Texas. State Parks Board

The Texas State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state, to report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six-year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It later directed and managed state parks, except the historical parks that were managed by the Texas State Board of Control or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties.

The primary function of the board between 1923 and 1933 was to acquire lands for parks through donations. In 1933 the board received federal aid through several New Deal programs, making possible the development of 31 state parks by 1941. Most of this work was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in conjunction with the National Park Service (largely through its Emergency Conservation Work program); additional work was done by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) and National Youth Administration. The CCC work in Texas began in June 1933 and ended in 1941. The CCC developed 56 parks in Texas. Most are still public parks including 31 parks in the state park system.

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