Community Health

Ennis offers multiple educational opportunities. No less than 13 public universities and five community colleges are located within a 45-minute drive of Ennis. The Ennis Public Library has 40,000 volumes, as well as a state-of-the-art audio-visual learning center with CD-ROM capability. Ennis High School was recently recognized as the ninth best high school in Texas by the Dallas Morning News and among the top 96 American high schools by a U.S. News & World Report study.

Known as The Bluebonnet City of Texas (our rich green fields turn vibrant blue each spring), the city is host to the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival each April, the largest such event in Texas, along with a Hot Air Balloon Festival. Ennis also hosts The Festival of Trains. Held each September, this two-day event offers music, arts & crafts, children’s activity center, model train exhibits and train memorabilia. The Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum is a fascinating collection of train memorabilia and historic photos. Ennis features a large Czechoslovakian population.

The last weekend in May, the city hosts the National Polka Festival with a parade, colorful costumes, street dancing, Czech food and desserts, and traditional Polka bands. The Top of Texas Chili Cook Off provides a hot time each spring with dancing, country music, crafts, and unforgettable chili, and the Texas Christmas Celebration & Festival of Lights kicks off the season the first weekend in December. 

Recreation

With lakes, tennis courts and community parks, Ennis offers an abundance of recreation and leisure opportunities. With over 3,500 surface acres, Lake Bardwell attracts 500,000 visitors annually. This sparkling body of water offers skiing, fishing, swimming, boating and more. You can camp, picnic, or host a special gathering on the 1,800 acres and six parks surrounding the lake.

Ennis offers 16 beautiful city parks covering over 140 acres of land. The 47-acre Bluebonnet Park features eight lighted ball fields, six soccer fields, 10 acres of dedicated recreational open space, a two-acre fishing lake, and a jogging path. Summit Golf Club features 18 holes of challenging golf. Ennis Country Club features a beautiful 18-hole golf course, golf pro shop, swimming pool, tennis courts, fine dining, beverage bar, and a wonderful view of scenic Lake Clark. The Lion Tennis Center, one of the finest public tennis facilities in the state, is owned and operated by the Ennis Independent School District and features nine championship-quality tennis courts (four indoors), an Olympic size pool, snack bar and pro shop.