Wisevoter
Texas

Texas Foundation Acquires Land for New State Park

The state will add a 650-acre property near Lake Palestine to its growing public park system.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in National Parks

Screen-print poster illustration of a misty lakeside inlet surrounded by pine trees, evoking Texas land conservation efforts.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has acquired 650 acres near Lake Palestine to expand the state's park system by late next year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support prioritizing state funding for new public parks in your local area?

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has purchased a 650-acre property situated six miles south of Chandler near Lake Palestine. The land will be acquired by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department late next year to expand the state's outdoor recreation offerings.

Why it matters

This acquisition supports the expansion of a state park system that already serves nine million visitors annually. The new site will join 93 existing locations, further contributing to the $800 million in economic activity generated by Texas state parks.

The new 650-acre site was purchased for more than $10 million. This addition will supplement the current state park system, which includes 93 sites and hosts over nine million annual visitors.

The players

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation

This organization supports the conservation and preservation of Texas natural resources through land acquisitions and public outreach programs.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

This state agency is responsible for managing wildlife resources and operating the system of state parks across Texas.

Pollard family

The family held possession of the 650-acre property near Lake Palestine for several decades prior to the recent sale.

The details

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation purchased the land from the Pollard family. The state department plans to finalize the purchase using Sporting Good Sales Tax and Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars, with development to be funded through Centennial Fund interest.

Timeline

  1. The Pollard family obtained the property in the 1940s.

  2. Lake Palestine saw its first impoundment in 1962.

  3. The dam at the lake was enlarged in 1972.

  4. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is scheduled to purchase the property in late 2027.

Travel Outlook

The purchase follows the recent Centennial Fund acquisition pattern, which has secured 66,550 acres to date. This project aligns with state efforts to increase available recreational land to meet demand from millions of annual visitors.

Once completed, this site will provide additional outdoor space for residents and visitors to explore near Lake Palestine. Travelers should watch for future announcements regarding facility development and public access timelines as the department finalizes the transition.

The takeaway

Securing large tracts of land ensures that the growing number of visitors to Texas parks have adequate space for recreation. Families looking for outdoor travel should follow the department announcements to be among the first to visit this new site once it opens.

What happens next

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is scheduled to purchase the property from the Foundation in late 2027.

Further reading

Learn more about public recreation and preservation efforts in our National Parks section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Victoria Advocate.

Live Poll

Do you support prioritizing state funding for new public parks in your local area?