PARKS

CENTENNIAL FUND WILL PRODUCE NEW STATE PARKS

On election day in November, voters made it clear: state parks matter to the people of Texas. Proposition 14, which creates the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, passed with overwhelming support from Texas voters.

On election day in November, voters made it clear: state parks matter to the people of Texas. Proposition 14, which creates the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, passed with overwhelming support from Texas voters.

The $1 billion fund is derived from a portion of state budget surplus and creates a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing state parks.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Texas State Parks thanks to the unwavering support from the Texans who voted to adopt Proposition 14,” says David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “This historic vote confirms the value Texans place on conserving outdoor spaces for the enjoyment of all Texans.”

The Texas state park system celebrated its 100th birthday in 2023 and includes 88 parks, natural areas and historic sites visited by nearly 10 million people every year. In a state where less than five percent of land is available for public enjoyment, Texas State Parks provide an opportunity to more than 30 million Texans (and growing) to spend time outside fishing, taking a stroll or sleeping under the stars.

“The Centennial Parks Conservation Fund is the largest investment in parks in our state’s history and will help usher in a new golden age in time for our bicentennial,” says Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. “Now with secured funding for land acquisitions, we look forward to conserving more of Texas’ unique landscape and creating more state parks and memories for the next generation.”

TPWD has never had a fund dedicated to acquiring and developing state parks, and while it has created some opportunities working with partners to extend available dollars, Proposition 14 is designed to provide a steady pool of resources the department can draw on to meet Texas’ future conservation and outdoor recreation needs.

In Texas, the first phase of growth in state parks came in the 1930s when the Civilian Conservation Corps was deployed across the state to build parks, producing parks such as Garner, Abilene and Tyler. The second major phase occurred in the 1970s after Texas passed a bond package and cigarette tax to pay for parks. This led to the creation of parks such as Enchanted Rock, Galveston Island and Guadalupe River. Texas hasn’t opened a new state park since Government Canyon in 2005. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is slated to be the next park to open.