16. Cooper Aerobics Center
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 12200 Preston Rd.
Description: Dr. Kenneth Cooper coined the word aerobics, and at his Dallas fitness facility, he employs an aerobic point system that keeps your exercise program in line. At this Preston Road location, find an indoor track, outdoor trails, fitness studios, two pools, game court, steam room and whirlpool, and a highly qualified personal training staff. There’s an on-site spa and cafe, too. At the Craig Ranch in McKinney, a 10,000-square-foot training area, you’ll find an Olympic-size pool, indoor and outdoor tracks, exercise studios, a full-sized basketball court, tennis, and sand volleyball, with spa and cafe. You can sign up for workshops, lectures, and nutritional coaching, as well.
17. Dallas Metropolitan Ymca
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 329-1821
Description: At 23 branches in seven counties you will find community centers with workout rooms, swimming pools, aerobics and weight-training classes, sports leagues, personal training, and more.
18. The Texas Club Fitness
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 761-6300
Address: 800 Main St., 15th floor
Description: A downtown fitness club, this one pampers with free parking, towel service, dozens of fitness classes, racquetball courts, and a Circuit Express Studio, the latter for fast, effective workouts.
19. Stevens Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 670-7506
Address: 1005 North Montclair Ave.
Description: Open since 1922, this municipal course in a hilly, historic section of Oak Cliff is among the favorite of all Dallas golf courses. It’s an 18-hole, par-71 championship course with a length of 6,005 yards. Reservations are a must. There’s a deli with happy hour, too.
20. Tenison Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 670-1402
Address: 3501 Samuell Blvd.
Description: A gorgeous spread in East Dallas, this park has two courses, Tenison Glen and Tenison Highlands, with a driving range and PGA and LPGA golf pros. The Golf Academy of Dallas is home here, with 41 practice stations. There’s a grill and a pavilion area, too.
21. League Play
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Dallas-area leagues are covered at www.hockeydallas.com. Some are faith-based, collegiate-level, club or team organizations. The Dallas Junior Hockey Association (www.djha.com) is the state’s largest youth hockey association, with private lessons available.
22. Dallas Running Club
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 432-6619
Description: The largest running club in DFW organizes races and runs, along with social events. You can also volunteer to work at running events; all skill levels are welcome.
23. Luke’S Locker
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: 5505 Colleyville Blvd., Colley
Description: Want to learn proper running technique? Luke’s teaches great workshops for three levels—casual walkers, advanced walkers, and those runners who want to boost their 5k and 10k running skills. Dedication and good footwear are required.
24. The Scuba Source
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 213-1408
Description: This program offers flexible instruction with optional fast-track, works around your schedule, and will use the PADI modular program for your home-study portion. Learn diving in a heated pool, with private sessions available. Open-water certification takes place at Athens Scuba Park, 70 miles from Dallas, over two days.
25. Dallas Softball Managers Association
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 670-8898
Description: Dallas Parks and Recreation organizes adult softball (men, coed, and senior) leagues through most of the year, playing at the Samuell-Grand, Fair Oaks, Churchill, and Kiest Park complexes. Levels of competition (from fun to rather serious) will vary.
26. Dallas Aquatic Masters
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 219-2300
Description: Olympic triple gold medalist Jim Montgomery began this swim school in 1981, teaching students 18 and older, from beginners to serious swimmers, in lessons lasting about one hour. Group and private lessons offered. Prerequisite: students should be able to swim one pool length in freestyle stroke.
27. Dallas Parks And Recreation
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 670-8400
Description: Dallas city parks offer 21 pools total; check the Web site for locations and hours. Among the more popular ones are Kidd Springs in southwest Dallas for a pretty setting with a softball field; Fretz, on the Dallas-Richardson border; and Lake Highlands North, with a great baby pool.
28. Dolfin Swim School
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 361-4542
Description: Red Cross–certified instructors teach kids to swim, starting at three months, making swimming fun with toys and games. The Dallas Dolfin swim team includes kids ages 5 to 17 and teaches competitive swimming technique. Locations include the Midway-Walnut Hill Lane area; Preston-Walnut Hill; Meadow Road at Hillcrest; Northwest Highway and Marsh; Lemmon and North Tollway; LBJ Freeway at Hillcrest; Walnut Hill at Inwood Road.
29. Southern Methodist University Barr Pool
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (214) 768-2200
Description: Nice outdoor and indoor pools are open to the public for reasonable fees. Swimming lessons available.
30. Dallas Parks And Recreation
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Dallas parks offers full-service tennis centers with lessons, refreshments, and a pro shop with retail and repair services. Courts can be reserved for games and tournaments and league play and clinics are available. Courts include:Samuell-Grand, 6200 East Grand, (214) 670-1374Fretz, 14700 Hillcrest Rd., (214) 670-6622Fair Oaks, 7501 Merriman Parkway., (214) 670-1495L.B. Houston, 11223 Luna Rd., (214) 670-6367Kiest, 2324 West Kiest Blvd., (214) 670-7618