Centennial Park turned the old courthouse blocks into Midland's downtown lawn

Centennial Park tells you, fast, that downtown Midland wanted a place to gather. The park sits beside the Bush Convention Center, on land once used by the courthouse and Centennial Plaza.

It has a Great Lawn, Stage Pavilion, splash pad, fountain, dog park, game tables, cafe seating, a kiosk, and nature play for kids.

That makes the block feel like downtown's open room. People come for lunch, concerts, shade, and a little grass in the middle of the oil city.