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.”