650 Acres Secured for Future State Park on Lake Palestine

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has secured 650 acres on Lake Palestine in Henderson County for a future East Texas state park.

The property was acquired Oct. 1 for more than $10 million and is one of the largest remaining blocks of land with frontage on the lake. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department identified it as a potential state park site in 2025.

TPWF will hold the property until TPWD can purchase it in late 2027 using funding from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. In the meantime, TPWF plans to make additional investments in the property.

Where Is Lake Palestine?

The land is about 18 miles west of Tyler and 20 miles east of Athens. The Pollard family has owned it since 1940, when it became part of the family’s Texas Pecan Nursery operation.

The property includes pine forests, ponds, pecan orchards, and Lake Palestine shoreline. It also provides habitat for deer, bobcats, waterfowl and other wildlife.

For the Pollard family, the sale means the land will remain largely undeveloped and eventually become available for public recreation.

“This land is part of my soul,” said Sam Pollard, president of Texas Pecan Nursery. “It means a lot to me that we can leave a legacy for people to enjoy.”

Future plans call for hiking and biking trails, campsites, day-use areas, and lakefront access. The park is expected to open in phases, beginning with guided access, followed by day use and eventually overnight camping.

Lake Palestine is popular for boating, fishing, paddling, and swimming, and the future park will also offer wildlife viewing and birdwatching opportunities.

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TPWD says habitat restoration will be part of preparing the property for its future as a state park. Public input will be sought after TPWD officially acquires the land.

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