Archive for the 'State Parks' Category

Swimming Opportunities at State Parks

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015
Preparing for a dive into the crystal clear, spring fed, Balmorhea State Park swimming pool.

Preparing for a dive into the crystal clear, spring fed, Balmorhea State Park swimming pool.


This is Passport to Texas

From spring-fed rivers to Texas-sized lakes, to diving in a pool, Texas State Parks offer swimming opportunities. Spring floods affected many natural swimming holes, so call ahead to find out about access and safety. Meantime, parks with public pools were largely unaffected.

Abilene State Park in the Panhandle has a large swimming pool and pavilion built by the Civilian Conservation Corps decades ago, which continues to provide visitors with summertime swimming and a separate wading pool for children.

Balmorhea State Park welcomes swimmers to the crystal-clear water of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Swim or just relax under the trees at this CCC created historic park in arid West Texas.

In Far West Texas, Indian Lodge, within the boundaries of Davis Mountains State Park, has a lovely facility for its guests, who can relax poolside with a cool beverage or snacks from the lodge’s restaurant.

Bastrop State Park, in Central Texas, entices campers and folks from the surrounding area to its pools for summertime fun. The pool opens at noon daily.

While Goliad State Park and Historic Site in South Texas doesn’t offer swimming on premises, it is available across from the park, at a junior Olympic swimming pool, operated by the city of Goliad.

Wherever you are, there’s still time to get wet in the wilds of Texas this summer.

That’s our show for today… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram.

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

After the Floods

Friday, July 3rd, 2015
Cedar Hill State Park, photo © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Cedar Hill State Park, photo © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

This is Passport to Texas

Memorial Day floods swept through communities in Texas taking lives and homes, and they also struck more than 50 state parks.

05– And so, we’re going to have a lot of rebuilding and restoring in the weeks and months, and really, years ahead.

Carter Smith is Texas Parks and Wildlife Executive Director. As the rivers and creeks along many state parks recede, park employees are assessing the damage and are grateful that no one was injured. Yet, Texas Parks and Wildlife will feel the loss of revenue from visitor fees, which pay about half the cost to run the state park system.

08– Because of the diminished visitation–because the parks simply aren’t accessible now or will be in the near future–that’s going to have a significant impact on the agency.

However, there is hope for recovery.

16– Looks like the Legislature is going to provide some significant capital funding this session, but we are going to obviously have to look at re-prioritizing it. Address the tyranny of the urgent. And right now the tyranny of the urgent is all of the flooding that resulted from this horrific Memorial Day Flood event.

Keep up with park recovery progress when you visit texasstateparks.org.

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

July Fourth Festivities in Parks

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015
Fireworks Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center;Image from KYTX-TV, Tyler

Fireworks Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center;Image from KYTX-TV, Tyler


This is Passport to Texas

Celebrate our Nation’s Independence this weekend at a nearby Texas State Park. Parks throughout the state are offering a variety of activities for the whole family July Fourth.

Celebrate the 4th of July the old fashioned way at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at LBJ State Park in Johnson City in the Texas Hill Country. Cavort with the chickens and cows and see re-enactors in action; yes, there was life before smart phones.

In East Texas, Daingerfield State Park will be hosting a Dutch oven cook-off competition on July 4th. Prizes will be awarded for best Main Dish, Dessert, and Kid’s Cooked Dish.

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, also in East Texas, wants you to bring your decorated bike, trike, strollers and wagons for a patriotic parade around the Park on July fourth. The Parade begins at 10:30 am and travels around the Bee Tree and Broken Bowl campsites/shelter area. Campers are encouraged to decorate their sites and stand outside to cheer on the cyclists. Stay afterwards for games and hot dogs.

And if a July Fourth firework display is what you’re after, find them at the birthplace of Texas– Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site–as well as the Texas Fresh Water Fishers Center in Athens.

That’s our show–Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

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

Rules About Fireworks in State Parks

Tuesday, June 30th, 2015
Fireworks at San Jacinto State Historic Site

Fireworks at San Jacinto State Historic Site

This is Passport to Texas

The July fourth holiday is upon us, and with it comes a burning desire for making our own big booms. But, when it comes to celebrating our nation’s birthday at Texas state parks, feel free to bring the barbeque, the watermelon and the outdoor games–but leave the fireworks at home.

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

We’re not trying to put a damper on your Independence Day fun, but Wes Masur, state park law enforcement coordinator at Texas Parks and Wildlife, says parks are no place for fireworks. Even sparklers get two thumbs down.

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.

Devastating wildfires have started for much less. While some state parks do offer organized fireworks displays, not everyone appreciates these holiday pyrotechnics even when allowed.

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.

Find out which state parks offer public fireworks displays, on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today…For Texas Parks and Wildlif…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Outdoors with Dad on Father’s Day

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015
Enjoying the Texas Hill Country.

Enjoying the Texas Hill Country.


This is Passport to Texas

Spend time with Dad outdoors this Father’s Day, June 21.

03-You never know what’s going to happen outside; it’s the wide open spaces.

Ernie Gammage is former Outreach and Education Director for Parks and Wildlife.

10-One of the things that I remember from my childhood is having the opportunity to fish with my dad. And it’s just such a quiet, special time. I mean, I can still visually see everything that we did back then.

Sharing the outdoors with dad on his special day will make lifelong memories.

08-A lot of the distractions of the work-day world, family obligations, and so forth are put aside and it’s just you and somebody that you love, somebody that you respect.

As we like to say: Life’s Better Outside.

12-I think spending time outdoors with your son or your daughter, or whoever it is, is an opportunity, especially for fathers that already spend time in the outdoors, to pass on some of the things they love and value to their kids.

That’s our show, which I dedicate to the memory of my father who during summers when mom worked weeknights, cobbled together picnic meals from leftovers, then loaded his 7 rambunctious kids and a couple of bikes into a station wagon–that had seen better days–and took us to the nearby forest preserve for al fresco dining and exploration. Thanks, Dad.

Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

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