Passport to Texas » State Parks

Walt Dabney’s Life in Parks

cecilia — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:00:07 +0000

This is Passport to Texas

11—My colleague who was the director at Utah state parks, when he heard I was taking this job said: do you have any clue what you’re getting into. And in retrospect I didn’t.

Good thing, too, because if Walt Dabney had known the condition in which he’d find Texas state parks 11 Years ago, he might have passed on the director’s job.

14—The people were incredible, but the conditions of the park system was absolutely applauding. We didn’t have any money; we were very understaffed in many places. Many of our facilities were in very bad shape.

Dabney hit the ground running and never looked back.

18—We got to work. And when I say ‘we,’ this isn’t a Walt deal. This is all of us pulling together, really working hard. And then about five years ago, the legislature did start to understand that their park system was in deep trouble. And since that time we really have started turning it around.

With an infusion of funding from the legislature, equipment, facilities, staffing, interpretive programs, and park law enforcement improved.

14—We’ve gotten repair funds, we’re making great progress there. We’ve added program support where we have the professional capability in-house now to support the things you need to do to run a great park system.

After more than a decade at the helm of Texas State Parks, and more than 40 years in the state park business, Walt Dabney is retiring. That’s tomorrow.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

State Parks Myth #4–Fees are too High

cecilia — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:00:38 +0000

This is Passport to Texas SP Getaways

[09 SFX …counting pennies]

Do you feel like you have to count your pennies for months before you can afford a family vacation?

Well, put away the piggy bank.

[03 SFX …pig squeal]

Our State Park Guide, Bryan Frazier says, state parks offer affordable and fun family vacations.

When you’re planning your trip, something you always want to factor in is just how expensive is it going to be. We’re proud to say in state parks, not only are we competitive with what a lot of people do for entertainment, but a lot of the time, we’re much less expensive.

For instance, kids age 12 and under are always free entrance into state parks. We have programs like the free fishing in state parks where you don’t need a fishing license to fish inside a state park; that can save people some money.

Our campsites are reasonably priced. Adult entrance fees range anywhere from three to six dollars a person. And that’s for all day. In addition to being less expensive a lot of the time, that money also goes to benefit our parks.

So, if we were prices out of the market, it really wouldn’t be to our mission. We want to be accessible and let most everyone enjoy the outdoors in Texas. That’s what we do, and that is our mission.

Thanks, Bryan.

Start planning your next state park getaway when you log onto www.texasstateparks.org.

That’s our show for today…We record our series at the Production Block Studios in Austin, Texas…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

State Parks Myth #3–Too Many Scary Animals

cecilia — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:00:02 +0000

This is Passport to Texas

[Snippet from The Wizard of Oz--05 “…any wild animals? We might.”]

Don’t be afraid of the wildlife you might meet at Texas state parks. Wildlife viewing is a treat, not a terror, as our SP guide, Bryan Frazier, explains.

What we want to encourage people to remember is, the outdoors are typically much, much safer that what they’re getting in the urban environment.

True, state parks are some of the last frontiers of green space and wide open spaces and natural habitat, and there are wildlife critters—everything from deer, to coyotes and things in our state parks, but that’s really an opportunity to view those.

And with just a modest amount of precautions and safety—almost all encounters with wildlife are positive. It is the rare exception that there is anything that’s negative, and usually that involves human error.

So, we want people to enjoy the outdoors and be safe, and there’s absolutely no reason to be intimidated by the outdoors or the wildlife that you’ll see. It’s something that can actually enhance your experience.

And when you leave the park, I think you’ll have a greater enjoyment and understanding of just what we do have in Texas.

Thanks, Bryan.

Start planning your next state park getaway when you log onto the Texas and Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today…We record our series at the Production Block Studios in Austin, Texas…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

State Parks Myth #2–Only For Extreme Sports

cecilia — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:00:06 +0000

This is Passport to Texas

If you’ve never spent time in a state park, it’s easy to come up with all kinds of reasons why they may not be for you. Our Stat Park guide, Bryan Frazier, says one myth about parks is that in order to get the most out of the experience—you have to go extreme.

And the good thing about state parks in Texas is, if you like those kinds of extreme activities—the mountain climbing, or the mountain biking—we have some pretty technical things where you can actually enjoy just about as an extreme experience as you want.

But, for the other people who just want to get away and relax, that’s the number one activity in state parks—relaxing and distressing. And so, we like to say, whatever outdoor recreation is to you, you can find it in a Texas State park.

And it can just be something as simple as rejuvenating yourself on a nature hike or it can be something as thrilling as canoeing and kayaking down some pretty swift rivers.

So, we don’t want people to be intimidated of the outdoors. We’ve got pretty much everything you’re looking for, whether it’s just a nice little walk, or something more than that at a state park in Texas.

Thanks, Bryan.

Start planning your next state park getaway—whether relaxed or adrenaline fueled—when you log onto the Texas and Wildlife website.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Myth #1 About State Parks–They’re Boring

cecilia — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:00:53 +0000

This is Passport to Texas

Our state park guide, Bryan Frazier, says when it comes to our parks and the outdoors, we can hold a slew of unwarranted beliefs. One of the biggies out there is that state parks are boring—that they’re places where only retired people in RV’s go for the winter.

That is a very real stereotype out there, and we want to address that in the fact that it is completely NOT the case.

I would encourage people to think back of when’s the last time they took their family on a camping trip. On a fishing trip, or went canoeing, or kayaking, or even just went on a picnic with their girlfriend, or boyfriend, or significant other.

I think they’ll realize just how profound the memories can be and the things that happen that you don’t expect to happen.

Those are sometimes the most fun of all: the wildlife that you see, the experiences…if that’s what people really think…give it a second chance…and I think they’ll come to realize and remember just how enjoyable and exciting state parks can be.

Thanks, Bryan.

Blow those myths out of the water, and start planning your next state park getaway when you log onto the Texas and Wildlife website.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Fireworks in State Parks

cecilia — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:00:07 +0000

This is Passport to Texas

[SFX fireworks]

When it comes to celebrating our nation’s birthday at Texas state parks you can bring the barbecue, the watermelon and the outdoor games…but not the fireworks.

06—It is illegal in Texas state parks…it is a Class C misdemeanor to possess fireworks in a state park.

That’s Wes Masur, the state park law enforcement coordinator at Texas Parks and Wildlife. He says even sparklers… black cats… and bottle rocket are prohibited in state parks, not only on the 4th of July, but everyday, and for good reason.

09—Within the state park system we have different types of wildlife and different types of grasses and we don’t want to get any type of forest fire started…people are there to enjoy the state parks.

While a few state parks do offer organized fireworks displays, not everyone appreciates traditional holiday pyrotechnics.

05—Some people don’t like fireworks…the noises that go along with that stuff—we just don’t allow it in the state parks.

For more information on which state parks offer public fireworks displays, log onto the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today…we record our series at the Production Block Studios in Austin, Texas…Joel Block engineers our program.

SP Getaway–Equestrian Camping

cecilia — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:00:55 +0000

This is a Passport to Texas State Park Getaway

Taking in the scenic beauty of the state on horseback is an experience like no other, and some of the best views and equestrian trails Texas has to offer are in state parks. Bryan Frazier has details.

Horseback riding, and just viewing a state park from horseback is just becoming more and more popular, and so to accommodate our customers, we’re trying to put equestrian friendly, or equestrian accommodating camping in our parks.

And we do have several state parks that have equestrian facilities, from corrals and pens, to a simple hitching post where you can tie off your animal for the night right there in your campsite. And we have those for site that are developed for water and electricity, or we have them for tent camping.

So, as the equestrian camping and the equestrian experience in our state parks becomes more and more popular, I think people are going to see that they don’t just have to do it for the day trip. They can bring their horses to a state park and enjoy the camping experience. Particularly in Texas with the romance that we have with cowboys and horses and things.

When you can see a state park and the beauty and the grandeur and the scenery from the back of a horse, that’s a really unique experience, and something that’s popular for a very good reason in our state parks.

Thanks Bryan.

Find more state park information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show … For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Becoming a Park Host

cecilia — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:00:00 +0000

This is Passport to Texas

Ed and Paula Smith don’t like to go home in the winter…

:04—It’s cold at home…Michigan is cold.” (ES) “So we came down here and we just keep coming back.

The couple’s winter address is often Bastrop State Park…and their house is 37-foot motor home.

:04—It’s probably nicer than our home at home (laughs).

And while you might think they keep coming back to Bastrop because the retirees just want a chance to play golf, you’d be surprised to know that it’s not all play.

:05—I mow and then I come back and weed whip… just try to make the park look pretty.

For the past several years Ed and Paula have spent their winter months in Bastrop State Park as park hosts. They volunteer about 25 hours a week working as additional representatives in the park, and assisting park staff.

:08—You’re getting some exercise and you’re having a good time, then you’re enjoying your stay…It’s a give and take…and we really appreciate the opportunity.

Find state parks information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today…we record the series at the Production Block Studios in Austin, Texas…For Texas Parks and Wildlife… I’m Cecilia Nasti.

SP Getaway–Primitive Camping in State Parks

cecilia — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:00:09 +0000

This is a Passport to Texas State Park Getaway

Maybe one day you’ll own an RV with all its creature comforts and use it for overnight outings at state parks. Until then, Bryan Frazier says primitive tent camping remains a simple, yet enormously satisfying alternative.

For most people who are beginners, that’s the way they’re going to go.

And so we have lots of tent camping available, but we have variations in our primitive tent camping as well. We have tent camping that has water outlets there in the tent camp site, with fire ring and picnic table and a lantern pole, which a lot of people appreciate. But we also have hike in sites, where you have a little bit of a hike to your tent camp site, and maybe it’s a little less developed.

And then we have true back country campsites in some of our parks. And that can be really whatever the person’s comfortable with. Some people really want to get away and have a solitude and a peace, and really like nothing else like a tent camping experience in our back country can provide. And we have some parks, particularly out in far west Texas that you can do that—and you may never see another person.

We always encourage people to be safe in all of our campsites, but we want to say, too, in addition to what we have in developed campsites, we do have primitive tent camping that cane be as comfortable and convenient near a parking lot, or as remote, really, as someone is looking for.

Thanks Bryan.

Find more state park information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show … For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Volunteering at Texas State Parks, 2

cecilia — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 06:00:28 +0000

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texas State Parks rely heavily on volunteers.

07—Over the last several years it’s been pretty consistent; we clock about six hundred thousand hours of volunteer time.

And that’s just manual labor, says Lori Reiley, state park volunteer coordinator. Those 600-thousand volunteer hours translate into big savings for state parks.

12—That is equivalent in this fiscal year to about a ten million dollar savings in personnel costs. Our volunteers make up about a third of our workforce. So, we really couldn’t function as well without them.

Volunteers do everything from mowing lawns and scrubbing toilets to taking entrance fees and leading interpretive programs. Reiley says state parks encourage and welcome new volunteers.

16—We could always use their help. And while we get the occasional civic organization or nonprofit that wants to volunteer for service projects, we really could always use more individuals just on a regular basis to come out and volunteer in the parks.

Find out how you can volunteer at state parks on the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today…we record our series at the Production Block Studios in Austin… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.