Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Presenter:  Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Land Acquisition-Coryell County
Approximately 142 Acres at Mother Neff State Park
May 24, 2012

I.       Executive Summary:  TPWD staff has negotiated an option to purchase approximately 142 acres of land with high quality natural and cultural resources adjacent to Mother Neff State Park in Coryell County.

II.      Discussion:  Mother Neff State Park was the first official state park in Texas, named for Mrs. Isabella Eleanor (Mother) Neff who donated six acres of land along the Leon River in 1916. After the death of his mother in 1921, Governor Pat Neff created the Mother Neff Memorial Park which later became the nucleus of the Texas State Park System.  The Civilian Conservation Corps developed and constructed facilities on the park in the mid 1930’s.  Located close to Temple and Waco, the park is popular, but limited by its relatively small size of 259 acres.

Two adjacent landowners have been working with TPWD staff to sell their properties to TPWD for addition to the park.  These two tracts, totaling approximately 142 acres, would add forest habitat, impressive views, a significant spring, a half mile of frontage on the Leon River, and extensive prehistoric archeological resources to the park, providing for greatly expanded recreational and interpretive opportunities.

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 142± acres in Coryell County for addition to Mother Neff State Park.”

            Attachments-3

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

Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit A

Location Map for Mother Neff State park in Coryell County



Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Mother Neff State Park 15 miles Northwest of Temple

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Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit C

Site Map for Subject Tracts at Mother Neff State Park
Subject 142 Acres Outlined in Red and Yellow