East Texas could land the state’s next new state park

The proposed park would sit on roughly 650 acres about 25 miles east of Athens, between Tyler and Athens, in a region state officials say has long been underserved by state parks.

According to TPWD, a local landowner is willing to sell the property to the state for the project. The tract includes woods, pastures, small ponds and lakes, making it well suited for a variety of outdoor recreation.

If acquired, the property has been identified as a potential site for overnight camping and day-use facilities, with opportunities for boating, swimming, paddleboarding, fishing, hunting, hiking and other outdoor activities on and around Lake Palestine.

“Staff acquires new state parks from willing sellers to expand and improve recreational opportunities, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, and complement conservation and recreation on existing Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public lands,” TPWD said in its proposal. “Acquisition of this tract will add a new state park to the department’s public land system in a region that is currently considered to be underserved and provide greater outdoor experiences and opportunities for the citizens of Texas.”

The proposal is currently open for public comment, with Texans able to submit feedback through TPWD’s website until 5 p.m. on Aug. 19.

The potential acquisition is part of a broader expansion of the Texas state park system. At least eight new state parks and major natural areas are officially in development following voter approval of the $1 billion Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. TPWD previously said the funding could help create as many as a dozen new state parks over the next decade.

The agency celebrated a major milestone earlier this year when Palo Pinto Mountains State Park near Strawn officially opened, becoming the first brand-new state park to open in North Texas in 25 years.

More recently, TPWD acquired nearly 54,000 acres in Edwards and Kinney counties for the future Silver Lake State Park, which is expected to become the second-largest state park in Texas once completed.