Ribbon Cut on Scenic, Historic Daingerfield State Park

Media Contact: Bryan Frazier, Texas State Parks, (512) 826-8703, icle__media__contact">Media Contact: Bryan Frazier, Texas State Parks, (512) 826-8703, bryan.frazier@tpwd.texas.gov

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Northeast Texas Park Celebrates Opening after Yearlong Closure, Renovations

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DAINGERFIELD, TX—More than 500 visitors entered the gate to celebrate the grand reopening and ceremonial ribbon cutting of Daingerfield State Park, set in the backdrop of northeast Texas’ Pineywoods autumn landscape.

After almost an entire calendar year of closure for repairs and renovations to facilities and campgrounds, the park is once again hosting campers, anglers, hikers and nature lovers on its 500 acres, miles of trails, lake shore, and Civilian Conservation Corp-built cabins and pavilion.

“It is a place for people from all over to enjoy,” said Lou Irvin, mayor of Daingerfield. “My family has been involved in this area for a long time; I spent many a day out on this park’s lake. And I hope my grandchildren can enjoy this park too. We are so excited it’s open once again.”

The day’s celebration activities included a ribbon cutting ceremony, guided canoe tours of Lake Daingerfield, a geocache tour and nature hike, a children’s bouncy place inflatable slide, Operation Game Thief Wall of Shame trailer, the Latino Legacy trailer from Stephen F. Austin State University, live music and a food vendor.

“Growing up around here, sometimes we don’t always appreciate what we have,” said Texas State Representative Bryan Hughes. “I’m so glad that this park is still here, now, stronger than ever. I know a lot of people have worked hard to get us here. Our part of East Texas is better off because this park is here and back online.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife invested more than $5 million in capital improvements to add full hookup campgrounds with water, electricity and sewer connections; three new restroom complexes; renovations to the CCC-built Bass Lodge and dining hall; a new wastewater treatment plant; state park store and more. Money for the repairs and improvements was appropriated from budgets of previous bienniums.

“This park represents a lot to our community and region of Texas, and we are so glad to have it up and running again, serving the thousands of visitors who come here each year,” said Daingerfield State Park superintendent John Thomas. “It really is a complete destination for outdoor recreation; it’s got beautiful scenery, a lake with good fishing, camping, cabins and group facilities. And today’s grand reopening event was a fitting tribute to a fantastic and historic park.”

For more information, contact Daingerfield State Park at (903) 645-2921, or visit the Web site at http://www.texasstateparks.org/. To book state park reservations in advance of your trip, contact the customer service center at (512) 389-8900.