EL PASO — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Franklin Mountains State Park has grown a leg, gaining 1,054 acres to the east through a new land acquisition.
“I am excited about this acquisition,” said superintendent Cesar Mendez, “which extends the buffer zone all the way to Martin Luther King Boulevard, adding some lower elevation and flatter land to Franklin Mountains State Park and securing access points (trailheads).”
This acquisition provides access to the northeastern portion of the park, including existing trailhead access to world-class mountain bike trails, while also curbing urbanization encroachment by providing a buffer. The views of the mountains will not be obstructed by urban development from the northeast thanks to this acquisition.
In addition, the property helps safeguard the main mountain area of desert bighorn sheep habitat.
Franklin Mountains State Park, just 15 minutes from El Paso, is a high-desert mountain park in the northern Chihuahuan desert, offering great hiking, biking and rock-climbing opportunities for visitors. As one of the largest urban wilderness parks in the world, there are now about 28,000 acres – or 43 square miles – to explore, including more than 120 miles of trail. The Franklins are an incredible site for birders, cacti enthusiasts and those with a keen eye to spot the reptiles and small mammals that call the range home.
When notified of available properties, TPWD conducts a due diligence review to determine the property’s feasibility as public land. Now that the sale is complete, agency teams will work together to conduct natural and cultural resource surveys to help guide park planners with management plans and future visitor interpretive exhibits.
TPWD park planners and resource specialists will develop a public use plan to determine the most appropriate use of the new property. This plan may take months to complete, but TPWD will communicate upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date.
More information can be found on the TPWD website or at TexasStateParks.org .
Article source and photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife
