Mission Tejas State Park plans improvements
By Teresa Holloway
Messenger Special Reporter
MISSION TEJAS – All eyes are on the changes under way in Mission Tejas State Park. Current improvements and future projects are designed to enhance the environment and the public enjoyment of the park, according to Park Ranger Josh Crawford.
“Without the people, it’s not a park. It becomes a preserve, at that point,” Crawford said.
Heavy machinery, new building construction and graded areas for new roads are visible from the highway.
“Crews are working ahead of schedule to complete enhancements to the area,” Crawford said. “We have a new entrance being built to the park, for the first time in a long while. They broke ground in September and have been rocking and rolling ever since.”
“We have three new buildings coming. There will be a new park headquarters, restrooms on this end of the park and a new museum which will be dedicated to the El Camino Real de las Tejas,” Crawford explained.
“In addition to that, we will have a true parking lot which will be safer and eliminate the bottle-neck at the current entry to the park. Something a little more modern … it’s just one area of growth to the park,” he said.
“These improvements are the result of some money from House Bill 158, which utilizes sporting goods tax money, and some grant money. This is a big effort to make all this happen,” he explained.
Among projected improvements to the park is a solar-powered aerator for the small lake, Crawford said.
“Stephen F. Austin forestry volunteers have been working tirelessly on weekends and have already accomplished many of the preliminary taskings necessary for the project to go forward,” he said.
The SFA volunteers have completed the first two of many phases of testing as well as clearing the lake bottom and some of the biological and environmental studies needed to garner project approval from the government.
An aerator in the lake would allow more fish growth and a healthier ecology in the lake itself, according to the ranger.
The overall health of the park and its components are critical to the general environment and for the greater enjoyment of the public, Crawford said.
One of the more popular programs, the “Leave No Trace” nature photographic scavenger hunt, kicked off last year and has seen a mounting attendance since its inception.
“This has been a huge success. We have had over 60 people do this in March alone,” Crawford said. “I tell people I’m going to make a harder, more advanced scavenger hunt. I’m keeping the original for a few more months and then unveiling the harder one. That way, everyone has a chance to do the easier one, then the harder one will be next,” he said.
“The excitement of the parents, the success of the program, it’s been unreal. It is a great way for kids to still enjoy their technology and be out in nature – no easy feat,” he said.
“The hunt involves photographing everything from animal tracks to poison ivy, signs of spider activity, fungi, wildflowers, thorny plants … there are a number of items to search for. These types of things that don’t just jump out at you,” Crawford said.
The forested Mission Tejas environs provide a multi-use entertainment venue for the region with festivals, holiday and regular excursions. These programs are well attended, according to the ranger.
Crawford expressed excitement about the upcoming Easter programs.
“On Saturday, April 15, there will be a huge Easter Egg Hunt. This is a free event, it’s huge. There will be hundreds of eggs here for different age groups to come search for, eggs full of candy, prizes, gift baskets and events for kids during the day.”
The old chapel will host the Easter Sunrise service at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 16.
“Every year this event grows. Sometimes we wonder where we are going to put everyone, but everybody is so happy to be here,” he said. “Coffee, donuts and kolaches round out the event.”
If you are looking for reservations for any of the events or just camping, start planning earlier than last year, Crawford advised.
“Get them while you can. We get more and more booked every year. This is something to stay on top of as we continue to grow,” Crawford said.
The 12th annual Folk Festival will begin April 29. The program runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and is sponsored and organized by the Friends of Mission Tejas society.
This once-a-year event is heavily attended and highlights the crafts, skills and survival methods of past generations.
“Participants in period costumes demonstrate skills such as flint knapping, blacksmithing, chair making, cooking and spinning, just to name a few things,” Crawford said.
“The best way to keep up with all the events going on here at the park is through our Facebook page, ‘Friends of Mission Tejas State Park’,” he said.
Crawford explained that while the park offers many benefits to the public, it also benefits from public participation.
“Those looking to play an active role in the park can volunteer and if they really want to become a steward of the park, they can join the Friends of Mission Tejas group. It’s a booster club to support Mission Tejas. They meet every third Sunday at 2 p.m. in the maintenance shop of the park.”
“All the funds ‘Friends’ raise goes 100 percent to the park,” Crawford said. “They help buy GPS units, Geocaching boxes, prizes, projector screens, speakers and other items. They help support our mission both financially and phyically. We are blessed to have them. Not every park has a group like this and they are a huge asset.”
Volunteers are always welcome. “There’s always a way to help. Just picking up trash and helping beautify the park, coming out and helping on Sundays after everyone leaves the park, all those things help,” he said.
For those who want to help but are unable to volunteer, cash donations to the Friends of Mission Tejas are all invested 100 percent back into the park, Crawford stressed.
“In the immediate future, with the new buildings, the museum will need volunteers to stay in there and help keep it open. We will need more hands on deck when the enhancements are up and running,” he said.
“Keep an eye on the Facebook page, or just give us a call,” he said.
Mission Tejas State Park is located at 120 State Park Road No. 44 just outside Grapeland. The office phone number is 936-687-2394.