Long Branch Park

Park Overview

Located in Killeen, Texas, Long Branch Park sprawls across an impressive 66 acres of community-focused green space. This expansive park offers a wide variety of activities, whether you're looking to break a sweat or just enjoy a peaceful afternoon outdoors.

The park's centerpiece is Long Branch Creek, which meanders through the grounds, adding a touch of natural charm to your visit. While it's not exactly a dense forest, there are plenty of shady spots thanks to a large pavilion and trees scattered throughout. What really stands out are the wide, open spaces ideal for family picnics, frisbee games, or just lounging on a blanket with a good book.

Recreational Facilities

Parents, you'll appreciate the covered playgrounds that offer a reprieve from that relentless Texas sun. The play areas cater to kids of all ages, featuring eight different slides and plenty of swings. The equipment is well-maintained and designed with accessibility in mind, so children of all abilities can join in the fun.

If you're more of the athletic type, Long Branch Park offers several options. The grounds house several well-kept basketball courts, tennis courts (complete with lighting for those evening matches), baseball fields, and soccer fields. Local skaters flock to the skate park, but fair warning - the bowl section could use a little TLC according to regular visitors.

Water Features

When summer hits and temperatures soar, the park's outdoor swimming pool becomes the place to be. Open daily from June through August, it's a steal at just $2 per person.

Right next to the pool, you can find a free splash pad that's wheelchair accessible and well-suited for little ones to cool off. Both water features are generally well-maintained, but sometimes the splash pad's water pressure decides to take it easy.

Trails and Natural Features

Feeling like a stroll? The park's winding trails and newer walkway paths provide an excellent setting for a morning jog, an afternoon walk, or a leisurely bike ride. These paths let you explore the park's natural beauty while getting your steps in.

The open grassy areas are plentiful at Long Branch Park, giving you all the space you need for kite flying, frisbee tossing, or dog walking (just remember to keep your furry friends leashed). The park is so spacious that you can have a dozen different activities happening without anyone getting in each other's way.

Picnic and Gathering Spaces

Planning a get-together? The park's large pavilion is available for rent and works perfectly for birthday parties or family reunions. Not looking for anything that formal? No problem - individual picnic tables are scattered around the park, many with their own shelters to keep the sun at bay.

You'll come across barbecue grills available for public use, but here's a pro tip: while there are garbage cans around, they're not at every picnic spot, so bringing your own garbage bag might save you some back-and-forth trips. The picnic areas are thoughtfully spread out, giving you both a sense of privacy and easy access to other amenities.

Amenities and Facilities

When nature calls, you can find clean restrooms throughout the park. They're generally well-maintained and stocked, but they can get pretty toasty inside due to limited air circulation. Note that the restrooms typically close at 8 PM.

Dog owners will be happy to know the park is dog-friendly, with plenty of room for your four-legged companions to stretch their legs (on leash, of course). And no need to worry about parking - there's plenty of it across the grounds, making it easy to access different areas of this expansive park.

Long Branch Park is a popular spot in Killeen. With its diverse amenities and generous open spaces, the park attracts families, sports enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike. Recent improvements have made it an even better place for outdoor recreation in the area.