The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has bought a 650-acre waterfront ranch on Lake Palestine for more than $10 million. The purchase protects one of the largest remaining connected properties along the lake, with plans to turn it into a new state park. The property is in Henderson County, about 18 miles west of Tyler and 20 miles east of Athens. The Pollard family has owned the land since 1940. For decades, it was part of the family’s business, Texas Pecan Nursery. It also served as a private retreat where family members gathered, hunted and fished. According to The Texas Tribune, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation completed the purchase to hold the land temporarily until the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department formally buys it in late 2027.
Acquisition structure and conservation funding
The purchase follows a two-step process designed to make better use of public funds. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation will hold the 650-acre property until the state agency takes ownership. This allows the state to earn more interest on the voter-approved Centennial Parks Conservation Fund before using the money to complete the purchase. Texas voters approved the $1 billion conservation fund in 2023. The money is intended to help buy land for new state parks and pay for their development across Texas. Anne Brown, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, explained why acting quickly was important when large properties become available. “Opportunities to protect a property like this don’t come along very often, and when they do, timing is critical,” Brown said in statements quoted by The Texas Tribune. “TPWF was able to step in and secure this land now so it can ultimately become a place where generations of Texans can enjoy the outdoors.” Brown also said during a panel at the Texas Tribune Festival that partnerships with charitable organisations give the state more flexibility to secure land that could otherwise be bought by private developers for commercial use.
Natural features and wildlife habitat
The Lake Palestine property has a range of natural features, including pine forests, native grasses, a working pecan orchard, a lake that reaches 58 feet deep and about 10 smaller ponds. The estate has roughly 2,000 feet of direct shoreline along Lake Palestine. It also provides a natural home for white-tailed deer, bobcats and native waterfowl. Real estate firm TexasLand handled the sale and represented the Pollard family. The process included nearly a year of site visits, environmental checks and inspections by state officials. Josh Smith, co-founder of TexasLand, recalled his first visit to the property. “The first time that I went out there, I thought, this place looks like a state park,” Smith told The Texas Tribune. “It just had that look.” Smith said officials from the state parks department inspected every part of the property during the year-long contract period before completing the purchase agreement.
Family legacy and future public access
For the Pollard family, selling the land to a conservation foundation means the property can remain undeveloped and eventually be opened to the public. “This land is part of my soul,” said Sam Pollard, president of Texas Pecan Nursery, in comments reported by The Texas Tribune. “It means a lot to me that we can leave a legacy for people to enjoy.” Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, welcomed the property as a new addition to the state park system. “We are excited to add this East Texas gem to the Texas State Park system,” Franklin said in a statement released by the agency. “Families will be able to enjoy lake recreation on Lake Palestine, along with the pecan trees that are a signature of the property. We are grateful to our partners, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and to owner Sam Pollard and his family who have generously allowed this special slice of the Pineywoods to be accessible for generations of Texans.” The foundation now owns the property, but public access will be introduced in stages. After the state is expected to complete its purchase in late 2027, officials plan to begin with guided tours. They then plan to build permanent campsites, hiking trails, launch areas for paddling and facilities for day visitors. The agency also plans to restore natural habitats and hold public meetings to gather feedback before finalising the park’s master plan.
