Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
{{Short description|Park in Plano, TX}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
| photo = The Nature & Retreat Center at Oak Point Park in Plano, Texas, USA.jpg
| photo_caption = A pond located near The Nature & Retreat Center at Oak Point Park in Plano Texas
| map =
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|33.0574|N|96.6741|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| location = Plano, Texas
| area = 800 acres
| established =
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| governing_body =
| website = {{official website|https://www.plano.gov/1476/Oak-Point-Park-Nature-Preserve }}
}}
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is an 800-acre park in Plano, TX and is the largest park in the city. The park has 3.5 miles of concrete trails and 5 miles of soft trails, many of which are located along Rowlett Creek.
In the southeastern region of the park, there is an equestrian area where visitors can ride horses. There are 26 trails. The North Trail connects to the Six Cities Trail in Allen, which connects to the Bluebonnet Trail.{{Cite web |url=https://www.plano.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3768 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-09-13 |archive-date=2017-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122174757/http://plano.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3768 |url-status=dead }} Timber Chase Trail is a 0.88-mile trail which borders the main lake in the center of the park.{{cite web |url=https://www.plano.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/23 |title=Plano, TX - Official Website |website=www.plano.gov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502042640/http://www.plano.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/23 |archive-date=2014-05-02}}[https://www.plano.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14360 List of trails] Wildlife includes bobcats, coyotes, snakes, rabbits, turtles, and fish. Visitors can take the paved multi-use trail to the neighboring Bob Woodruff Park to see the oldest tree in Plano, a 200-year-old Bur Oak.{{Cite web|url=http://www.txhtc.org/tree/plano-bicentennial-bur-oak/|title = Plano Bicentennial Bur Oak}} The lake is open to kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding from sunrise to sunset.{{Cite web |url=https://www.plano.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25253 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-09-13 |archive-date=2017-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919085129/http://plano.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25253 |url-status=dead }}
The Amphitheater at Oak Point Park is an outdoor amphitheater that allows visitors to watch shows while enjoying the nature. The venue can hold up to 2500 guests and is the starting point for 5K walks in the park.{{cite web |url=https://www.plano.gov/414/Amphitheater-at-Oak-Point-Park |title=Amphitheater at Oak Point Park {{!}} Plano, TX - Official Website |website=www.plano.gov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420020924/http://www.plano.gov/414/Amphitheater-at-Oak-Point-Park |archive-date=2014-04-20}}
File:A wooded boardwalk trail in Oak Point Park in Plano, Texas, USA.jpg
Located right off Los Rios Boulevard, the Oak Point Park and Nature Retreat Center is a 7,000 square-foot gathering place for many auspicious events and outdoor education.{{cite web |url=http://www.plano.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Oak-Point-Park-Nature-Retreat-Center-56 |title=Plano, TX - Official Website |website=www.plano.gov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626222616/http://www.plano.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Oak-Point-Park-Nature-Retreat-Center-56 |archive-date=2015-06-26}}
The yearly Plano Balloon Festival is held at Oak Point Park and includes many fun activities such as hot air balloons, fireworks, and skydiving.
File:Rowlett Creek in Oak Point Park, Plano, Texas, USA.jpg
There are also many running/walking activities: 1K, 5K, Half-Marathon, and Relay Race.{{Cite web|url=http://www.planoballoonfest.org/p/about|title=Festival Facts}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.planoballoonfest.org/p/about/runs|title = Festival Runs}}
Go Ape is a 2-3 hour unique outdoor experience through the forest with many fascinating activities such as zip lines, Tarzan swings, and suspended obstacles like rail tracks.{{Cite web|url=https://goape.com/Locations/Texas/Plano|title=Find a Go Ape Location Close to You | Texas (Plano)}}