The city of Plano strives to improve residents' quality of life with outstanding recreational facilities.  Plano is home to 68 public parks, 30 miles of hike and bike trails, 68 lighted football/soccer fields, 23 unlighted football/soccer fields, 45 lighted baseball/softball fields, 21 unlighted baseball/softball fields, three public swimming pools, 21 lighted public tennis courts, six movie complexes, four area lakes, four special use facilities and museums, three indoor recreation centers, one stand-alone recreation center, a community center, senior citizen's center, and a city/school outdoor learning center. Plano Recreation Center features an indoor running track, racquetball/handball/squash courts, exercise, weight and gymnastic rooms, and arts, crafts and photography studios.  Area schools provide additional gym and recreational facilities, including 30 lighted tennis courts, which may be used by Plano residents.

The Plano public library system houses more than 365,000 volumes and continues to grow.   The W.O. Haggard, Jr. Library was opened to the public in March of 1996 and renovations to the L.E.R. Schimelpfenig Library have been completed.  The city is currently breaking ground on a fourth facility.  Of special interest is the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, a 274-acre property that offers children's classes, special events, live animals, nature trails and exhibits including fossils, Indian artifacts, rocks, minerals and seashells.