Cartwright Park gives Weatherford a lake inside a working city park

Cartwright Park sits at 204 Cartwright Park Road, far enough from the courthouse square to feel like Weatherford is opening back out into Parker County. The park covers 150 acres, and Sunshine Lake sits at the center of it. The lake is 30 acres, with a boat ramp and trolling motors allowed instead of large motors. That keeps the water quieter than a powerboat lake, even with fields nearby.

That makes Cartwright more than a sports complex. Weatherford's soccer association uses 14 irrigated fields there, and the park also has a softball field, picnic areas, all-purpose fields, and open space. The playground is fenced, a small but welcome detail beside so much open ground. A family can come for league play and still end up near the water, which is a very Parker County blend of organized recreation and rougher local landscape.

The wildlife list gives the place its color. Wild turkey, whitetail deer, fox, armadillos, and coyotes all show up in the city's park description. Cartwright keeps that open ground inside Weatherford, close to league fields and Sunshine Lake.