I recently visited Abilene State Park. I’m quite
familiar with this park but will first tell you some historical facts about it.
Abilene Park was one of more than 50 public parks in Texas
that benefited from the labor of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The Corp
was created by Congress to provide jobs for unemployed WWI vets. The city of
Abilene donated land for the park in 1933 and the CCC constructed the
pavilion, roads, picnic tables and a swimming pool of native sandstone in
this new park. The workers were from CCC company 1823 and were all WWI
vets.
In 1935, a CCC group of African Americans from the same
company came back to the park. This time, they built culverts, restrooms, and a
water tower as well as fixing areas in need of repair.
Stonework they constructed is still standing and can be seen
around the park now.
The pavilion (a large building built by the CCC near the pool).
As usual, I picked up trash around the park. I found more trash than at the two previous parks. The majority of it was found around a muddy area (Buffalo Wallow) that was underwater until about two years ago. The long-time drought in Abilene caused Buffalo Wallow to change from a fishing hole to an area of more mud than water. I sadly recalled seeing people fishing in this area years ago but old-timers say that it dried out and filled up again in the past.
I found more plastic than anything else at this park.
Turning to more recent news: the swimming pool, which
was closed last year due to maintenance needed, has been repaired. The park
staff are hoping these repairs keep the pool operating for years. It’s
a real attraction in the hot summer months.
I was lucky to be at the park when they
had one of their Dancing Under the Stars evenings. A band played and the outdoor dance floor was full when a Texas-Two-Step
was the band’s choice. We are in Texas! There should be a dance a month during
the nice weather coming up. Check the schedule on the park website (or stop and
ask); there’s a lot on the schedule. Just look up the park you want to
visit (tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks) and you’ll find out what’s going on when
you plan to be there.
Top: the repaired pool weeks before reopening.
Lower: The beginning of the dance.
