Memorial Day Weekend

The park was open and operational for Memorial
Day Weekend. All of our campsites were booked,
and our day-use area was busy!
Although Memorial Day is known as the unofficial
start to summer, we did not forget the reason for
this federal holiday. Saturday afternoon the park
held a small, but memorable TAPS ceremony to remember
all those who lost their lives fighting for
the freedom that we get to enjoy. A big thank you for graduating senior
Hayes Neal for volunteering to play TAPS for us.
The weather was sunny and bright, but at the end of the TAPS
ceremony a small rain cloud came over and rained lightly for about
15 seconds, it felt a little like tears.

Park Closures

This May has been incredibly rainy. There were weeks where it rained at least
once a day. This created problems with flooding in the surrounding communities
and with both Steinhagen Lake and Rayburn Lake north of the park.
Park Superintendent, Chuck Hubbard made the wise decision to close the park
for a short time from Tuesday May 18th to Sunday May 23rd.
Almost all of the park’s campsites were full of standing water, the ground
was soggy and water was flowing across the road in more than one
section of the park. Due to the saturated soil we had the added
problem of numerous trees uprooting and falling.
Field Rangers and volunteer park hosts worked diligently to cut fallen trees, move storm debris,
and pump water out of campsites so that the park would be open and ready for
Memorial Weekend.
For June and July expect the Walnut Ridge Unit and the Education Center to be
closed to all visitors. TXDOT will be in this section of the park working on the roads,
rv sites, and parking areas. We are expecting to open Walnut Ridge in August, stay
tuned.

Volunteer Opportunities

Education Center Staffing Needs
If you’re available to lead a program or guided hike
the morning of Saturday June 5th or all anytime
of the day Saturday June 26th please email, text,
or call Ranger Amy at 409-698-6636,
amy.kocurek@tpwd.texas.gov
Volunteer in the Wildscape Garden.
Our Wildscape garden has been upgraded and is
easier than ever to maintain, (if it’s growing in the
walking path, pull it!) BUT it still needs maintaining.
If you’d like to help pull a few weeds it’s easier
than ever to do so. You also get the added bonus of
keeping overgrown volunteer plants such as lilac
bee balm, passion vine, and much more! Due to
park closures please contact Ranger Amy prior to
coming out to the park at
amy.kocurek@tpwd.texas.gov or 409-698-6636
(call or text).