Photo from 2017, before the playground was rebuilt in 2021-22.
Bear Branch Park is a village park in Cochran’s Crossing at 5200 Research Forest Drive. It packs a lot in: The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park, Bear Branch Pool and its sprayground, a skate park, a fenced dog park, tennis courts and two covered courts. Township parks are open from dawn to dusk, and lighted courts stay open until 11 p.m. The rest of the rules are on our Park Types & Rules page. See all of the Cochran’s Crossing parks, plus the Township’s official links for hours and closures, on our Cochran’s Crossing parks page.
Village park, 18.97 acres, in the park system since 1993. About 0.7 mile of pathway and 197 parking spaces in two lots. 14 benches, 19 picnic tables, four grills, two drinking fountains and a bike rack.
Acreage and amenity counts come from The Woodlands Township’s public GIS map. An item that isn’t listed may still be there, and the map can lag behind new installs and removals.
The dog park in 2008.
Covered courts
The older covered court opened in September 2020. It’s 7,200 square feet, with one regulation court and six regulation-height basketball goals. The newer one opened in April 2024 and is twice the size, about 15,000 square feet, lined for five lighted pickleball courts, an in-line hockey rink, futsal and lacrosse. Both are open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Residents and non-residents can rent court time through The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park (281-210-3950) or the Township’s Rentals & Reservations page. As of 2024, a full court on the new cover rented for $35 an hour for residents and $70 an hour for non-residents.
Tennis and volleyball
The Township lists 11 lighted tennis courts at Bear Branch, with restrooms close by. There’s also a lighted volleyball court.
Skate park and wheel-friendly area
The skate park was designed by SITE Design Group. It has in-ground concrete bowls and above-ground concrete plazas, plus rails, ramps, benches, a planter and a fire hydrant set up like a street. The street-style features came from a design-build plan The Woodlands Community Association approved in late 2009. Bikes, skates and skateboards also have a separate wheel-friendly area. See all the wheel-friendly parks in The Woodlands.
Pool and sprayground
Bear Branch Pool, known locally as the whale pool, is next to the playground. Its sprayground opened in February 2024, with a grand opening in March. Township spraygrounds run daily from March 1 to October 31. While the pool is open, the sprayground is part of it and needs pool admission. When the pool is closed, it’s free from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; use the gates on the park side.
Dog park
The dog park has two fenced areas, one for large dogs and one for small dogs, each with a shade ramada. There’s water on site, so bring a bowl. More options are on the dog parks page.
Playground and picnic areas
The Township rebuilt the playground in 2021 and 2022 as an inclusive playground, with three play areas on a soft synthetic surface, one for ages 2 to 5 and two for ages 5 to 12, belt and bucket swings and a gaga ball pit. The lighted 64-by-24-foot pavilion holds eight picnic tables and has water, and a smaller pavilion with one table stands by the skate park. Restrooms, grills and more picnic tables are spread around the park, along with drinking fountains for people and pets. As of 2016 the park also had a sensory garden and a small waterfall.
Memorials and gifts
Near The Recreation Center, a stone plaque and the plantings around it honor Charles Mock for 18 years of service to the community. The plaque is from the Community Associations of The Woodlands Parks and Recreation. The Township’s Gifts for Our Community records also list a donation from The Woodlands Dog Park Club at the dog park.
The Charles Mock plaque in 2016.
The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park
The Township’s Recreation Center is inside the park at 5310 Research Forest Drive (281-210-3950). It runs classes, camps and leagues, and it sells pool passes. Hours and programs are on The Woodlands Recreation Centers page.
Bear Branch Sports Fields
Across Research Forest Drive, the Bear Branch Sports Fields at 5205 Research Forest Drive have synthetic turf fields, a playground and the Township’s 18-hole disc golf course. The Township finished $1.5 million in improvements there in February 2025.
Bear Branch Park
5200 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381
Park Facility Reservations
Park pavilions, tennis courts and pickleball courts can be reserved online. Sports fields are requested through the Township's field request form, and pools and recreation centers have their own rental rules. Payment is due within seven days of the request, or the reservation is dropped.
The Woodlands Township Rentals & Reservations
Parks and Recreation Department, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands, TX 77381
281-210-3800
Please note: The Woodlands' public parks are maintained by The Woodlands Township. Per Woodlands Parks & Recreation Dept. rules, "Younger Play Areas" are suitable for children ages 2-5 and "Older Play Areas" for children ages 5-12+.
• Read details on park regulations & requirements • Patron Code of Conduct
Availability is subject to change without notice and is entirely beyond the control of TheWoodlands.Guide
