Eagle Mountain Lake

In 1980, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased 400 acres of rolling, oak-dotted prairie on Eagle Mountain Lake, near Fort Worth, for a planned state park. The land features a sandy lakeshore and habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, and migratory birds. But years of tightened budgets left plans for the park in limbo. Recently, after the state decided that the property was too small for a major state park, conservationists and residents became concerned that it would be sold and developed. Instead, we raised funds from the Tarrant Regional Water District, Tarrant County, TXU, the AT&T Foundation, the City of Fort Worth, the Bass and Amon G. Carter foundations, Chesapeake Energy, and other private donors to purchase the land for a regional park and natural area in 2008. The park, which will be owned and operated by the water district, will offer picnicking, hiking, birding, and canoeing.