Family Fun Guide To Burger's Lake
Burger's Lake
Open Mother's Day through Labor Day
1200 Meandering Road Ft. Worth, TX
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., daily
$12 age 7 and up, $5 age 1-6
Are you old enough to remember a simpler time? If you are reading this then you probably are. You know, playing outside until the street lights come on, making mud pies, setting up a lemonade stand, hours of fun with just a water hose? I miss those days and I know you do too. But, alas, time marches on. Hurried schedules and minute by minute agendas are normative for families in our busy Metroplex. However, an H2O mecca of fun and sun in our fair burg exists as a relative anachronism. Burger's Lake is a retro water park that doesn't subscribe to the fast-paced overly-hyped family experience that regularly leaves parents dizzied and wallets emptied. Burger's Lake is a retro summer experience that is unbelievably laid back but also is exceedingly fun.
Burger's Lake is a 30-acre park right inside Fort Worth! It has a 1-acre spring-fed lake that is perfect for swimming, lounging and playing on their many "toys." Don't be turned off by the word "lake." It's actually spring-fed and is chlorinated and filtered. Also a plus is the sandy bottom; no dorky aqua socks needed!
Burger's Lake has been around, well, for a really long time. My mother-in-law had her 16th birthday party here and my husband grew up coming here and they can both attest that not much has changed. This is not completely true, because of the recent installation of three new super slides and a safety-conscious filtration system but like seat belts and cell phones, some change is good.
Burger's Lake is a hard place to describe. It's kitschy; it's simple; it's relaxing; it's fun. It's...well, let me help by telling you what Burger's Lake is NOT. It is NOT stressful, like some big major water parks. It's not pretentious. It's not overwhelming. And maybe most importantly, it's not expensive. The admission is $12 for adults and $5 for kids age 1-6.
A day at Burger's Lake for most people looks something like this: drive up and pay the friendly people your admission, park close to your "camp," unpack your cooler with all your snacks and cold drinks (oh, I didn't say you can bring in your own food? You betcha!), apply sunscreen and run for the water. My husband and I have this silly tradition that the only way to enter the lake for the first time is by their 25-foot trapeze- just swing out and submerge yourself in the joy of simpler times. With over 185 grills on the premises, this is a perfect opportunity to bring hot dogs or burgers, and have a good old-fashioned picnic for lunch! I'm telling you this is a great place to chill with the family.
So, let's talk about the acre lake. There is the trapeze, numerous diving boards, 2 fountains and the super-duper-over-sized inner tubes for rent. Also, for those little ones you may be toting around this summer, one little section of the lake has kiddie-sized play equipment. A little diving board about a foot or two above the water and a twirly slide that lands right in the shallow end will have your kiddos forgetting about TiVo and what's on their iPod. Did I mention the beach entrance? You'll definitely want to bring your kids a pail and shovel because there is plenty of sand to play in. I think I spent most of my day sitting in the shallow water on the sand last summer when I was pregnant.
While there is a lot to do, you might find that you want a break from the water. This is where it's nice to be close to your car. Go grab a soccer ball or volleyball because there are plenty of big grassy fields to run and play. We usually "claim" a few picnic tables and go back and forth all day filling up and reapplying. In our agenda-based culture, it is nice to roam "agenda-less" from the water to the grass and back again, all based on how we feel.
In a day and age where kids' summers seem to be scheduled to the minute and parents constantly are left gasping for air, Burger's Lake is a welcome respite. This place invites you to breathe and relax. There is no rushing from one cyclonic water coaster to the next all the while spending tons of money on $10 hot dogs in addition to your exorbitant entrance fee. Burger's Lake seems to have mastered the impossible: making time stand still. If you are nostalgic for a bygone era or simply desirous of a peaceful summer outing, Burger's Lake can serve as a refreshing oasis for any family.
Casey Gilliam is a Co-Founder of Dallas Moms Blog (www.dallasmomsblog.org). She loves her baby girl and her husband of almost 8 years. You can contact her at casey@dallasmomsblog.org
