Here in Grand Prarie, we love our pets! Our city, which rests in Dallas County, Tarrant County, and Ellis County, is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. The city is surrounded by Dallas, Cedar Hill, Midlothian, Mansfield, Arlington, Fort Worth, and Irving. The weather falls into the humid subtropical category, which can create unique weather combinations. The weather makes for a great opportunity to walk your dog outside or enjoy the comfort of a cat cuddling on your lap indoors.
You will find plenty of fun things to do in Grand Prairie. Lone Star Park, which opened in 1997, is one way to spend your time if you enjoy the races. A local skate park and The Theatre at Grand Prairie are also available. Don’t forget to watch a Grand Prairie AirHogs minor league game at The Ballpark.
Grand Prairie is not an urban destination, but it still offers a number of fun events and festivals. You do not want to miss Prairie Lights, which features two miles of seasonal lights and other winter festivities. You also do not want to miss Main Street Fest, which is held every year on the 200 block of West Main Street. The free festival offers live music, carnival rides, vendors, beer gardens, and more.
The economy of Grand Prairie is centered in education, manufacturing, and local government. The most significant employers in the city include Grand Prairie Independent School District, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter-Textron, Poly-America, Inc., and Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie.
Grand Prairie’s history dates back before the mid-1800s. Early on, the area was settled by those who came to the Republic of Texas because they had land grants. The city’s post office opened in 1877. The city was incorporated in 1909. Then, the city had only 994 people living there.
Notable people who have come from Grand Prairie include football player Wesley Duke, singer Selena Gomez, auto racer Jud Larson, actor Billy Miller, and artist Larry D. Alexander. Clearly, the area has a lot of talent to explore.
The population of Grand Prairie was about 175,400 according to 2010 figures. A more recent estimate from 2017 shows that the population is likely closer to 194,000. That makes it the 15th most populous city in Texas. Plenty of pets and their humans have made a home for themselves in the city, and that number is likely to grow in the coming years.