Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Presenter:  Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Land Acquisition – Palo Pinto County
3980± Acres for Development of a New State Park
August 26, 2010

I.       Executive Summary:  Staff will update the TPW Commission on assessment of a site proposed for a new state park in the Fort Worth area and request authority to acquire the site.

II.     Discussion:  In 2008, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) sold the Eagle Mountain Lake State Park property for $9.2 million, with the understanding these fund would be used to acquire a site for a new state park in the Fort Worth area.  Since that time, staff has evaluated a number of potential new park locations, primarily in Palo Pinto, Parker, Tarrant and Johnson counties.

Staff effort is now focused on evaluation of a 3980± acre site in Palo Pinto County with exceptional access and a variety of recreational and cultural amenities.  TPWD is working with The Nature Conservancy and the Texas Historical Commission, and is undertaking appropriate environmental studies, to make further determinations regarding the suitability of the site.  A first reading of the proposed acquisition was presented to the TPW Commission on July 20, 2010.

III.    Recommendation:  The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Executive Director is authorized to take all necessary steps to acquire 3,980± acres in Palo Pinto County for development and operation as a new State Park."

            Attachments — 3

  1. Exhibit A – Location Map
  2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C – Site Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Exhibit A

Location Map Palo Pinto County


Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Subject Tract in Palo Pinto County


Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Exhibit C

Site Map of Proposed Land for New State Park