Chamber News

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Trail Ride October 19-21, 2018

2018-10-03T10:00:35-05:00

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Trail Ride

Strawn Texas

October 19-21, 2018

Saturday’s Ride will be all day - pack a lunch

To Register, contact Janis Janes - text (817) 734-1249 or email - j [DOT] janes [AT] tcu [DOT] edu

Come out to the park and ride the trails all day Saturday 9a.m. – 3:00p.m.(pack a lunch to eat on the trail), and Sunday morning 9:30a.m. - noon. Ham will be provided for our evening meal Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Please bring a dish to share and a drink for yourself. No other meals provided.

Primitive camping only (no hook-ups). Water for horses will be provided, but no potable water available. Port-a-Potty on site. Negative Coggins required, no exceptions There are no trees to tie picket lines. You will need to bring portable pens or tie horses to your trailers. Trails are moderately demanding in terrain and grades. TRAILS ARE ROCKY. SHOES/BOOTS are highly recommended.

Last Spring, we had several suffering from heat/dehydration. Please remember to pack appropriate clothing for sun protection and plenty of water. State Park website recommends 8 oz of water per hour during outdoor activities.

CHECK-IN: Friday after 3:00 p.m. and Saturday between 7:30-8:30 a.m. Cost for the event is $30.00 for the weekend or the day.

OCTOBER IS THE KICK OFF MONTH FOR JOINING THE PALO PINTO MOUNTAINS STATE PARK PARTNERS. Membership levels are Individual $10/ Family $20/ Business $30 (Please supply a business card at check-in)

Burn Ban - If the Burn Ban is lifted for this ride, campfires will be permitted only in your own ELEVATED fire rings. There are NO fire rings on site.

Directions:

From I-20 exit 361 to Highway 16 north to Strawn 4 miles

From US Hwy 180, travel south on Hwy 16 to Strawn

In Strawn take FM 2372 (Tucker Lake Road) west for approx. 4 miles. Trail Ride Signs will be posted.

PARKING: Go past the main gate (on left) and follow signs posted. We will be parking on the LEFT side of the road about 2 miles west of Park Headquarters in the Cedar Elm Equestrian Parking.

This trail ride is underwritten by Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Partners.

All proceeds from this ride will be donated to Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Partners.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank TETRA for their help and support over the past several years.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is not open to the public. This ride is by invitation only.

New State Park Planned for Palo Pinto County by KTAB

2015-04-14T15:24:06-05:00

by Victor Sotelo and Anthony Pekowski for KTAB (Abilene CBS Affiliate), 01/28/2015

"A new state park is in the works for Palo Pinto County near the city of Strawn.

According to Strawn city officials, the proposed project could bring the city a huge economic boost.

"Back in the twenties, Strawn had approximately 5,000 residence, and it's been in a slow decline ever since then," Jeff Hinkson, Strawn Chamber of Commerce, said."

See the video and the full article...

Take A Sneak Peek At The Newest State Park In Texas by KERA News

2015-04-14T15:28:50-05:00

by Doualy Xaykaothao - Aug 8, 2014

"Texas will soon have a new state park – and it's a little more than an hour west of Fort Worth.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is 4,400 acres. It's a gorgeous slice of land in the rolling woodland near the town of Strawn, population 700.

It won't open for at least a few more years, but locals are excited about the park's potential."

See the full article and photos...

Attention, Texas Legislature: We're still waiting for Palo Pinto Park

2015-04-14T15:42:43-05:00

Fort Worth Star Telegram Editorial, 08/08/2014 6:48 PM

"Newcomers grin when we talk about the Palo Pinto Mountains.

But the gentle hills in western Palo Pinto County are the only mountains we have near Dallas-Fort Worth, and we want to enjoy them.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department told us we could. When state officials gave up on the idea of an Eagle Mountain Lake State Park northwest of Fort Worth in 2006, officials told us they would use the money for a much larger, more useful Palo Pinto Mountains State Park a short drive away near Strawn.

Eight years later, Texans have yet to see the new park.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say they need more money to add trails, campsites and other facilities before they can open the park.

The Palo Pinto park is one of four state parks bought but never opened for the lack of funding. Besides an estimated $30 million to finish all four parks, it also would take about $1.5 million each year to operate them.

Every city thinks the nearest park is the most important, but there is a good case for funding the Palo Pinto park soon."

Read the full article...

New State Park West of Fort Worth Awaits Funding

2015-04-14T16:15:08-05:00

by Bill Hanna - billhanna [AT] star-telegram [DOT] com
Fort Worth Star Telegram, 08/03/2014 7:38 PM

"Residents in Strawn are hoping the long-planned Palo Pinto Mountains State Park will eventually provide a boost to the small town’s economy.

Outdoor enthusiasts, meanwhile, are looking forward to the day they’ll have a new state park about an hour west of Fort Worth."

Read the full story...

Texas Monthly Bucket List 2010 - Mary's Café was #47

2015-04-14T15:11:26-05:00

The Bucket List - Texas Monthly, March 2010

by Patricia McConnico, Stephen Harrigan, Don Graham, Skip Hollandsworth, Brian D. Sweany, and Pamela Colloff

"Driving the River Road, in far West Texas; having a drink at the Mansion on Turtle Creek, in Dallas; fishing for bass in Caddo Lake; eating a chicken-fried steak in Strawn; searching for a lightning whelk along the coast; and 58 other things that all Texans must do before they die."

"47. Eat a Chicken-Fried Steak at Mary's Cafe, in Strawn."

"The full Mary's experience begins with the inevitable hike in from wherever you parked on the dusty two-lane highway out front. (Do not arrive at noon or six p.m.) It continues with the wait for a table in the plain-Jane room, with its beige walls, black chairs, and beer signs. (Repeat: Do not arrive at noon or six p.m.) Once you place your order for a chicken-fried steak, things start hopping. Unless the place is slammed, your steak will arrive at supersonic speed in all its golden-brown, plate-lapping glory. Half an inch thick, tenderized on-site, it's cooked on a flat grill, the old-fashioned way. In other words, it's not one of those preposterously battered, preternaturally fluffy modern CFSs. Cut off a piece with your fork (knife unnecessary) and take a bite. It tastes of meat, not grease or batter. Dip it in the cup of generously peppered cream gravy that comes alongside. The flavors meld deliciously. By the time you finish your steak, choice of potato, and Texas toast, you won't be hungry again for a week. 119 Grant Ave., 254-672-5741."

Read the full article...