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Located in downtown Uvalde, the Uvalde Grand Opera House is a touchstone for the community, operating at the intersection of historic preservation and arts and culture. Built in 1891 at a cost of approximately $35,000, the opera house offers year-round performances of local artists, touring musicians and theatrical productions. (At right) Eliza Casey, portraying bride-to-be Kay Banks, cries much to the chagrin of Darrell Zimmerman, portraying father of the bride Stanley Banks, in ‘Father of the Bride.’
Uvalde Memorial Park is one of approximately a dozen recreational spaces the City of Uvalde maintains, and it offers a lit amphitheater on the Leona River, a volleyball court, playground equipment, a walking trail and a nine-hole disc golf course. Located on East Main Street, between Wood Street and First Street, the sprawling park has been in existence for more than 100 years.
Two state parks with breathtaking sights, sparkling rivers, hiking trail and abundant nature sightings are just a picturesque drive from Uvalde.
Garner State Park, 234 RR 1050, Concan, offers swimming and hiking for more advanced trekkers as well as beginners in a scenic area on 1,774 acres of Hill Country terrain which includes 2.9 miles of the winding Frio River.
Lost Maples state natural area offers abundant wildflowers, canyon walls and access to the Sabinal River. It is located at 37221 Farm to Market Road 187 in Vanderpool.
The Uvalde County Veterans Memorial Wall at the Fairplex features the names of hundreds of veterans, deceased and living, who helped steer the course of history from World War I and II, to Vietnam and Korea, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The wall, which is a collection of four double-sided walls surrounded by flags representing branches of the military and the United States, bears the name of hundreds of local heroes – some who gave their lives while serving the United States, and still others who came home and continued their service by volunteering in the community.
The Briscoe-Garner Museum, located at 333 N. Park St., offers an array of exhibits honoring the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and the late U.S. Vice President John Nance Garner, who were both Uvalde residents. Admission to the museum is free. The museum, part of the University of Texas system’s Briscoe Center for American History, was Garner’s home for 30-plus years. Typical hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Along with being a great place to check out books, El Progreso Memorial Library, located at 301 W. Main St., offers a variety of programming, computers, and a 3-D printer for community use. It’s also a hub for activities for people of all ages, complete with an art gallery featuring local artists. During the summer, the library hosts a reading program open to all age groups.
The city of Uvalde swimming pool is located on East Nopal Street, next to the Willie De Leon Civic Center. When this section was printed on May 9, city recreation dept. staff did not have an anticipated opening date or hours of operation.
Fort Inge Historic Park, located south of Uvalde off County Road 140, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.Fort Inge the southernmost U.S. Army post active during the mid 1800s. The fort was actively garrisoned from 1849-1869. Afterward, the fort was used by the Texas Rangers until 1884. The park is dominated by an ancient 140-foot volcanic plug on the northern most boundary of the park. This extinct volcano dates back several million years.
In addition to uvalde Memorial Park, the city of Uvalde also maintains Jardín de los Héroes, 801 W. Main St.; De Leon Park, Nicholas Street; and Esperanza Park, North Grove Street (in front of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church). Each park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m and features fitness opportunities, barbecue pits and picnic tables.
Uvalde Memorial Golf Course, 221 E. Doughty St., is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Activities at the Herby Ham Activity Center include a weekly farmers market, water aerobics, pickleball, board games, and line dancing classes. The center is located at 248 FM 3447.
Wes Cooksey Park, with its camping sites and Nueces River access, is a one-stop location for year-round fun. It is located off Highway 55, three miles south of Camp Wood and about 40 miles from the city of Uvalde, with an address of 33719 Highway 55.
Cooks Slough Sanctuary and Nature Park includes 25 acres of wetland, two wildlife-viewing stations and five shaded rest stations along its numerous trails. It is possible to spot such land-based animals as deer, foxes, armadillos, fish, turtles, lizards and snakes. Cooks Slough is open seven days a week during daylight hours with no admission cost. It is located on County Road 106 just south of Uvalde. Head south on U.S. 83, merge onto Farm to Market Road 117, turn right on CR 106, and the parking lot is located at the end of the road.