The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host a second round of public meetings in Kerrville and Houston on July 8 and 9 to gather feedback on the Public Use Plan for Bear Creek State Park, the agency announced in a July 2 news release.
The meetings build on community engagement conducted in May and will show residents how that earlier input has helped shape planning directions for the park’s expansion area, the agency said. The Public Use Plan will guide future decisions related to access, trail design and long-term resource protection at the Hill Country park.
According to the release, attendees will be able to review planning directions covering day-use recreation, trail types, visitor access and the prioritization of park features. The agency described the effort as part of a broader push to protect sensitive landscapes, ease visitor pressures and thoughtfully broaden access to the park’s geological, ecological and cultural resources. Maps showing proposed facilities, potential recreation areas and trail connections will be available at the meetings, along with opportunities to ask questions and provide additional input.
The Kerrville meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kerrville Schreiner Park Recreation Hall, 2385 Bandera Hwy. The Houston meeting follows on Thursday, July 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Dr.
Texans unable to attend in person can still weigh in. TPWD said an online questionnaire will launch July 8 and remain open for 30 days. The survey is mobile-friendly, will be offered in both English and Spanish and will be posted on the Bear Creek State Park project webpage on the TPWD website.
The agency noted that anyone needing a reasonable modification to participate in the meetings should submit the online modification request form at least two weeks before the meeting date or email accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. Questions about the plan can be directed to Maria Malone, Texas State Parks senior park planner. The feedback gathered this month will help determine how one of the state park system’s newest additions balances public recreation with conservation for years to come.