Commission Agenda Item 8
May 22, 2025

• Item Type: Action
• Presenter: Zach Spector

Disposition of Land – Parker County – Approximately 3.8 Acres Near Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway

I. Executive Summary:

Staff seeks approval to sell to an adjacent landowner approximately 3.8 acres of land that is an unused railroad right-of-way near Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway.

II. Discussion:

In 1995, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received approximately 295 acres of a former railroad right-of-way (ROW) in a quitclaim deed that led to the establishment of Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway. This quitclaim included an approximately 3.8-acre ROW that was never developed and is disconnected from the Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway.

Ownership of the 3.8-acre ROW is no longer in TPWD’s best interest, and staff proposes quitclaiming TPWD’s interest to the owner of the underlying property, in exchange for the fair market value of the ROW.

III. Recommendation:

Staff recommends that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts the Resolution attached as Exhibit A.”

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Exhibit A – Commission Agenda Item No. 8

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission

Regarding the Disposition of Land

Approximately 3.8 Acres of Real Property in Parker County

Resolution

      Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and operates Lake Mineral Wells Trailway for a variety of recreation, historic, and conservation values; and,

      Whereas, TPWD was approached by an adjacent, private landowner to purchase a 3.8-acre old railroad right-of-way that the department owns; and,

      Whereas, TPWD staff find the tract serves no recreational, historic, or conservation value to the agency; and,

      Whereas, TPWD staff find the disposition of this tract will not affect park operations; and,

      Whereas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) finds that as required by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code (PWC) chapter 26, notices of today’s hearing of this matter were published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation that is published at least six days a week in the communities nearest to Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway in which such newspapers are published (Fort Worth Star-Telegram), with the last day of publication being not less than one week or more than two weeks before the date of today’s hearing; and,

      Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with PWC chapter 26, that (1) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the land; and (2) the program or project that requires the land includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land; and

      Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with PWC section 13.009, that ownership of the real property is no longer in the best interest of TPWD; and,

      Now, therefore, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the TPWD Executive Director to take all necessary steps to dispose of the subject 3.8-acre tract of land subject to the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approving this Resolution.

      Adopted and approved this 22nd day of May, 2025.

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Exhibit B – Commission Agenda Item No. 8

Location Map for Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Parker County

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Exhibit C – Commission Agenda Item No. 8

Vicinity Map for Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
45 Miles West of Fort Worth

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Exhibit D – Commission Agenda Item No. 8

Site Map of Land Disposition
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway Outlined in Red
Subject Tract Outlined in Yellow