Grand Prairie, Texas, like its neighboring city, Arlington, lies conveniently between Dallas and Fort Worth and is home to approximately 150,000 residents.  The town was first founded in 1863 by a man named Alexander Dechman who acquired the land by trading his oxen and wagon.  The town was originally known as Dechman, but the name was later changed to Grand Prairie because of its wide open spaces that were home to roaming buffalo.  The city of Grand Prairie experienced a strong period of growth during the mid 1970’s due to the construction of the DFW International Airport, which lies partially within the city’s border.  Today, 35 percent of Grand Prairie is still available for development and there is a strong effort to attract more businesses and investment.

Because of its proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth, Grand Prairie offers its residents bountiful employment opportunities.  The city also boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the Dallas Metroplex.  Grand Prairie is home to Lone Star Park, a World-Class Thoroughbred racing facility with both dirt and grass surfaces, and a state-of-the-art pavilion featuring restaurants, sports bars, and off-track wagering.  Outdoor enthusiasts can spend a day at the 7,500 acre Joe Pool Lake which has a full service marina and several areas for picnics and camping.  Grand Prairie offers some of the most challenging golf courses in North Texas, most notably the Tangle Ridge Golf Club.  For those into live entertainment, the Nokia Theater, a 63 million dollar concert facility, is located in Grand Prairie, just south of Lone Star Park.