Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway Assistant Superintendent David Owens, left, returned to Rotary Club of Mineral Wells on Wednesday to talk about the park's many offerings and programs. He is pictured with club President David Cairone.
The park includes a 640-acre lake and almost 13 miles of hiking/biking/horseback trails. You can bring your own boat or rent one (flat-bottom boats with trolling motors, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and rowboats). No skiing, tubing or jet skis. Call 940-325-3630 for information.
One can rock climb, or explore some of the caves down in Penitentiary Hollow.
You can fish, boat, canoe, kayak or swim. There are campgrounds – some with screened shelters, some primitive and some with RV connections. Fishing in Texas state parks does not require a license.
There are a number of educational and entertainment programs offered year round, most of them led by Owens. You can see a schedule of events at http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-mineral-wells or find and like Lake Mineral Wells State Park on Facebook to keep up with events.
For instance, this weekend there is a spider walk and a star gazing event. Owens puts events to help kids learn about and be safe in the outdoors, and programs that have fun identifying birds and animals of the state park along with campfires that include cowboy stories and poetry at the Lone Star Amphitheater.
Another feature is the 22-mile-long Rails-To-Trails hiking and horseback trail from Mineral Wells to Weatherford, using the former railroad corridor which is now being preserved and utilized.
Owens told Rotarians of something new – though still pending final approval. The park is looking to partner with Texas Educational Service Center Region 11 to become an outdoor learning center, providing educational information direct from the state park to students and classrooms across Texas and the U.S.
There is always something to do at Lake Mineral Wells State Park, one of the jewels and assets of the Mineral Wells area.
Rotary Club of Mineral Wells meets every Wednesday at noon at Holiday Hills Country Club for lunch, networking, updates on club projects and a program of interest. Come join us.