In his opening statement to a small crowd at the POC Library, Reagan Faught, State Parks Region 2 Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) emphasized that public input into the planning of the new Powderhorn State Park (PSP) is essential in making this natural resource into “Your Park”. The public comment meeting was held on Tuesday, September 24 and was the second in the series of public comment meetings the department has conducted.
A cadre of other TPWD staff were on hand to answer questions including a park planner, engineer, architect, GIS specialist as well as PSP Superintendent Sarah Affeldt, and Lead Ranger, Stephen Demarcus. Justin Fleury, Planning & Geospatial Resources Program Director, provided an overview of the history of the property, its features, and the updated park plans.
The 2253-acre park includes 3 miles of Matagorda Bay shoreline, 2.5 miles of Powderhorn Lake shoreline, tidal marshes, freshwater wetlands, coastal prairie, and an enchanting tunnel of ancient live oaks.
“ The park plan includes 90 overnight tent and RV camp sites, 30 day use sites, fishing and kayaking areas, and 8 – 12 miles of hike and bike trails. The old ranch house, which was refurbished by Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation after the property’s acquisition by collaborating conservation organizations, will be utilized as a gathering place for small groups. The main entrance will be on the north side of Highway 185 between The Sanctuary and the VEC transmission station. To reach the State Park, the entrance road will traverse Powderhorn Wildlife Management property for about 3 miles to PSP visitor center with fencing separating the two properties.
The parks staff has worked to incorporate the public’s input from the first series of public comment meetings, and provide planning to address concerns including utility capacity, emergency planning, law enforcement, and traffic safety. Much has yet to be done but a tentative date for the start of construction is September 2027 with the park opening in late 2029 or 2030.
An immediate task at hand is the hiring of a full-time office manager whose duties will include purchasing, budgeting, and oversight of the customer service support team. The job will soon be posted on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website (https://tpwd.texas.gov/jobs). Currently the park has a total of four positions but expects to employ up to eleven when the park is fully open.
Let’s make Powderhorn Our Park! TPWD is accepting questions and comments for this phase of the project until Oct. 31. They may be submitted to: Justin Fleury, TPWD park planner, justin.fleury@tpwd.texas.gov, 512-389-4367; Sarah Affeldt, Powderhorn State Park superintendent, sarah.affeldt@tpwd.texas.gov, 361-557-0006; or Reagan Faught, Texas State Parks regional director, reagan.faught@tpwd.texas.gov, 361-790-0303.
Sarah Affeldt, Powderhorn State Park Superintendent
and
Lead Ranger
Stephen Demarcus.
