City: Houston, TX

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (713) 837-0311

Address: 19008 Saums Rd.

Description: Located on Houston’s west side just east of Katy, Cullen Park sits in Addicks Reservoir, an open flood-­zone space used to retain storm water and prevent flooding. The 9,200-acre park rarely floods, though, and is filled with recreational opportunities. Among them: the requisite picnic areas with barbecue grills, baseball and soccer fields, a water playground, and more than 8 miles of hiking and biking trails. The trails take you past beautiful oak trees, a cemetery, and flora, but it’s not uncommon for weeds or litter to line the trails. Depending on the season, you might see armadillos, deer, and snakes. Some of these snakes are venomous so watch your step and keep your eyes on young children. Want to practice your archery skills? Take your bow to the archery range on the park’s east side at 13751 Clay Rd. Cullen Park is also home to Alkek Velodrome, a 333-meter outdoor cement track for cyclists. There are only about two dozen velodromes in the country, and people who use them are serious cyclists. So keep the little ones away because cyclists here won’t be watching for them.