ground area, so that parents may carefully keep and comfortably keep an eye on their children. If spending the day, pack a lunch as well as a package of stale bread. Take a few minutes out of your play time to go visit the ducks and feed them. They are quite friendly. There is also a fishing dock or you may fish from the land along the lake. Fishing poles are not available, so be sure to bring your own.

If you enjoy miniature golf you can obtain putters, balls, pencils and score cards inside the community center. This service is free also. You are asked to leave your identification when you borrow the supplies, to make sure you take the time to return them.

When we visited there it was a beautiful fall day with only a few of the leaves changing. There was music coming for several of the occupied picnic tables; Latin and Middle Eastern, and Rock and Roll. It wasn't too loud, just enough to enjoy the diversity of the park as you walked through it. If you are staying any length of time on the weekends, be sure to pack some food as the mouthwatering smells coming from the grills will be enough to send you straight to the nearest restaurant as soon as you can. One party was doing traditional bbq with hamburgers and hotdogs, while another group was grilling shish kabobs.

As a stay at home mom, I am always looking for ways for the children and myself to get some exercise, relax and play safely as well as meet some friends or have a playdate. Mary Jo Peckham Park is one of those places where I can do it all. Even the hard to please teenager is happy - due mostly to the indoor pool and open swim times.

For more information on Peckham Park be sure to visit my slideshowto view more of the great family opportunities there.