Mary Jo Peckham Aquatic & Fitness Center — Attraction in Katy

This is a free (no charge) Harris County owned Park & Rec facility located near the Katy PD / Library area, also near the off leash dog park.

There is not a lot of signage around to let you know about this facility is but it offers quite a variety of activities for free. I stumbled across this facility looking for another place, but solid value for a free facility.

Positives: Free for Harris County Residents Large Lap Pool / Exercise Pool with classes and Rec Time open for kids and special hours for PreK kids as well. Fitness Center has a variety of older but working equipment (cardio & traditional strength and some free weight equipment) and has several classes available during the week. There is an outdoor fitness circuit and good walking / jogging trail ( I was told 8/10 of a mile) There is free miniature golf here (not sure what kind shape it’s in). Clubs are available at the check in counter. I understand there is a disc golf course here as well. The kids outdoor play area is big and large climbing structure. Large park and duck pond (fishing allowed) There is a locker room and showers in the aquatics & fitness center building, locker room / changing area seems clean and well maintained. Plenty of parking space. Lots of trees Overall…Seems pretty well maintained inside and in the park area. Check in staff seems friendly and informative. Many outdoor sitting and outdoor table areas for family picnics.

Stuff That Could Be Improved; The Fitness Center Equipment is pretty old and dated but is being maintained pretty well from a functional standpoint. Most of the strength machines have rust and chipping paint on the frames, some upholstery is torn and duct taped, and some pads have heavy wear. A lot of the cardio is pretty old and some products are damaged but most products seem to be working OK. A lot of the dumbbells are pretty rusty and some are pretty beat and there seem to be only a few benches for doing dumbbell exercises or to use for press exercises in the Smith Machine.

There are is no Power Rack or Olympic Lift area in the facility. They do have a Smith Machine and a piece or two of older Hammer Strength Olympic plate loaded equipment. The majority of strength product is pin select Hammer Strength and a few Life Fitness pin select pieces.

I would estimate 15 Cardio Pieces and 15-20 strength pieces.

2. The fitness center / weight room is also the group exercise room and apparently when group exercise is going on, you cannot do the regular strength machines and cardio product and can only participate in the group exercise class. Because the group exercise classes happen in the fitness center in a small area in the center of the room which is carved out for doing those exercise classes…The perimeter training area with equipment feels pretty crowded.

Pool closing hours vary depending on the day 4pm, 630pm or 645pm depending on the day.

Because of the fitness classes, open training fitness center hours vary day by day.

It’s free and you can definitely can a variety of exercise and rec...

Mary Joe pack on Park is absolutely awesome for anyone but especially families on a budget because there is so many activities offered that don’t cost any money hi love that you can fish and a well stocked pond and there is even a free , nice ,miniature “putt putt” golf course there is also a community center for those who live in Harris County. With that being said/ ; to enjoy the indoor workout fitness area, aquatics etc - you must have several types of proof/identification of where you live and who you are ! All outdoor amenities are available to all the public -like fishing 🎣 (and you get to keep what you catch from 5 varieties of stocked fish). There is a vast array of playground areas and unique equipment. there is even a section of hilarious spinny things, that seem to attract all ages. It keeps more adults entertained just watching or laughing 😆 because they can’t stop it (the spinny thing )!! There is equipment for special needs (ramps, safety swings , a interactive sensory maze). The drums, xylophone, bells and more make up a nice section of musical equipment for the whole family . One of my most favorite places within the park is the wide , gravel made path/trail ,that circles the big pond . I don’t know for sure?… but I think the trail is about a mile. There are beautiful trees, huge boulders for awesome photo ops!, There are bridges, covered fishing decks, ATLEAST 100 ducks and baby ducks too! I love seeing all the family get together , bdays and all the music/festivities that the covered picnic /bbq area attracts … If you only need a single picnic tables, there are plenty of those available too! I love the fact that there is a sheriff on duty that offers security , but whom are also friendly and welcoming , and not hovering over you. There is handicap parking along with plenty of other parking places.lighting automatically comes on at night so it is all well lit. So, if you want a fun filled day for kids, family, photographs or couples - whatever- there is something for everyone...

I love this place!! 5/1 Suffering a medial tear and then a DVT 5/12 , the doc decided to hold off on surgery sending me to PT instead.

I needed to exercise and get my strength back and lose weight !!

Because PT was delayed 2 weeks, the rational choice was to start swimming!

At first, I could not even walk to the door without crutches… now with my swimming of 3 weeks slowly building muscle and strength, and now PT I can walk on it ! (Lost some weight too!)

**The pool water is checked for cleanliness and chemical balance. Love that !

** They offer the MOST swim classes I have ever seen anywhere with great instructors! Love that !

**All staff are professional and friendly!! Love that !!

**The bathrooms are super clean! Love that !!

Check the schedule before heading out especially if it’s raining! They have to close if it’s lightning outside (PROTECTING YOU from lightning injury)

Swimming is a part of my life now and...