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May 6, 2026

First Annual

State of the State Parks Address

Image Courtesy: TPWD

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Creation Story

By such action, the government of Texas would establish, before it is too late, a system of state parks where the rank and file of the people of Texas and elsewhere may go and forget the anxieties, the strife, and the vexations of life’s daily grind.

Texas Governor Pat Neff

1923 - On creation of Texas State Parks Board

Photo Courtesy: The Texas Collection: Baylor University

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Current Situation

92 Properties

State Parks

State Natural Areas

State Historic Sites

Miscellaneous

4 are “Closed for Development”

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/parks-map

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“At Its Discretion”

1993-Sporting Goods Sales Tax Carveout

Not a new tax

6.25% on Estimated Sporting Equipment Sales

“at its discretion”

Average of only 40% of SGST went to TPWD

Dire Conditions in Texas Parks

Limited/No Property Acquisition Funds

2019-Constitutional Amendment

Robust Lobbying

Truly Dedicates SGST to TWPD

Voters Approved 88% to 12%

2026-Budgeted $160mm+

Image Courtesy: apostilleTexas.org

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Centennial Parks Conservation Fund

Constitutional Amendment Created Endowment

Passed in 2023: 77% to 23%

“for creation and improvement of state parks”

$1 billion from state surplus in fund

Accelerated Development Phases

12 to 48 month schedules

Image Courtesy: Texas Conservation Alliance

Now we turn to another really good news story, and that’s the voter approved CPCF. This amendment was overwhelmingly approved by Texas voters in late 2023. It’ already approved, so you can do something else on Nov 7th.

The fine print provides that the funds are: “for creation and improvement of state parks” and “may not be used for salaries, benefits, administration, operating, or program costs”.

In my opinion the real takeaway from these 2 amendment elections is that most Texans feel a strong affinity for our natural areas, and voted 3 to 1 for better financial support to protect those areas.

Now I am going to highlight a handful of parks that are now in development, thanks to the CPCF, and provide an idea of what new parks will open in the coming years.

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Post Oak Ridge SP

Hill Country

3100 acres-CPCF Purchase - Jan 2025

85 Miles NW of Austin

Adjacent Colorado Bend SP

Periodic Access

Courtesy: TPWD Flickr: Post Oak Ridge SP_9763

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Powderhorn WMA/SP

Coastal Prairie & Wetlands

17,351 acres-Complex Donation/TPWF/TNC/BP-2018

145 Miles SW of Houston

Matagorda Bay Frontage

SP-TBD

WMA & Paddling Trails - Now Open

Photo Courtesy: The Nature Conservancy

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Albert & Bessie Kronkosky SNA

Hill Country

3,814 acres-Willed to State in 2011

40 Miles NW of San Antonio

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Construction Projects Underway

Opening-TBD/2027?

Photos courtesy: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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Bear Creek SP

Balcones Canyonlands

1720 acres-CPCF Purchase Aug 2025

85 Miles W of San Antonio

Adjacent Garner SP

Online Survey Open

Access-Fall 2026

Photo copyright: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Sonja Sommerfeld, TPWD)

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Additional TPWD Properties for Development

Silver Lake Ranch

54,000 acres in Kinney & Edwards Counties

(2 hours west of San Antonio)

Recent 87% Interest Gift

Chinati Mountains SNA

39,000+ acres donated in Mid 1990s

Far West Texas

Access Issues

Open in 2032

Davis Hill SP

45 miles NE of Houston On Trinity River

1700 acres

Owned by TWPD since 1983

Existing Park Expansions/Openings:

Enchanted Rock SP

Lockhart SP

Honey Creek SNA

Caprock Canyons SP & Trailway

Palo Pinto Mountains SP

I also want to mention a few other properties that you will start to hear more about. Late last year, the Moody Foundation gifted their interest in the 54,000 acre Silver Lake Ranch, and the remaining interest has been purchased by the state. Also, TPWD owns 39,000 acres in the Chinati Mountains, that was donated about 30 years ago, again highlighting the length of time it takes to bring a new park online. These two gifts are indications of trends that are now taking place in American society. Survey data shows that 70% ofr US cropland will change hands in next 20 years, which, in my option, can set a crude expectation of additional donations here in Texas, further expanding our park system, within the existing financial limits.

Davis Hill is another example of that long lead time to get a park opened. The state has opened this property for 43 years.

Also, you may have seen media coverage of recent additions to existing Texas state parks, as indicated here.

Finally, in closing, I want to return back to Governor Neff, and leave you with additional words that he shared as he was wrapping up his term as governor in 1924.

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Governor Neff’s Counsel