San Jacinto State Park Phase II: Public Boardwalk, Outreach & Education
The San Jacinto Battleground State
Historical Park is the site of the 1836 battle where Texas won her
independence
from Mexico, and is the oldest, most visited park in Texas. Along with the
battleground proper, the one thousand acres of the park preserves the last
significant natural tidal marsh in the lower San Jacinto River drainage. In the
last half century, subsidence and erosion almost destroyed 200 acres of marsh.
Recently, a restoration plan has been implemented to restore the marsh. The
areas of restored marsh are used by a variety of wildlife, which include: river
otter, roseate spoonbill, woodstork, and waterfowl. Visitors now can engage in
an educational experience as they venture along a 1,500 foot trail through these
vital habitats. A recently constructed 900 foot all-weather trail through
coastal tallgrass prairie, and approximately 600 feet of boardwalk trail, allows
visitors access through an array of vegetative communities. The the second Phase
of the Boardwalk project which will connect the new facilities with the
bottomland forest . Decks in the marsh and forest will provide vantage points
for wildlife watching, as well as student and adult programs. The trail will
include kiosk exhibits and in-situ displays. Elements of the project also
include a program for teacher training in natural
history, the identification of
plants and animals, and ecological principals. The project will increase
understanding of the importance of our coastal resources and will spark support
for future restoration and conservation efforts.
Partners: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Galveston Bay Estuary Program, Local Corporate Sponsors, Telephone Pioneers, Environmental Institute of Houston/University of Houston-Clear Lake, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Texas Coastal Program
