Dr. Charles B. Mckissick Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

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Summary

Charles B. McKissick Park is a beautiful park located in northeast Texas, in the city of Ennis. The park is named after Dr. Charles B. McKissick, who was a prominent African-American physician and civil rights leader in the area.

There are many good reasons to visit this park, including its peaceful atmosphere, scenic views, and numerous recreational activities. The park features a large lake, walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields, making it a great place to spend time with family and friends.

Some specific points of interest to see in the park include the fishing pier, which provides access to the lake for fishing enthusiasts, and the amphitheater, which hosts concerts and other events throughout the year. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful flower gardens and the park's natural scenery, which includes a variety of trees and wildlife.

Interesting facts about Dr. Charles B. McKissick Park include its history as a former ranch, which was donated to the city of Ennis in 1978. Since then, the park has undergone extensive renovations and improvements, including the addition of the lake and the construction of new facilities.

The best time of year to visit Dr. Charles B. McKissick Park depends on personal preferences, but the spring and fall are generally considered the most pleasant seasons, with mild temperatures and colorful foliage. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. However, the park is open year-round and offers something to see and do in any season.

       

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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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