Bluebonnet Park is Ennis's everyday outdoor room

Bluebonnet Park sits at 201 S. US-287 in Ennis. Its 47 acres were designed mainly for youth baseball and softball, and eight lighted diamonds make that purpose easy to see. Ten acres of open grass, playgrounds, a covered pavilion, picnic gazebos, concession stands, and restrooms fill out the athletic side of the park.

Then the park changes pace. A large fishing pond sits beside a three-quarter-mile walking trail. The pond and path turn a place built around scheduled games into somewhere that also works for a quiet lap, a fishing stop, or time outside while another part of the family is on a diamond.

That two-speed layout is the memorable part. On one side are lights, teams, and tournament fields. On the other are water, a trail, and room to slow down. Ennis put both kinds of afternoon in the same city park rather than making every visitor choose the same activity.