Mary Jo Peckham Park Katy TX

Katy · Old Town Katy · 77493

Mary Jo Peckham Park is 32 acres of free family recreation at 5597 Gardenia Ln in Katy, just north of Old Town Katy — a stocked fishing lake, a one-mile trail, miniature golf, a three-story playground, and the only aquatic and fitness center in Harris County Precinct 4, all at no charge. Ask around Katy and you’ll hear the same thing: for the money (none), nothing else comes close.

What you’ll find at Mary Jo Peckham Park

The 1.02-mile trail loops a roughly 5-acre lake that Texas Parks & Wildlife keeps stocked through its Neighborhood Fishin’ program — rainbow trout each winter and channel catfish through the warm months (in 2026 alone, TPWD has stocked over 2,200 trout and 3,900 catfish here). Fishing is pole-and-line only, two poles per person. Around the grounds you’ll also find basketball courts, a putting green, a six-hole disc golf course, exercise stations, a senior outdoor exercise area, a gazebo, and a reservable pavilion. The park is open 7 a.m.–9 p.m. daily; the official Precinct 4 park page has current details.

The Mary Jo Peckham Aquatic & Fitness Center anchors the south end with an indoor pool, a fitness room, free group classes (Zumba, yoga, Pilates), Red Cross swim lessons, water-exercise programs, and two full miniature golf courses. Center hours are Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; call (832) 927-8890 for schedules.

What’s new at Mary Jo Peckham

The park moved from Precinct 3 to Precinct 4 when Harris County redrew its commissioner precincts, and the county has kept investing since — the playground was fully rebuilt into today’s three-story structure, and TPWD’s stocking program is as active as ever. The county honored longtime Katy civic leader Mary Jo Hill Peckham with the park’s name in 1991, and the aquatic and fitness center took its current form with a 1994 expansion.

Photo gallery of Mary Jo Peckham Park

We have put together a complete photo gallery of Mary Jo Peckham Park with descriptions of where the photos were taken and what they depict.

This article was authored by and all photos were taken by the staff of Houston Prime Realty.

Living near Mary Jo Peckham Park

The park sits between Old Town Katy to the south and newer subdivisions filling in to the north — with Katy City Park and the city dog park right next door, this pocket off Franz Rd is one of the most park-rich spots in Katy. Browse my Katy neighborhood guides or search Katy homes for sale — and if you want to be walking distance from the fishing lake, call or text me, Kevan Pewitt, at (281) 500-7077 and I’ll show you what’s available nearby.

Mary Jo Peckham Park: quick answers

Is Mary Jo Peckham Park free?

Yes — park amenities, including the aquatic and fitness center programs, mini golf, and the stocked fishing lake, are free to Harris County residents. Some programs ask you to register at the center first.

Is the fishing lake still stocked?

Yes. It’s one of only four Houston-area lakes in TPWD’s Neighborhood Fishin’ program — rainbow trout in winter, channel catfish the rest of the year, with thousands of fish stocked in 2026 alone.

What neighborhoods are near Mary Jo Peckham Park?

Old Town Katy is directly south, established neighborhoods line Franz Rd, and newer communities keep growing to the north — all inside the Katy ISD footprint, about 2½ miles west of the Grand Parkway and a mile north of I-10.

Last updated: July 2026. Park programs and hours change — verify current details with Harris County Precinct 4 before visiting.