Ratliff Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ratliff Park is a popular park located in the city of Odessa, Texas.


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Summary

It covers an area of approximately 35 acres and features a variety of amenities that make it a great place to visit for people of all ages.

Some of the reasons why Ratliff Park is worth visiting include its playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails, and sports facilities. It also has a lake that is perfect for fishing, as well as a skate park and BMX track for those who enjoy more extreme sports.

Some of the specific points of interest that visitors may want to see while at the park include the War Memorial Wall, which honors veterans from Ector County, and the West Texas Walk of Fame, which highlights notable people from the region.

Interesting facts about Ratliff Park include that it was named in honor of James E. Ratliff, a local businessman who contributed to the development of the park, and that it was once a landfill before being transformed into a recreational area.

The best time of year to visit Ratliff Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and most of the park's facilities are open. However, it can be enjoyed year-round, with summer being a popular time for swimming and other water activities.

Overall, Ratliff Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Odessa area, offering a range of activities and attractions that are sure to please visitors of all interests.

       

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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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