A 650-acre ranch on the shores of Lake Palestine in East Texas, owned by the same family since 1940 and long associated with a pecan-growing business, is set to become Texas’ next state park after the property was acquired for more than $10 million. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation closed the purchase on October 1, 2026, securing one of the largest remaining contiguous tracts of land along the lake, reported The Texas Tribune and The Dallas Morning News.
The site also contains a 58-foot-deep lake and approximately 10 ponds, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Construction of the original dam began in 1960 and was completed in 1962, while a later enlargement was completed in 1971. The reservoir covers more than 23,000 acres at conservation-pool level, according to the agency’s data. The foundation ultimately closed the deal for more than $10 million, according to its October 2 announcement. The NextEra Energy Foundation contributed $100,000 to the project, while the foundation also used its donor-supported Land Conservation Loan Fund to help move quickly on the acquisition.
“This land is part of my soul,” Pollard said, adding that it meant a great deal to him that the property could become a legacy for others to enjoy. The Texas Water Development Board says the lake was created by the Blackburn Crossing Dam on the Neches River. Potential future activities include hiking, biking, boating, paddling, swimming and fishing, along with day-use areas, camping and lakefront recreation, according to TPWD and the foundation. Anne Brown, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, said opportunities to protect properties of this scale and location are uncommon and that timing was important in securing the ranch. “We are excited to add this East Texas gem to the Texas State Park system,” Franklin said, noting that families would eventually be able to enjoy Lake Palestine along with the pecan trees that are a signature feature of the property. Josh Smith, a co-founder of TexasLand, the brokerage that represented the Pollard family, recalled his first visit to the ranch and said, “This place looks like a state park. He said TPWD officials subsequently carried out extensive site visits and evaluations involving agency leaders, park planners and wildlife biologists.
Now, the family property is headed for a very different future. Sam Pollard, president of Texas Pecan Nursery, described the land as deeply personal to his family. The property provides habitat for white-tailed deer, bobcats, waterfowl and other birds and wildlife, giving the proposed park both recreational and conservation value. Lake Palestine itself is a major recreational reservoir in East Texas. The new park would add a significant publicly accessible tract to that landscape. Planned amenities include hike-and-bike trails, traditional and primitive campsites and areas for visitors to spend time along the lake. She described the acquisition as an example of how a public-private partnership can help conserve land for future generations. Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks, also highlighted the property’s combination of lake access and its existing pecan trees. The property remained under contract for nearly a year while those studies were completed.
The property’s potential was apparently visible even before the purchase was completed.