Doug Russell Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Located in the state of Texas, Doug Russell Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.


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Summary

The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and camping. There are several reasons to visit Doug Russell Park, including its scenic beauty, diverse flora and fauna, and tranquil atmosphere.

One of the main attractions in the park is the lake, which is home to a variety of fish species. Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck at catching catfish, bass, and crappie. Visitors can also enjoy hiking along the park's nature trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

In addition to its natural beauty, Doug Russell Park is also home to several historical landmarks. The park's amphitheater is a popular venue for concerts and other events, while the WPA-built bathhouse is an architectural marvel that harkens back to the park's early days.

Interesting facts about Doug Russell Park include its status as the only city-owned park in Midland, Texas, and its connection to the Civilian Conservation Corps, which played a key role in the park's development.

The best time of year to visit Doug Russell Park is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the park's foliage is at its most vibrant. However, visitors can enjoy the park's amenities year-round, as long as they are prepared for the hot Texas summers and occasional cold snaps in the winter.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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