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."
