Texas, with 89 state parks covering more than 600,000 acres, has reached a major milestone of 100 years. Since 1923, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been working to protect and preserve our natural resources while providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and education. A year-long celebration with special events and activities at parks will commemorate the past and look to the future of the park system.

As part of the 100th anniversary celebration, TPWD has launched a special website (tpwd.texas.gov) where visitors can learn more about the history of Texas state parks, find events and activities, and share their own park experiences. The department has also created a commemorative poster featuring artwork by Texas artist Kylee Dawn, which will be available for purchase at park gift shops and online.

In addition to the anniversary celebration, TPWD has several ongoing initiatives aimed at improving and expanding the park system, including the Legacy Plan, a comprehensive strategy for managing and enhancing state parks over the next 25 years, and the Texas Children in Nature program, which encourages kids to explore and learn about the natural world.

The statewide park system features iconic landscapes such as Palo Duro Canyon and Big Bend Ranch State Park, historic sites like battleship TEXAS, as well as beach access points that have supported generations of families with activities such as swimming, camping and hiking. In addition to healthy outdoor recreation options, all parks provide unique educational experiences such as ranger-led programs and interpretive displays available onsite or virtually through mobile applications or social media outlets.

The century-long commitment to land stewardship has served not only diversified wildlife habitats, but provided economic benefits to local communities by supporting thousands of jobs across the tourism sector from park operations staffs to concessionaires offering lodging accommodations and food services.

To find out about Centennial Celebration activities visit TPWD.texas.gov/State-parks/100years.