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Katy offers all the warmth of a classic American township along with the opportunity afforded by proximity to the fourth largest city in the nation; Houston, Texas! Known for being a bountiful agricultural epicenter, Katy has also gained reputation for being a community of hard-working, professional men and women. Since the 1940’s it has been the site of the largest gas fields in the country, and of late, Katy has enjoyed a surging real-estate market.
The area of tall, flowing grassland presently known as Katy has been valued for centuries, first by tribes of Karankawa Indians, and later by American adventurers and frontiersmen.
The area was first settled in 1875 by Thomas and Mary Robinson, who purchased two hundred acres of land on an island in Buffalo Bayou. Gradually, more and more families migrated to the area in pursuit of Katy’s fertile farm land and abundant animal life.
This growth was helped even further by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad, which was completed late in the nineteenth century and made transportation abundantly 
simpler. The railroad also boosted the area’s economic growth, as Katy quickly became a major trading partner with markets far and wide.
The area’s first church was started in 1905 by the Cabiness family, whose patriarch arrived near the turn of the century to work for the railroad.
Another important historical figure, James Oliver Thomas, also arrived in Katy around the turn of the century. Mr. Thomas purchased over three hundred acres of lush Katy farmland and immediately set aside land for two public parks, one on Cane Island Creek and the other would become the official town square.
In 1896, Katy’s first post office was opened, and one year later rice farming began in the area using surface water from the surrounding prairie. This was significant because it also allowed local people to begin the first schoolhouse for the purpose of primary education.
During the 1940’s, Katy began to gain attention for large deposits of natural gas, and over the proceeding decades the city’s economy would continue to expand. In the 1950’s, alternative crops were added to the already robust rice and bean yields, and recently, Katy enjoyed the development of two thriving industrial sites on either side of the city.
Katy’s Public Parks Department manages ample recreation land for the use of its citizenry including dog parks, athletic fields, historical monuments, and outdoor activity grounds.
Katy City Park Department
5718 2nd Street, Katy
Phone: (281) 391-4840
Katy City Park
This cherished twenty acre public park has been recently renovated and is home to a supreme collection of athletic fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, handball courts, and picnic areas for year round use. It is also the site of numerous fitness related classes, camps, and celebratory events throughout the year!
5720 Franz Road
Katy, TX 77493
Phone: (281) 391-8400
Thomas Park
This historic Tri county park was donated to the city of Katy in 1907, and today features picnic areas, playgrounds, gazebos, park benches, paved walkways, and sprawling green spaces. The park is a great place for gatherings, leisurely strolls, or summer afternoon picnics beneath its canopy of shade bearing trees, as well as the site of the monument marking the meeting point of the three surrounding counties.
605A Park Grove Lane
Katy, Texas 77450
Woodland Park
As the second oldest park in the Katy area, Woodland Park has been a community social staple since the beginning of the century when it was dedicated in 1903. Presently, the immaculately maintained park includes a basketball court, community building, picnic tables, pavilions, playgrounds, and walkways. Woodland Park is the location of popular camps and social activities throughout the year and is also available to reserve for special events.
443 Danover Street
Katy, TX 77494
Phone: (281) 391-4414
Mary Jo Peckham Park
The incredible collection of activities and amenities situated upon this thirty two acre site are a favorite destination for residents of Katy. The park includes picnic areas, pavilions, miniature golf, fishing spots along the centrally located lake, and serene jogging trails. Also situated on the grounds are a community center, playgrounds, and barbeque pits, making Peckham Park the ideal place for a get-together or special event.
5597 Gardenia Lane
Katy, TX 77493-1439
Phone: (281) 391-4482
Katy Heritage Museum
Paying homage to Katy’s early days as an agricultural center, this fine collection of exhibits and artifacts demonstrate the town’s agrarian roots. Take a tour with curator Bill Murray as he reviews over one hundred years worth of photographs and equipment from the pioneer days of Katy!
George Bush Drive
Katy, TX
Phone: (281) 391-4884
Katy Veterans Memorial Museum
This first class preservation of America’s rich legacy honors veterans from every conflict in our nation’s extensive history. Admission is free, and exhibits include an expansive collection of medals, relics, and artifacts!
6202 George Bush Drive
Katy, TX 77493-1806
Phone: (281) 391-8387
Rhodes Stadium
This ten thousand seat stadium features electrifying sports events and public showcases throughout the year. Opened in 1979, it is the official home of the area’s six largest and most competitive high school athletic programs.
1733 Katy Fort Bend Road
Katy TX
Phone: (281) 396-6380