New Parks on the Horizon

July 7th, 2016

 

Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area

Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area


This is Passport to Texas

The Texas Legislature approved $90 million dollars for state parks during its 2015 session; critical park repairs are just beginning of how the money will be spent.

One of the things people will see in the coming years is the development of several new parks.

Kevin Good is special assistant to the director of state parks.

First in line of those is Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, located halfway between Fort Worth and Abilene, right off of I-20. We’re doing the planning and design right now, and we’ll be approaching the legislature about funding for construction of that site in the next session.

Good says if all goes as planned, Palo Pinto State Park will begin receiving visitors in as few as five years from now.

After that, there are other park sites. The [Albert and] Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area near San Antonio will be another site that will come online largely due to this increased funding.

Another park under development is Powderhorn Ranch, near Matagorda Bay along the Gulf Coast. Part of its more than 17-thousand acres will eventually become a state park while the rest will serve as a wildlife management area.

Find details on park improvements on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

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

New Funding for Old Parks

July 6th, 2016

 

Sandcastle on beach at Galveston Island State Park.

Sandcastle on beach at Galveston Island State Park.

This is Passport to Texas

In 2015 the Texas Legislature approved $90 million dollars for critical park repairs and other capital projects.

11— The legislature passed HB 158 that provided sustained funding, fully dedicating the Sporting Goods sales taxes to the state park system and local park grants.

Kevin Good is special assistant to the director of state parks. In the short-term, he says most of the new funding will pay for repairs and improvements that aren’t “sexy”.

11— A good deal of the increased funding will be used to address infrastructure needs. The water and wastewater systems are things that you don’t see as a visitor, but you will know if they are not functioning.

Yet, not all updates and projects deal with park plumbing.

29—Currently we’re doing planning on redevelopment of Galveston Island State Park, which obviously was impacted heavily by Hurricane Ike several years ago. On the other side of the state we are currently planning to build a visitor center at Franklin Mountains. Huntsville, north of Houston, we’re doing some repairs to the facilities that were built by the CCC [Civilian Conservation Corps] in the 1930s there. So, we’ll be working on the dam, the boathouse and lodge.

Most parks will benefit from the new funding over time. Log onto the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for additional information.

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

Garner State Park Offers Family Fun

July 5th, 2016

 

A family hike at Garner State Park.

A family hike at Garner State Park.

This is Passport to Texas

Enduring traditions and beautiful scenery have drawn generations of Texans to Garner State Park.

A number of times when I was very small we went to Garner. And then, actually not just when I was very small, but I remember going there as a middle schooler and even a high schooler. In fact, I went there the weekend after I graduated from high school with a big bunch of friends. I’ve always loved going to Garner.

Melissa Gaskill is a freelance writer living in Austin; she says the bracing waters of the Frio River keep her coming back.

That is some of the best water in the state, I would say. Swimming in it; tubing on it; just lying next to it staring at it…. It’s a gorgeous river. The setting is beautiful. It has those big, beautiful trees. You’ve got Old Baldy. The sky’s usually blue. It’s really a beautiful, peaceful place to go and have a great time.

When Melissa Gaskill had children, she introduced them to this scenic getaway that also offers tubing, paddling, fishing, hiking, and camping.

My children also love to camp and do all the things outdoors that I love to do. And, they loved it so much they wanted to go back every year. So, it was not a conscious thing, but definitely in my sub-conscious obviously this is a special place, for me. And I wanted it to be a special place for my family—and it happened.

Melissa’s grown children visit Garner State Park on their own now. And she says one day she hopes to carry on the tradition and introduce her future grandchildren to this special place.

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.

TPW Mag – Garner State Park

July 4th, 2016

 

Cool cold waters at Garner State Park.

Cool clear waters at Garner State Park.

This is Passport to Texas

The cold, crystal waters of the Frio River that flow through Garner State Park in Uvalde County, have attracted people since prehistoric times.

 That is some of the best water in the state, I would say.

The water attracts them, but the bounty, beauty and relaxed vibe keeps them coming back. Melissa Gaskill is a freelance writer living in Austin; she wrote about this 75-year-old park for the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. Garner has special meaning to many Texans, including Gaskill.

 I love it. I think, to me, it’s just kind of a heritage. A piece of Texas that’s been special to me since I was little. Special to my parents. Now it’s special to my children. And I hope one of these days—not in the too distant future—my grandchildren.

Vintage structures built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps dot the landscape, and in summer the pavilion—with its jukebox filled with diverse musical offerings—swarms with activity.

Yeah. That’s the first place I ever got asked to dance—the Garner Pavilion. I danced with my kids there when they were little. I see other people dancing with their children and grandchildren there. The Pavilion is a very special place.

Read Melissa Gaskill’s story about Garner State Park in the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

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

Rules About Fireworks in State Parks

July 1st, 2016
Fireworks over San Jacinto Monument

Fireworks over San Jacinto Monument

This is Passport to Texas

The July Fourth weekend is upon us, and with it comes fireworks.

Yet when celebrating our nation’s birthday at Texas state parks: bring the barbeque, watermelon and the outdoor games…but leave the fireworks at home. Sorry folks.

It is a Class C misdemeanor to possess fireworks in State Parks. Now, we’re really not trying to put a damper on your Independence Day fun, it’s just that parks are no place for things that explode. And the only things that should be sparkling at night are the stars above.

Within the state park system we have a variety of wildlife and plant life… and despite the rains we’ve had this spring…devastating wildfires can flare up with a single runaway spark and destroy it all.

Moreover, many visitors choose a state park setting to get away from the hustle and bustle of a city soundscape. And they cannot abide the big booms and rat-a-tat-tat of these holiday explosives. And we want everyone to enjoy themselves in state parks.

And if you enjoy fireworks, some State Parks do facilitate public pyrotechnic displays. And you can find out which ones will be whooping it up this July Fourth weekend when you log onto the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

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.