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\u00a0underserved by state parks.<\/p>\n
According to\u00a0TPWD, 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.<\/p>\n
If acquired, the property has been identified as a potential site for overnight camping and day-use facilities, with opportunities for boating, swimming,\u00a0paddleboarding, fishing, hunting, hiking and other outdoor activities on and around Lake Palestine.<\/p>\n
“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<\/a> public lands,” TPWD said in its proposal<\/a>. “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.”<\/p>\n The proposal is currently open for public comment, with Texans able to submit feedback through\u00a0TPWD’s website until 5 p.m. on Aug. 19.<\/p>\n The potential acquisition is part of a broader expansion of the Texas state park system<\/a>. 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.\u00a0TPWD previously said the funding could help create as many as a dozen new state parks over the next decade.<\/p>\n