Texas Opens First State Park in 20 Years

The 4,871-acre park, situated on former ranchland near Strawn, was acquired by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 2011. Its opening marks the first debut of a new Texas state park since Resaca de la Palma opened near Brownsville in 2008. Development of the park was funded through a combination of a special legislative appropriation, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax, and federal funds. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation also played a crucial role, raising $10 million in private philanthropy to support the construction. The park's landscape features juniper-topped hills, hardwood bottomlands, and several 1,400-foot peaks, often described as the "hill country of the north". At the center of the park is the 68-acre Tucker Lake, which was originally built by the Works Progress Administration in 1937 as a water source for the city of Strawn. Visitors will have access to over 16 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The park offers various camping options, including sites for RVs, walk-in tents, and primitive hike-in locations. Tucker Lake allows for fishing, swimming, and boating with non-motorized vessels, and a fishing license is not required to fish from the shore or a pier. The park is also a habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, which can be spotted in the oak and Ashe juniper trees during the spring. The land has a rich history, with evidence of Indigenous people living there for over 8,000 years. The park's March 1 opening is considered a soft launch, with a formal grand opening celebration anticipated later in the spring.