In 2006, the land that occupies Unity Park was nothing more than an abandoned floodplain. The land was doomed. It was being surveyed to serve as a regional detention pond. That was until the city of Magnolia envisioned something greater for the 30 acres of property near the heart of the city.

Recognizing the potential of the green space, the city used 4A Economic Development Corporation money to purchase it from Magnolia ISD in the hopes of providing a quality recreational area to its residents. Through the help of a matching grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife in 2008, the city opened Unity Park in 2010.

The park, at 19450 Unity Park Drive, features a 7,500-square-foot covered pavilion complete with a stove, oven and commercial refrigerator. Visitors looking for other types of activities will find volleyball and basketball courts, a horseshoe pit and a skate park.

Those wanting to experience nature can do so on the nature trail, or by checking out the pond and habitat restoration area. Unity Park is home to a number of different species of birds including a red-shouldered hawk. Alligators have also been spotted in the wetlands of the park, but there are no current plans to remove them, said Chief David Wood with Montgomery County Constable Precinct 5.

"We tried to get them out once, but that proved to be unsuccessful," Wood said. "But there has not been an alligator sighting in a while."