Government Canyon State Natural Area "Getting Better All The Time"
Park System Improvements Reflect Support From Voters, Legislature
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Government Canyon State Natural Area has added two staff positions, extended operating hours, expanded interpretive tours and increased day-use opportunities, thanks to new funding provided by the Texas Legislature. The addition of a new park ranger and a natural and cultural resource specialist are making possible new visitor experiences and opportunities. Both will help the site fulfill its mission to not only conserve land over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, a critical source of drinking water, but to also interpret or tell visitors the story of the park and its natural and cultural resources.
The state natural area is now open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Monday for day-use visitation only, but hopes to begin developing backcountry campsites as soon as the funds become available. The projected timetable for starting campsite construction is later this fall or by spring of 2010.
Construction is under way on 15 new day-use picnic sites adjacent to Government Canyon’s restrooms. Additionally, parts have been purchased to retrofit and repair flooding composting toilets to have them in operation by this fall.
When the natural area opened in October 2005, there were few regular guided tours or talks and no overnight camping. In the years since the opening, the Friends of Government Canyon group of volunteer supporters has provided invaluable service by starting to offer guided tours. But recently hired professional staff are now offering ranger-led interpretative programs about the aquifer and the native flora and fauna, including classroom discussion and time on the trails. Especially popular has been the annual Family Day, begun last year, that features earth-friendly activities geared to children and adults, with special emphasis on helping people understand native plants and wildlife that occur naturally in the area.
In addition, additional staff positions are making possible a new Camp with a Ranger series, offering the chance to hike several miles into the park backcountry and camp for the first time. The friends group also oversees a Leave No Trace camping program in the more easily accessible "front country" area, emphasizing camping, hiking and cooking techniques that leave resources untrammeled and wildlife undisturbed.
"The increased funding is really accelerating what has been a gradual but steady growth of facilities, programs and opportunities for people at Government Canyon," said Deirdre Hisler, site superintendent. "We’re still a new site in the state park system, and we’ve been asking people to be patient as we grow. Now that patience is being rewarded."
State investments at Government Canyon State Natural Area should generate a strong return for the host community. A 2005 Texas A&M University research report proved state parks draw outside visitor dollars into host counties. Economic activity associated with the 80 state parks studied generated an estimated total of $793 million in retail sales, had a $456 million impact on residents’ income and created roughly 11,928 jobs statewide.
The research team interviewed more than 11,000 visitors to Texas state parks in 2002 and 2004. The study was led by Texas A&M University professor John Crompton, Ph.D. and his colleagues from the university’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. The Texas Coalition for Conservation, a nonprofit umbrella group formed to support parks and natural resource conservation, commissioned the research to determine the economic value of state parks. For cost reasons, only 80 state parks were selected for the A&M study. There are currently 93 state parks in Texas.
Crompton and his colleagues also analyzed expenditures of park visitors from outside host counties, excluding spending by local residents and "casual" state park visitors attracted to the community for other reasons. For each park studied, the research consistently showed that state parks draw non-local visitors to host counties.
"Tourism is a major component of the Texas economy," Crompton recently told members of the Texas State Parks Advisory Committee in Austin. "Attractions drive tourism and state parks operate more of these desired attractions than any other entity in the state."
Researchers say investing money on facilities upkeep, interpretation and services to enhance the visitor experience can boost the economic value of parks.
"State parks," Crompton contends, "are analogous to retail stores. Economic success depends on what happens inside the facility. Investments in park services and amenities mean more visitors and higher per capital expenditures, which equals higher revenues to the state and more jobs and income for local residents."
The complete "Economic Contributions of Texas State Parks" research report, including fact sheets on each of the 80 parks studied, can be downloaded from the TPWD Web site.
Details on Government Canyon SNA, including visitor facilities, hours and fees, maps and directions, can also be viewed online.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744
