Quality of Life

Garland is part of the 4th largest region in the nation, the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, which continues to attract new business and corporate expansions despite challenges in the world economy. Garland has taken steps to provide excellent opportunities for its citizens who enjoy living and working here. The city offers a diverse and stable economy for businesses and residents to locate and succeed.

Public Safety

Public safety is a key ingredient to Garland’s vitality. Garland has been listed as one of the "Top 10 Safest Cities in America" by the Cities Journal, Law Street and Forbes. The Neighborhood Police Officer program is a resource to Garland neighbors providing information on a variety of community programs, including neighborhood Crime Watch and Crimestoppers. In addition, Garland Police and Fire provide Citizen                                                                                 Academies promoting neighborhood leadership in safe living.

Vital Neighborhoods

Garland prides itself on the strength of its diverse neighborhoods. Although the type of neighborhood may vary, all residents want a livable, vital neighborhood. The City of Garland offers meaningful programs and services that help organize, strengthen and rejuvenate these unique communities where people work, live and recreate.

Arts & Culture

The Arts have played a vital role in the enhancement of the quality of life in Garland. With the completion of the Garland Center for the Performing Arts in June of 1982, the City of Garland began a trend among Texas suburbs to build local facilities where the arts would flourish. The Center houses two elegant proscenium theatres with seating for 720 and 200. These theatres can accommodate everything from Broadway touring shows to symphony concerts. The Granville Arts Complex attracts over 170,000 patrons per year with two-thirds of the patrons coming from outside the Garland area.

The Garland Cultural Arts Commission (GCAC) was established in 1986 and has played an active role in the development of the arts community. The GCAC has also developed a grant program whereby meritorious cultural groups may apply for funding on an annual basis.

FACILITIES

In 2003, the Garland City Council named the Arts Center for Patty Granville, who has managed the facility since its opening and has been a driving force in the growth and expansion of the Center. In the same year, The Atrium at the Granville Arts Center was dedicated. The Atrium provides a magnificent setting for special events such as wedding receptions, fundraisers and conventions. The Atrium’s luxurious glass-lined lobby covers over 3,100 square feet. The 6,500 square feet banquet hall is encased in glass on two sides and opens onto a spacious courtyard.

The Plaza Theatre, located on the square in downtown Garland, was donated to the City of Garland in 1991 by Sherri and John Skelton. It was elegantly renovated in 2001 by the City of Garland. The spacious domed lobby of the Plaza Theatre features a spectacular chandelier and a 350 seat auditorium.

MAJOR AFFILIATE CULTURAL GROUPS

• Garland Civic Theatre founded in 1968
• Garland Summer Musicals created in 1983
• The Garland Symphony Orchestra founded in 1978

THE GARLAND LANDMARK MUSEUM

The Garland Landmark Museum is housed in the former Santa Fe Railroad. It was preserved by the Society and currently houses the Museum, which holds artifacts from 1850 to the present. You can call 972-205-2790 or visit their website for more information.

For more information on the Arts in Garland visit the Garland Arts website.

THE GRANVILLE ARTS CENTER & PLAZA THEATRE

The Granville Arts Center complex includes two elegant proscenium theatres that can accommodate everything from Broadway touring shows to symphony concerts. The Arts Center also features the luxurious Atrium banquet hall with seating up to 500, and the exquisite Art Deco Plaza Theatre on the Downtown Square. The Garland Arts Facilities feature year-round performances by Affiliate arts groups and many other organizations throughout the Southwest.

All facilities are available for rental. The Granville Arts Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and during all performances. To rent the Arts Center or Plaza Theatre, call 972-205-2780. To rent the Atrium, call 972-205-3981. The Arts Center complex is located at:
300 N Fifth Street
Garland, TX 75040

The Plaza Theatre is located downtown at:
521 W State Street
Garland, TX 75040

Nicholson Memorial Library System

The Nicholson Memorial Library System allows citizens access to more than 430,000 books, as well as popular magazines, newspapers, videotapes and audio recordings. Each library provides public access computers, software and Internet access. Visit the Library System Portal

CONTACT INFORMATION & HOURS

View the contact information and hours for the following branches:

• Central Branch
• North Garland Branch
• South Garland Branch
• Walnut Creek Branch

Recreational & Natural Resources

Garland residents currently enjoy the following facilities:

The city also owns the Firewheel Golf Park, a state-of-the-art, 63-hole golf facility consistently ranked as one of the top golf venues in the state. Find out more about recreation in Garland.

LAKE RAY HUBBARD

Lake Ray Hubbard provides exceptional regional water recreation year round, particularly boating, skiing and fishing. Boating enthusiast can access Lake Ray Hubbard year round from Garland’s Windsurf Park and Marina Del Ray. Enjoy dining and watching the sun set at lakeside restaurants at Harbor Point.

FIREWHEEL GOLF PARK

Firewheel Golf Park has been a PGA Tour qualifier course and is home to the Nitro Texas State Open. The Dallas Morning News ranked the course the second best in the state of Texas. The site also includes the famous Bridges at Firewheel, an executive style 27-hole golf facility. View the contact information for Firewheel or visit their website for more information.

WATER PARKS

• Hawaiian Falls (North Garland)
• Surf and Swim (South Garland)

ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS:

• Garland Cheer and Drill Association
• Garland Soccer Association
• Girls’ Softball Association
• North Garland Youth Little League Baseball
• Pee Wee Football
• South Garland Youth Little League Baseball

Shopping & Entertainment

BASS PRO SHOPS

Bass Pro anchors the 28-acre Harbor Point retail development on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard. Call 469-221-2600 or visit the Bass Pro Shops website for more information.

FIREWHEEL TOWN CENTER

Garland’s Firewheel Town Center is an open-air, mixed-use development featuring:

Check out the contact information for Firewheel Town Center or visit their website for more information.

THE CURTIS CULWELL CENTER

The Center hosts:

• Concerts
• Conventions
• Graduations
• Sporting events
• Theatrical productions

Access the Center’s contact information or visit their website for more information

DINING

Dining out is also a favorite activity of Garland residents and they have a myriad of options, from fast casual to fine dining and everything in-between. View the dining options in Garland.