Commission Agenda Item No. 21
Presenter:  Ted Hollingsworth

Action
New Park Acquisition – Palo Pinto and Stephens Counties
August 25, 2011

I.       Executive Summary:  Staff has identified a site in Palo Pinto and Stephens Counties deemed suitable as the site of a new state park.

II.      Discussion:  In 2008, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) netted $9.2 million from the sale of the Eagle Mountain Lake State Park property, with the understanding these funds would be used to acquire a site for a new state park in the Fort Worth area.  TPWD subsequently entered into a Letter of Intent with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to provide potential site identification and landowner negotiation services.  Since that time, staff has evaluated a number of potential new park locations, primarily in Palo Pinto, Parker, Tarrant and Johnson counties.

A potential park site consisting of three contiguous tracts totaling 3300± acres just outside Strawn, 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth, has been explored and investigated, and appears to be a very suitable candidate for a new state park.  The site possesses extraordinary conservation and recreation potential.  TNC has entered into options-to-buy for all three tracts.  With concurrence from the Legislative Budget Board, TPWD staff and TNC proceeded with surveys, appraisals and Phase I assessments necessary to position TPWD for closing and acquisition of these tracts within the timeframe of the options.

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

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to acquire approximately 3300± acres in Palo Pinto and Stephens Counties for future development and operation as a new State Park.”

Attachments — 3

  1. Exhibit A – Location Map
  2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C – Proposed Park Tracts Map

Commission Agenda Item No. 21
Exhibit A

Map Showing Location of Proposed Park Site in Palo Pinto and Stephens Counties

Map Showing Location of Proposed Park Site in Palo Pinto and Stephens Counties

Commission Agenda Item No. 21
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Proposed Park 70 Miles Southwest of Fort Worth

Vicinity Map for Proposed Park 70 Miles Southwest of Fort Worth

Commission Agenda Item No. 21
Exhibit C

Tract Map of Proposed New State Park Site

Tract Map of Proposed New State Park Site