Opinion: We can launch a golden era for our state parks
My wife, three kids and I are well on our way to visiting every Texas state park. If voters approve Proposition 14 this November, that goal will be harder to achieve – but that’s a good thing.
When the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) released a scratch-off map of the state parks as part of this year’s celebration of the centennial of the state parks system, we bought one as soon as we could. My wife busily scratched off all 45 of the ones we’d visited. When she accidentally scratched off a park we hadn’t yet been to – Lost Maples State Natural Area – we hopped in the car and drove there straight away so as to correct the error. We liked it so much, we’re headed back there for two nights this Thanksgiving to see the fall foliage (recently declared the best in all of America).
We adore our state parks. We’re constantly delighted to be reminded of how gorgeous our state can be. When we arrive at one, the moods of our children, seemingly magically, improve dramatically. The bickering stops and the romping in the trees and waters begins.
And we’re not alone. Almost 10 million people visited Texas state parks in 2021 to go camping, hiking, fishing or climbing or just to grill and hang out with family and friends. Many of us also seek out nature to ponder the universe, getting away from the city lights to see the infinite starry sky or a rare solar eclipse.
But the capacity of our state parks hasn’t kept pace with our rapid population growth. Texas ranks just 35th in state park acres per capita and it shows. Too many Texans have had the misfortune of having to plan months in advance to book a campsite at some of our most popular parks.
On a whim once, I rallied the family to get in the car and drive to McKinney Falls State Park here in Austin for a hike. Unfortunately when we arrived, the gates were closed, as the park had hit capacity hours before. I was tempted to embrace my inner Clark Griswold and force our way in, but thankfully thought better of it.
As our population grows, development is overrunning more and more of the iconic Texas countryside. In fact, we’re losing about 20 football fields of forests, farmland and other open spaces every hour as our cities sprawl out farther and farther. Development is even encroaching on our state parks. A trail at McKinney Falls was closed because hikers now see buildings from the trail.
This transformation has taken its toll not just on our vistas, but also the critters we share our state with. Here in Texas, extinction threatens 221 species, including the horned lizard and the golden cheeked warbler, in large part due to habitat loss. Development, including in the Hill Country, threatens waterways with pollution and overpumping.
Fortunately, this November, Texas voters have a historic opportunity to make the largest investment in nature in our history. Proposition 14 would create the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion budget item designed to invest in land for new state parks.
The fund will launch a new golden age for our state parks, allowing TPWD to create dozens of new state parks in the coming years. This will allow us to preserve some of the state’s most beautiful spots before they’re lost forever, securing opportunities for future Texans to experience wild Texas and the great outdoors for generations to come.
My family will probably have to buy a new map with all the new parks, but it’ll be worth it.
Metzger is executive director of Environment Texas, a nonprofit advocate for clean air and water, parks and wildlife, and a livable climate.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Opinion: We can launch a golden era for our state parks
