Texas parks...newly renovated and scheduled to get even better!

Texas parks are now much more inviting. Most have additional employees to ensure camping trips that are both fun and safe; parks are better maintained; campgrounds, once closed, are now open and most parks have new programs and longer hours of operation. Families should find much to enjoy without having to drive too far.

It's important to note that even more bonds will be approved and sold this summer. Approximately $27 million more is allocated for infrastructure repairs. Design and construction contracts will be let this fall and the bulk of the remaining work will start next year. All of the new funding helps create and sustain thousands of jobs. Residents in communities near parks depend on revenue generated by tourism. Recent research involving 80 Texas state parks shows that in 2005, Texas parks generated more than $790 million in retail sales, had a $456 million impact on income of residents of nearby communities and created nearly 12,000 jobs!

Here's a quick overview of additional renovation that will commence in the near future:

At Balmorhea State Park, nearly $400,000 has been allocated for repairs to the San Solomon Courts motel, a historic facility originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.

The CCC buildings at Bastrop State Park are due for more than $3.6 million in repairs, which include everything from plumbing upgrades to foundation and roof repairs. Buescher State Park will undergo more than $860,000 in foundation repairs to its park recreation hall built by the CCC.

Choke Canyon State Park will let a contract for a full-service refuse collector and Daingerfield State Park will hire a firm to design and construct a wastewater system. Restrooms in camping areas will also be replaced.

A 1930s CCC structure at Davis Mountains State Park has been allocated $618,725. Repairs will be made to the historic warehouse building and work will be done on a ranger's residence in the park. Falcon State Park will receive $268,600 for renovation.

Tyler State Park will get $2 million in bond funding to update restrooms, renovate a camping area, repair a group facility, convert existing screen shelters into cottages and to renovate CCC buildings.

At one of Texas park-goers' favorite spots, Garner State Park, 17 cabins built by the CCC will be renovated at a cost of $1.3 million. Nearly $200,000 in bond funds will be used to repair 22 screen shelters and another $45,000 will be used to renovate, enclose and air-condition the older group shelters.

At Lake Whitney State Park, bond funding of $480,000 has been set for renovations. Another $1.7 million will be used to upgrade water systems. Lake Brownwood State Park will receive more than $230,000 in Proposition 4 funding to improve the existing water plant.

Bottom line - contractors interested in performing the upcoming work should get busy and begin making contacts while families looking for camping fun should call for park reservations and information.