Land Acquisition – Limestone County - Approximately 6 Acres at Fort Parker State Park

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Land Acquisition – Limestone County - Approximately 6 Acres at Fort Parker State Park

Notice of Proposed Real Estate Transaction

In a meeting on January 22, 2026, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) will consider approving an acquisition of land of approximately 6 acres at Fort Parker State Park. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed transaction before the Commission takes action. The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744.  Prior to the meeting, public comment may be submitted to Jacob Aston, Executive Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744, or by email to real.estate.comment@tpwd.texas.gov, or via the department’s website at www.tpwd.texas.gov. Visit the TPWD website at tpwd.texas.gov for the latest information regarding the Commission.

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Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Presenter: Jacob Aston

Action
Land Acquisition – Limestone County
Approximately 6 Acres at Fort Parker State Park
January 22, 2026

I.      Executive Summary: Staff requests authorization to acquire a 6-acre parcel adjacent to Fort Parker State Park. This tract is available for acquisition from a willing seller and would add operational utility to the park, protect the park’s viewshed, and remove an inholding from the park.

II.     Discussion: Fort Parker State Park sits outside of the city of Mexia along the Navasota River in Limestone County, approximately 90 miles south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The park totals approximately 1,500 acres of land, which was donated by three local families, and was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935. While the park was under construction, the CCC constructed a dam across the Navasota River, creating Fort Parker Lake, and built a replica of the original Fort Parker. The park opened in 1941 and currently provides recreational opportunities to the public like camping, fishing, hiking, nature viewing, and paddling.

Staff prioritizes acquiring state park inholdings and adjacent properties from willing sellers to minimize operational and management conflicts and ensure the conservation of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public lands. Staff has identified a 6-acre tract adjacent to Fort Parker State Park that is available for acquisition from a willing seller. Currently, access to the tract is through the park on Park Road 28, so the tract is functionally a private inholding. Acquisition of the subject tract would eliminate potential access issues with future owners, prevent further development, and add operational utility to the park.

III.     Recommendation: Staff recommends that 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 from a willing seller approximately 6 acres at Fort Parker State Park.”

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

Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Exhibit A

Location Map for Fort Parker State Park
Limestone County

Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for Fort Parker State Park
Approximately 40 Miles East of Waco

Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Exhibit C

Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
Fort Parker State Park Outlined in Red
Subject Tract Outlined in Yellow