Editing Lancaster, Texas (section)

== Parks and recreation ==
The responsibilities of Lancaster's Parks and Recreation Department include park maintenance, recreation programs, and management of recreational facilities.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lancaster-tx.com/index.aspx?NID=123 | title = Parks & Recreation | work = About the Parks & Recreation Department | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref>

=== Parks ===
The system of public parks in Lancaster covers more than 600 acres.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lancaster-tx.com/index.aspx?NID=219 | title = Parks Division | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref>  The 170-acre Lancaster Community Park is the most-used park in the city. It features a 6-acre pond known as Contemplation Lake with a fishing pier, lighted football and soccer fields, hiking/biking trails, playground, amphitheater, and the Royce Clayton Baseball Field, which has a covered grandstand that can seat 500 spectators.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://tx-lancaster.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/117 | title = Lancaster Community Park | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref> The Recreation Center, Senior Life Center, Library, and Public Safety Building are located in the park.

Lancaster City Park is another highly used park in the city with four baseball/softball fields, two playgrounds, two tennis courts, a basketball court, walking trail, and an off-leash area for dogs. The park also has two concession stands and two large pavilions, each with 15 tables.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://tx-lancaster.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/116 | title = Lancaster City Park | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref> The Cedardale Park and Complex in northern Lancaster contains baseball/softball fields, a basketball court, playground, and concession stand.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://tx-lancaster.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/115 | title = Cedardale Park & Complex | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref> There are smaller neighborhood parks located throughout the city with playgrounds and other amenities. They are J.A. Dewberry Park, Jaycee Park, Kids Square Park, Meadowcreek Park, Rocky Crest Park, Stanford Park, and Verona Park. Heritage Park, which contains an iconic gazebo, is located north of the historic town square in downtown Lancaster.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://tx-lancaster.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/118 | title = Heritage Park | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref> The newest addition to the park system is the 2.4 mile Pleasant Run Hike and Bike Trail, which opened in the spring of 2010 and is routed through neighborhoods in central Lancaster.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lancaster-tx.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/119 | title = Pleasant Run Hike & Bike Trail | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref>

Two [[Nature reserve|nature preserves]] have been established in Lancaster, Bear Creek Nature Park and the Ten Mile Creek Preserve. The 189-acre Bear Creek Nature Park was created on land purchased with a $500,000 matching grant from the [[Texas Parks and Wildlife Department]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lancaster-tx.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/58 | title = City of Lancaster 2007-2008 Annual Budget | publisher = City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref> Features of the park site include equestrian and walking trails with interpretive signage, a fishing pond, climbing rock, [[Butterfly gardening|butterfly garden]], and a large pavilion for picnics.<ref name="Community Information"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lancaster-tx.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/114 | title = Bear Creek Nature Park | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref> Additionally, there is an outdoor classroom and educational programs available for children. The Ten Mile Creek Preserve sits on land donated to the city by Dallas County. It remains largely undeveloped to protect the natural meadows and wooded areas. A two-mile unpaved trail runs through the preserve.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dallascounty.org/department/plandev/locations/15-tenmile-creek.php | title = Tenmile Creek Preserve | publisher = Planning & Development Department, [[Dallas County, Texas]] | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref>

=== Facilities ===
The 64,000-sq-ft Lancaster Recreation Center features an indoor water park, gymnasium, elevated jogging track, and  fitness atrium with an aerobics/dance room. The building also includes a banquet room and catering kitchen that can be used for meetings and other social events. The banquet room has a covered outdoor terrace and courtyard that overlooks Contemplation Lake.<ref name="Community Information"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lancaster-tx.com/index.aspx?NID=214 | title = Recreation Center | work = About the Recreation Center | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref>

The Senior Life Center is a full-service activity center serving adults aged 50 years and older. The 11,500-sq-ft building opened in December 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Life Center opens today |publisher=[[Focus Daily News]]|date=December 2008|url=http://focusdailynews.com/new-life-center-opens-today-p1048-1.htm |access-date=2014-03-06 }}</ref> The facility includes a dining hall, commercial kitchen, classrooms, computer lab, and reading lounge.<ref name="Community Information"/> Transportation to and from the center is available for Lancaster residents in need.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lancaster-tx.com/index.aspx?NID=215 | title = Senior Life Center | work = About the Senior Life Center | publisher = Parks & Recreation Department, City of Lancaster, Texas | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref>

Country View Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-70 public golf course located on West Belt Line Road. It was designed by Florida architect Ron Garl, and opened for play in 1989. The course spans 6,461 yards from the back tee with Bermuda grass fairways.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.countryviewgolfcourse.com/course/ | title = Country View Course Details | publisher = Country View Golf Course | access-date = 2014-03-05}}</ref> It has a chipping area, putting green, and driving range, as well as on-site golf pro shop and sports bar.