A “gem” of a landscape in eastern Texas has been sold by its multigenerational owners for the purpose of becoming a state park.
The property is the longest remaining, contiguous piece of land on Lake Palestine’s shore, and contains pine woods, short bluffs, wetlands, and a pecan orchard that will all soon be open for camping, kayaking, and other forms of recreation.
Sat across 650 acres in Henderson County, the property has for 80 years been owned by the Pollard Family, which built a business growing pecans there up until present day when the current owner, Sam Pollard, decided to put it on the market for public or private conservation purposes.
“This land is part of my soul,” Pollard, who’s also president of Texas Pecan Nursery, said in a statement. “It means a lot to me that we can leave a legacy for people to enjoy.”
The final price was a largely ceremonial pittance of just $1 million—paid by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation nonprofit which buys land that it believes could become Texas State Park land and holds it until the authorities can afford to buy it off them.
“Opportunities to protect a property like this don’t come along very often, and when they do, timing is critical,” said Anne Brown, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the statement. “TPWF was able to step in and secure this land now so it can ultimately become a place where generations of Texans can enjoy the outdoors.”
The property offers significant potential for both conservation and outdoor recreation. Lake Palestine reaches depths of 58 feet and is popular for boating, paddling, swimming and fishing for bass, catfish, and sunfish. Future park visitors will also enjoy scenic blufftop lake views, wildlife and bird watching, and the property’s existing pecan orchard. It also provides habitat for white-tailed deer, bobcats, waterfowl and a variety of woodland and water-dependent birds.
The statement details that the foundation will hold the property until the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department can acquire it in late 2027, when additional funding from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund becomes available. The fund was authorized several years ago to expand and improve the state park system and recreation opportunities offered therein.
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“We are excited to add this East Texas gem to the Texas State Park system,” said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks at TPWD. “Families will be able to enjoy lake recreation on Lake Palestine, along with the pecan trees that are a signature of the property. We are grateful to our partners, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and to owner Sam Pollard and his family who have generously allowed this special slice of the Pineywoods to be accessible for generations of Texans.”
The department plans to open the future park in phases, beginning with guided access, followed by day use and eventually full day and overnight access. After it purchases the property from the foundation, the department will invite public input to discuss options for the future park.
Once developed, planned amenities include hike and bike trails, traditional and primitive campsites, day-use areas and lakefront access. Habitat restoration will also be an important part of preparing the property for its future as a state park.
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