| Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced Monday it has laid the groundwork for a new state park in Central Texas with the purchase of 2,020 acres in Burnet County. The property includes two miles along the Colorado River and is located across the river from Colorado Bend State Park. Its purchase solidifies phase one of a potential two-phase property purchase to create a new state park comprising more than 3,000 acres. TPWD is exploring an additional 1,100-acre property in Lampasas and Burnet counties which was presented at the Jan. 22-23 Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting. The commission authorized TPWD’s executive director to take all necessary steps to acquire the approximately 1,100 acres from a willing seller. TPWD purchased the 2,020-acre property utilizing a combination of a one-time funding appropriation and funds from sporting goods sales tax. The new state park will be developed through the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion fund overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2023 to create a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing new state parks. This land acquisition is one of many made by the TPWD in recent months, with the goal of expanding public access to Texas’ natural spaces in more corners of the state. This achievement joins the previous two acquisitions totaling 3,703 acres at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area along with the purchase of the 500-acre Lake Colorado City State Park, amongst others. “It’s great to see these acquisitions which will provide public access and conserve their beautiful landscapes for years to come,” said Jeff Hildebrand, Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. “This property near the current Colorado Bend State Park is the cornerstone for what will be a brand-new park.” |
TPWD Finalizes Purchase of 2,020 Acres Near Colorado Bend State Park
