Splashing into summer

New lagoon-waterpark with lazy river dives into Dallas-Fort Worth

The Lagoon at Virginia Weaver Park opens Saturday, May 27 in Cedar Hill.

Courtesy photo

A long-awaited waterpark in Cedar Hill is debuting Memorial Day weekend with two of Texas' favorite splashy attractions: a lagoon and lazy river.

The Lagoon at Virginia Weaver Park will open Saturday, May 27 after more than a year in development. The buzz is so big for the new park that tickets for a grand opening event (12-2 pm) have sold out. Guests without tickets can still enjoy the new park for free that day, from 12-5 pm.

According to the City of Cedar Hill, the Lagoon - a transformation of the '70s-era Crawford Park Pool - will be one of the largest public pools of its kind in the Southwest.

It will feature almost 10,000 square feet of water surface, including a zero-depth entry pool; a separate lap swim pool; a lazy river; three-turn slide; and a splash feature. Cabanas (available for rent) and shaded picnic tables will surround the pool. A private, indoor party space also can be reserved.

“This project was highly anticipated and truly a collaboration between our city leaders and local community members. We had many members of our community help determine what this pool would look like and how it would best serve our city,” City of Cedar Hill mayor Stephen Mason says in a release. “I have no doubt that this pool will make our citizens proud and will serve our area well for many years to come.”

After opening day, the waterpark will be open to the public from 12-5 pm daily. Regular daily admission will be $8, with discounts available for seniors and Cedar Hill residents.

Season passes (available online) run $60 for kids and seniors, $70 for adults, and $140 for a family of up to four people. Season pass holders can enjoy private swim time, 5:30-7:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays.

Entrance to Virginia Weaver Park, without pool admission, is free. The park offers playgrounds, hike and bike trails, softball field, basketball courts, and more. Cedar Hill is about 20 minutes southwest of downtown Dallas.

The Lagoon at Virginia Weaver Park is at 631 Somerset Dr., Cedar Hill; find more information on the website.

Lagoon Lazy River Virginia Weaver Cedar Hill families vacation

Star power

Dallas Cowboys remain NFL’s most valuable team at staggering $16 billion

Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images

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Despite last season’s record of 7-9-1 and this season’s opening loss to the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys remain the NFL’s golden team.

CNBC’s annual ranking of the NFL’s most valuable franchises once again puts the Cowboys at No. 1. Jerry Jones’ team is worth an estimated $16 billion based on 2025 figures, up from $12.5 billion the previous year. Just as noteworthy: The ’Boys were the only team to break the $1 billion mark for revenue, pulling in nearly $1.3 billion last year.

Jones, the team’s owner, president, and general manager, has practically transformed the Cowboys into an ATM. He bought the team in 1989 for only $150 million. Based on CNBC’s $16 billion estimate, the team’s value has jumped 10,567 percent over more than three decades.

In a 2016 interview with CNBC, Jones explained why he purchased the ’Boys: “I bought the Cowboys because I just wanted to be associated with sports and football. And I didn’t buy them for money.”

Two years later, Jones told Bloomberg that no amount of money would ever persuade him to sell the team.

“They’re a long-term asset, and my immediate family — which has been a part of making them what they are today — [will] own the Cowboys long after I’m gone,” he said.

Jerry Jones, Cowboys movie premiere Jerry Jones has good reason to give a thumbs up. Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

The Cowboys make up just one component of Jones’ vast wealth. He also holds investments in the energy, real estate, hospitality and restaurant sectors. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimates his net worth at $20.9 billion.

Behind the Cowboys on CNBC’s most-valuable roster are the Los Angeles Rams, at $14.5 billion; Las Vegas Raiders, $13 billion; New York Giants, $12.5 billion; and New England Patriots, $12.25 billion.

What about the Cowboys’ archrival, the Philadelphia Eagles? With an estimated value of $11.5 billion, the Eagles roost at No. 8, according to CNBC.

And the Lone Star State’s other NFL team, the Houston Texans, sits at No. 15 with an estimated value of $9.9 billion.

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