Bastrop State Park

Bastrop State Park
Bastrop State Park Lake is surrounded by the "Lost Pines of Texas" and is prime breeding ground for the Houston toad
Location Bastrop County, Texas
Nearest city Bastrop, Texas
Coordinates 30°6′39″N 97°16′25″W / 30.11083°N 97.27361°W / 30.11083; -97.27361Coordinates: 30°6′39″N 97°16′25″W / 30.11083°N 97.27361°W / 30.11083; -97.27361
Built 1933
Architect Maier, Herbert et al.; Henry, A.R. et al.
Architectural style Bungalow/Craftsman, Other
Visitation 225,348[1] (2007)
NRHP Reference # 97001242
Significant dates
Added to NRHP September 25, 1997[2]
Designated NHLD September 25, 1997[3]

Bastrop State Park is a state park in Bastrop County in Central Texas. The park was established in 1938 and consists of stands of loblolly pines mixed with post oak and junipers.

History

Over 2,000 acres (810 ha) for the park was donated to the state by the city of Bastrop in 1938. Companies 1805 and 1811 of the Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the park facilities between 1933 and 1939 using native stone to blend with the landscape. The facilities were designed by architect Arthur Fehr.[4]

The State of Texas purchased an additional 1,450 acres (590 ha) in 1979 and another 1,000 acres (400 ha) in 2000 to expand the golf course from 9 holes to 18 holes. Subsequent land purchases by the state in 2001 brought the park to its current size of 5,926 acres (2,398 ha).

In September 2011, 96% of the park was burned by the Bastrop County Complex fire. Only around 100 acres were saved.[5] Most CCC structures were saved, but were still threatened. The park was closed on September 4 due to the fire and did not reopen until December 2.[6] In 2012, a campaign was begun to restore the forest within 30 years by replacing 4 million burned trees.[7]

On May 25, 2015, the earthen dam impounding Bastrop State Park Lake failed after hours of heavy rain in the area. The lake emptied and flooded across Texas State Highway 71. The water moved through a subdivision south of the highway and emptied into the Colorado River.[8]

Features

The park's trails include an 8.5-mile (13.7 km) loop through the park's undeveloped area. There is also an 18-hole golf course, open all year round, which winds through the forest. There is a large swimming pool open during the summer months.

Bastrop State Park is 4 miles (6.4 km) to the west of Buescher State Park, and the two are connected by Park Road 1.

Flora

Loblolly pine forest at Bastrop State Park.

The main feature of the park is the stands of loblolly pines (Pinus taeda). This pine woodland is isolated from the main body of East Texas pines by approximately 100 miles (160 km) of post oak (Quercus stellata) woodlands giving the Bastrop State Park Loblollies the nickname the "Lost Pines of Texas."

In the forested areas, numerous species of fungi may be found.

Fauna

Bastrop State Park is home to the largest mating group of the endangered Houston toad on public land. Areas of the park are closed to the public during the toad's mating season in February, March and April. The park also has white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, Virginia opossums and nine-banded armadillos. Northern cardinals are one of the species of birds found in the park.

Entrance to Bastrop State Park off Texas State Highway 21

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Texas State Parks: Natural Economic Assets". Window on State Government. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  2. ↑ Staff (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  3. ↑ "Bastrop State Park". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  4. ↑ "Interpretive Guide to Bastrop and Buescher State Parks" (PDF). Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD). 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  5. ↑ Texas Parks and Wildlife
  6. ↑ Dave Harmon. "Past The Ashes" Austin American-Statesman Nov. 24, 2011 pp 1,7.
  7. ↑ http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/campaign-starts-to-replace-4-million-burned-trees-2444816.html
  8. ↑ "Dam ruptures at Bastrop State Park Lake". Retrieved 26 May 2015.

External links

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