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Texas
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Texas State Parks

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USA Parks
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Prairies & Lakes Region
Fort Parker State Park
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Fort Parker State Park © Mildred Tee Hempel
When I find out what type of bird this is I will add it on here.
Fort Parker State Park © Mildred Tee Hempel
Red Flowers
Fort Parker State Park © Mildred Tee Hempel
Old tree in the water at Fort Parker
Fort Parker State Park © Mildred Tee Hempel
Fort Parker State Park © Mildred Tee Hempel
Frog
Fort Parker State Park © Mildred Tee Hempel
Fort Parker State Park Dragonfly © Mildred Tee Hempel
Fort Parker State Park Sunset © Mildred Tee Hempel
The sky around the sun look like a tornado forming it was so amazing to see.
Fort Parker State Park © Mildred Tee Hempel
Fort Parker State Park Blue dragonfly © Mildred Tee Hempel
One of many Dragonflies I seen at the park.
Fort Parker State Park Bird © Mildred Tee Hempel
A bird not sure what kind... The password for my web site is john316
Fort Parker State Park Beaver © Mildred Tee Hempel
I took this picture of a beaver at sunset at Fort Parker State Park.
Fort Parker State Park Amazing © Mildred Tee Hempel
Sunset over Fort Parker Lake
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FORT PARKER STATE PARK
FORT PARKER STATE PARK
194 Park Road 28
Mexia, Texas   76667
(lat:31.5885 lon:-96.5269) map location

Phone: 254-562-5751
Fort Parker State Park includes 1458.8 acres (758.8 land acres and a 700-acre lake); between Mexia and Groesbeck, in Limestone County. It was opened to the public in 1941.

Fort Parker State Park was created in 1935 on land donated by the City of Mexia and three local landowners. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed all the recreational facilities in the late 1930s, and built a dam across the Navasota River in 1939, creating Fort Parker Lake.

The park was named for Fort Parker, a nearby historic settlement established in 1833, and the site of the well-known Comanche Indian raid in May 1836, during which Cynthia Ann Parker was captured. During captivity, Cynthia Ann became the mother of the last great Comanche chief, Quanah Parker. The old fort was reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a 1936 centennial project. See Old Fort Parker.

The parklands encompass the historic town of Springfield. Springfield was established in 1838, and when Limestone County was created in 1847, the community became the first county seat. Springfield began to die in the early 1870s, after the railroad by-passed the town and the courthouse burned. The county seat was moved to Groesbeck in 1873, the post office closed in 1878, and Springfield soon became a ghost town. Only the cemetery remains, the last resting place of many East Texas pioneers, including an American Revolutionary War veteran and two veterans of the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution.
Nature of the Area
Frequently seen in the park are bluebird, duck, heron, migratory waterfowl, coyote, raccoon, squirrel, and bobcat. Popular fish include crappie, bass, catfish, and trout in season.
Boating
The canoe trip from the Confederate Reunion Grounds to Fort Parker is a 3 mile trip on the Navasota River. Fort Parker State Park offers shuttle service for the canoes when prearranged. Canoes will be shuttled on Saturdays and Sundays only at 10:00 a.m., March through November. Canoe rental for the trip is a 4 hour minimum rental. Occupants will need to supply their own transportation to and from the Confederate Reunion Grounds and Fort Parker State Park. Park staff can only transport the canoes. It is approximately 5 miles to the Confederate Reunion Grounds from Fort Parker. Canoes can be reserved for this trip by calling 254-562-5751.


Location
Fort Parker State Park is located near Mexia

Area Attractions
Nearby points of interest include Old Fort Parker, a replica of a fort erected in 1833 by Elder John Parker and other settlers from Illinois for protection from Indians; Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site; and Fairfield Lake State Park.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 5 Fantastic time, everything for family by D.Goodson
park review stars; one to five I abs loved our trip recently to Fort Parker and my family, all had fun and we each had things to do ,that we all enjoyed from canoe ride to nature trail. Fishing and the kids seeing the animals and the cookouts,, was great,then seeing the old conf reunion ground was a real education for all of us, as a teacher I def. want to plan a trip soon to let students experience some of the neat history .An absolute place to go anytime of the year, as we have gone to the fort even at Christmas time, and we drive two and a half hours and we still go back a weekend or a week,,great place, perfect price for the family!
April 7 nice people by David Franey Sr.
park review stars; one to five I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE PARK AND THE PARK EMPLOYEES.I AM AN OLDER PERSON AND THEY WERE VERY KIND TO ME AND MY CARE TAKER.WE HAD SPOT #20 AND IT WAS A GREAT SPOT FOR OUR R.V.we will be going there again.
January 17 Stark Family Reunion by starksunite
park review stars; one to five Our Family Reunion is held there every year and we ALL have a great time! Cannot wait for this year!
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Directions
The park is located, 7 miles south of Mexia or 6 miles north of Groesbeck on State Highway 14; entrance is on Park Road 28.

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Texas
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Texas State Parks

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