Archive for the 'State Parks' Category

State Parks Myth #3–Too Many Scary Animals

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

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

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

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

Friday, July 9th, 2010

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

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

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

Monday, June 28th, 2010

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.