Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Acceptance of Land Donation – Reeves County
Approximately 6 Acres at Balmorhea State Park
January 26, 2017

I.      Executive Summary:  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been offered a strategic 6-acre tract of land at Balmorhea State Park that connects the original 45.9-acre park with 50 acres recently acquired from the Reeves County Water Improvement District No. 1.

II.     Discussion:  Balmorhea State Park, in Reeves County just east of the Davis Mountains, was developed in the mid-1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  The central feature of the original 45.9-acre park is a 1.75-acre pool fed by a natural artesian spring, and restored cienega wetlands.

The small size of the park limits recreational use. The popularity of the park, especially in summer, results in traffic management and safety issues. TPWD staff has been working with adjacent landowners for several years to acquire land for addition to the park to increase safety and accommodate the growing number of visitors to the site. In 2016, TPWD acquired a 50-acre tract on the east side of the park but separated from the park by a strip of land totaling approximately 6 acres. The owner of that tract has signed a gift deed that would transfer the tract to TPWD for addition to the park.

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 accept the donation of approximately 6 acres in Reeves County for addition to Balmorhea State Park.”

Attachments – 3

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

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit A

Location Map for Balmorhea State Park in Reeves County

Location Map for Balmorhea State Park in Reeves County


Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Balmorhea State Park, 15 Miles North of Fort Davis

Vicinity Map for Balmorhea State Park, 15 Miles North of Fort Davis


Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Exhibit C

Site Map for Subject 6-Acre Tract
Original State Park Outlined in Yellow
Subject 6-acre Tract Outlined in White
Recent 50-acre Acquisition Outlined in Red

Site Map