Area Recreation

Space, especially green space, is becoming increasingly scarce in the DFW Metroplex. Fortunately, Midlothian officials are working on a new Comprehensive Plan and are listening to the residents. When surveyed by the Steering Committee, residents ranked a citywide trail network and an expansion in the number of parks and recreation facilities in Midlothian as some of the most important projects for the city to pursue. With over 85 acres in parks already available within the city, Midlothian is able to offer many opportunities for recreation and enjoyment of the area’s abundant natural beauty. On evenings and weekends, Midlothian’s parks come alive with children laughing and playing on playgrounds and the athletic fields are teaming with community athletic clubs playing baseball, soccer, basketball, football, or tennis.

The Midlothian Chamber of Commerce also offers several festivals and attractions throughout the year. The Chamber sponsors the Annual Spring Fling, Business Expo, Easter Egg Hunt, Golf Tournament, Community Auction, Fall Festival, and Holiday Light-Up Parade.

Other annual events include the Annual Mid-Way Regional Airport Pancake Breakfast Fly-in in June. The Lions’ Club and the airport staff provide the family with a feast of pancakes as well as a feast for the eyes as over 50 planes fly in. The event also includes military and civilian vintage aircraft, vehicles on display by Midlothian Classic Wheels, discovery flights and plane rides, remote-controlled fliers and more. The annual July 4th fireworks show sponsored by Citizens National Bank shouldn’t be missed and is definitely on of the best in the area. The Gryphon Toy Run, a motorcycle run that starts in downtown Midlothian and goes to Sokol Hall on Highway 34 in Ennis has been an annual event for over 20 years. This holiday event has been listed as one of the Top 10 runs in the nation by Easy Rider Magazine and is ranked one of the top three in Texas.

The Midlothian Conference Center is host to many events as well, such as the Festival of Flowers in the spring, the Annual Quilt Show in the summer, and the Festival of Trees during the holidays. The halls of the Conference Center have also become a gallery for local professional and amateur artists of Ellis County. Some of the works are for sale; others are simply displayed for all to enjoy.

For those looking for a local retreat, Camp Hoblitzelle is the right place. Owned and operated by the Salvation Army, Camp Hoblitzelle's location and facilities make it the perfect place for spiritual retreats, training conferences, youth rallies, marriage enrichment retreats and team-building events. Horseback riding, a private lake, sports complex, and Olympic size pool along with many other amenities make this the perfect setting to plan your organization’s event.

If you want to spend the day at the lake, you need only travel a few minutes to Joe Pool Lake and Cedar Hill State Park, which offers fishing, boating, camping and water sports, as well as hiking and mountain biking. 2 million annual visitors make this state park the second most visited recreation area in the state.

For those seeking metropolitan entertainment and recreation, Dallas, the Mid Cities, and Fort Worth are all less than 30 minutes away from Midlothian. The Mort Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth or American Airlines Center all offer a variety of venues for your entertainment pleasure. In fact, there are unlimited entertainment and recreational opportunities in the surrounding DFW area ranging from atriums to zoos.

Midlothian has scores of fun things to do, for in its 52-square miles, you’ll find friendly people, an outstanding quality of life with many social, entertainment, and recreational possibilities. Here you really have the best of both worlds – small community living with a metropolitan lifestyle.