The splash pad at Forney Community Park
The number one free family pick in town, hands down. The city-run splash pad at Forney Community Park (241 S FM 548) runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily 10 am to 8 pm, and it costs nothing. The park around it has playgrounds, sand volleyball, basketball, tennis, and covered pavilions, so pack a lunch and make a morning of it. Details at forneytx.gov.
Parks and playgrounds all over town
Forney's city parks are free and spread out enough that there is probably one near you:
- Forney Community Park (241 S FM 548): the big one, with the splash pad, courts, and pavilions.
- Mulberry Park (751 S Bois d'Arc St): a neighborhood favorite for playground time.
- Hamblen Park (94 S Bois D'Arc St): small and close to downtown, easy to pair with a stroll.
- Eastside Park, Spyglass Pond Park, Achziger Park (4401 Hidden Creek Ln), and St. James Park: more green space, more swings, zero dollars.
- Bell Park & Fountain (W Trinity St): a pretty little downtown stop for photos and a breather.
The OC (Keith Bell Opportunity Central)
Forney ISD's one-of-a-kind community space at 680 Innovation Blvd is open to the public Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 10 pm, with reduced hours on Sunday. It is free to come in, look around, and enjoy the space, and it is one of the best "show off Forney" stops when family visits. See theoc.net or our OC page.
A free afternoon in historic downtown
Forney is the official Antique Capital of Texas, and window-shopping is free. A nice slow loop:
- Start at the "Historic Forney" mural (117 E Main St) for the photo.
- Browse the antique shops along Main Street in historic downtown.
- Stop by the Xeric Garden (200 E Main St) and the downtown clock tower.
- Finish at the Spellman Museum of Forney History (200 S Bois D'Arc St), a small hands-on museum about how our town came to be. Check hours at historicforney.org before you go.
Get the weekly email.
Free things to do, new openings, and local events, in one friendly email every week. It costs exactly as much as everything on this page.
Get the weekly email →The library and free events
- Forney Public Library (402 N Bois D'Arc St): free programs for kids and adults year round. Summer is prime time, so check the calendar at forneytx.gov.
- Spellman Amphitheater (241 FM 548): the city's outdoor stage at Community Park, home to free community events. See what is scheduled at forneytx.gov.
- City events: Forney puts on community gatherings through the year. We track them all on our events page so you do not have to dig.
Nearly free: cheap outings just outside town
- Peach run to Ham Orchards (Terrell, about 15 to 20 minutes): browsing the farm market is free, and a bag of fresh peaches will not break the bank. Season runs through mid-August, Monday to Saturday 9 to 5. hamorchard.com
- The Buc-ee's trip (Terrell): free to wander, dangerous for snack budgets. buc-ees.com
- Kids bowl free all summer at Shenaniganz (Rockwall): two free games a day for the kids all summer long. Sign up first on their site. shenaniganz.com
- A fishing day at East Fork Park on Lavon Lake (about 40 to 45 minutes): pack a cooler, grab a pavilion, and let the crappie and catfish do the entertaining. recreation.gov
- John Bunker Sands Wetland Center (Combine, about 20 to 25 minutes): boardwalks over a working wetland with around 300 bird species. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Check current admission at wetlandcenter.com.
Quick answers
Is the Forney splash pad free?
Yes. It is city-run and free at Forney Community Park, open Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily 10 am to 8 pm.
Is The OC open to the public?
Yes. Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 10 pm, with reduced hours on Sunday, at 680 Innovation Blvd.
Which parks should I skip?
None of the city parks, they are all free. Just know that some neighborhood parks, like Heartland Park, are private and for residents of that community only.
Where do I find free events happening this week?
Our events page rounds them up weekly, and the city posts its own calendar at forneytx.gov.
Keep exploring: The best day trips from Forney · Forney with kids: the local parent's cheat sheet · All things to do in Forney
This guide was compiled from official city and venue sources. Hours and seasons change, especially for the splash pad and summer programs, so confirm with the official site before you head out. Keep it local, Forney.