Owen Park, Westside Recreation Center opens Jan. 23 in Conroe

The city of Conroe announced Jan. 5 the soft opening of Owen Park and the Westside Recreation Center will be Jan. 23.

According to previous reporting, the city bought the property for $2.5 million in March 2022 from the YMCA. It was renamed Owen Park during a Sept. 21, 2021, Conroe City Council meeting to honor the Owen family who were the original owners of the land before donating it to the YMCA.

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Riggens said in a Jan. 9 email the opening of the park is exciting for Conroe due to the additional amenities it will be adding. According to the city's website, the park includes an off-leash area for dogs—with separate areas for small and big dogs—a covered pavilion, a basketball court, restrooms, a pond with a fishing pier, and hiking and biking trails.

Located within the park is the Westside Recreation Center, which will include a fitness room equipped with free weights and cardio machines, locker rooms, racquetball courts, spin rooms, a kids zone, a gymnasium and a heated outdoor pool.

"A tremendous amount of work went into getting the park and center ready for opening, and I’d like to thank staff for their hard work," Riggens said.

However, in its Jan. 5 announcement, the city cautions attendees that some areas are still under renovations.

Those interested in membership at the city's recreation centers—C.K. Ray Recreation Center, Westside Recreation Center and the Conroe Aquatic Center lap pools—or in seeing a sneak peek of the new park may visit Owen Park from Jan. 17-20 from 10a.m.-7 p.m., according to the city's announcement.