New State Park Planned for Lake Palestine in East Texas

A new state park is being established at Lake Palestine in East Texas, featuring amenities such as hike-and-bike trails, campsites, and lakefront access. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has acquired a 650-acre ranch near Lake Palestine for over $10 million. Approximately 100 miles southeast of Dallas, this ranch, which was listed for just under $10 million, is predominantly wooded at 60% with the remaining 40% consisting of pasture.

Improvements to the ranch will be made before it is officially transferred to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in late 2027, coinciding with funding availability from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. This initiative will protect a significant habitat in East Texas and enhance public access to Lake Palestine, which spans over 25,500 acres across four counties. The foundation’s executive director, Anne Brown, emphasized the importance of this opportunity to safeguard the land for future generations. The property has been in the Pollard family since 1940, featuring a pecan orchard and a seven-acre lake. The director of the state park system, Rodney Franklin, praised the site as an ‘East Texas gem.’ Furthermore, public input will be welcomed throughout the development phases of the park.