Dunbar Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Dunbar Park is a public park located in Lubbock, Texas.


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Summary

It is named after Paul Laurence Dunbar, a famous African-American poet, novelist, and playwright. The park features a variety of recreational activities and amenities, including a swimming pool, basketball courts, picnic areas, and a playground. It is a popular destination for families, sports enthusiasts, and outdoor enthusiasts.

One of the main attractions at Dunbar Park is its pool, which is open during the summer months. The pool features a slide, diving board, and lap lanes, as well as a shallow area for children. Additionally, there are several basketball courts and a sand volleyball court available for use.

There are also several picnic areas throughout the park, as well as a covered pavilion that can be reserved for special events. For children, there is a large playground with swings, slides, and climbing structures.

Interesting facts about Dunbar Park include its historical significance as a gathering place for African-American residents during the era of segregation. It was one of the few parks in the area where Black individuals could gather and socialize without fear of discrimination.

The best time to visit Dunbar Park is during the summer months when the pool is open and the weather is warm. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Overall, Dunbar Park is a great place to visit in Lubbock, Texas, for those looking for outdoor recreation and a glimpse into the area's history.

       

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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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