Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has finalized the purchase of 1,100 acres in Lampasas and Burnet Counties, marking the completion of a two-phase acquisition aimed at establishing a new state park. The recent acquisition is located by the river opposite Colorado Bend State Park, featuring Yancey Creek, limestone bluffs, and several natural springs. Along with a previous acquisition of 2,020 acres in Burnet County, the new park will span over 3,000 acres.
The 1,100-acre property was acquired using funds from a one-time funding provision and sales taxes on sporting goods. The development of the park will be supported by the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion initiative approved by Texan voters in 2023 to finance new state parks.
“It’s great to see phase two of the acquisition process come to fruition with the purchase of this 1,100-acre property,” said Jeff Hildebrand, Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. This addition, in conjunction with the previous purchase, promises a novel state park experience near Colorado Bend State Park.
This purchase is part of a broader effort by TPWD to enhance public access to Texas's natural areas, aligning with recent acquisitions like the 3,703 acres at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and 500 acres at Lake Colorado City State Park. Thanking the team and Texan voters, TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz remarked, “The voters of Texas also deserve a huge thank you for saying ‘yes’ to the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which will make the development of this park possible.”
TPWD evaluates available properties to assess their potential value as state parks and has found this property’s features promising. Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks, is optimistic about the park's potential. He stated, “I’m excited for the addition of the second piece of this property in what will become a new 3,000-plus acre Texas State Park.” This acquisition is expected to grant visitors access to the Colorado River and diverse landscapes.
Located about ten miles upstream from Lake Buchanan, the new site aims to offer extra recreational opportunities and conservation efforts for natural springs and habitats. TPWD plans to engage the public in shaping the recreational blueprint for the park, anticipating that it may take several months to finalize. Updates on milestones, including a potential opening date, will be communicated in due course.
