history of the cradle of texas conservancy
Beginning in May-1980, a large group of 75-100 people from all over Brazoria County met to consider the creation of county parks, which to that point had not existed. During this effort, the need for a 501(c)3 organization was realized, so one was created and incorporated by Andrew Sansom and others under the name of "The Cradle of Texas Conservancy, Inc.", achieving 501(c)3 status in 1985. In addition, a parks department was created as an official section of Brazoria County, with Kim McAdams as its first director and Darrell Schwebel as Land Acquisition Director. After its founding, the Conservancy had twenty-one volunteers on its board of directors, and worked closely with the new department to create the first county park, Quintana Beach County Park. Soon, it was joined by Brazos River, Hanson Riverside and Albert Finkle Memorial Parks. In essence, the CTC began as a "friends group" for the county parks department. As the Brazoria County Parks Department grew and managed its own business, the CTC continued to function, but found that a smaller number of directors was more effective, so the By-Laws were changed. And, its involvement extended to new and different partners and projects. Currently, its Board of Directors consists of nine concerned volunteers who serve three-year terms. Every year one-third of the board is re-appointed. This action helps in generating new ideas, growth and public awareness of the Conservancy’s existence.
The Board holds quarterly meetings to discuss issues such as long-term projects, land and/or money donations, and to address requests for assistance.
Though not very active or publicized, the Cradle of Texas Conservancy has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of recreational areas within Brazoria County. The following is a list indicating projects the Conservancy has addressed since its establishment (underlined names are live links):
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Quintana Beach County Park Phase 1 & 2
Albert Finkle Memorial County Park
Hanson Riverside County Park
Brazos River County Park and 2016 Expansion project
Resoft County Park
Brazos River and Hwy-36 Boat Ramp (Sonny Travis Boat Ramp) - Freeport
Swan Lake Boat Ramp
Chocolate Bayou Boat Ramp (across Hwy-35 from Camp Mohawk County Park)
City of Surfside- Stahlman Park
City of Freeport Parks Expansion
City of Angleton Parks Development/Expansion
Angleton Soccer Complex Grant
Masterson Park Acquisition and Development
Bates Park Expansion and Development
Bates M. Allen "Blue Hole" County Park (Joint development effort with Fort Bend County)
USFWS Brazoria NWR RV dumping station project
USFWS Hudson Woods Wetland project
Brazoria Heritage Foundation – Saving the Historic 1933 elementary school
Freeport LNG Wetland mitigation project - mitigation land
Seahorse Estates mitigation project - Surfside Beach
Collected funds for Robert R. Dixon Memorial Park – West Columbia
Funded playground improvements – Bates Park, Angleton, Texas
Sponsored Environmental/Wildlife Room at Brazoria Civic Center
Sponsored Monuments and native plantings at Capitol of Texas Park in West Columbia
Supported Stephen F. Austin Statue project
Funded last installment for Gulf Coast Bird Observatory's new staff & visitor center
Supported with funds the 2018 addition to TNC Brazos Woods Preserve
Active/Current/Future Projects
Fort Velasco - Archaeological surveys using remote-sensing techniques
Fort Velasco - replica construction
Angleton (Flo Hannah) Prairie project
Follett’s Island land acquisition project
Columbia Bottomlands expansion project - McNeil-Peach Creek unit
Affiliated or Partner Organizations:
(underlined names are live links)
Brazoria County Parks Department
Texas Land Trust Council
Lone Star Coastal Alliance
The Nature Conservancy (Texas)
Texas Conservation Partners
Texas Historical Foundation
Brazoria Heritage Foundation
Texas Master Naturalists - Cradle of Texas chapter
Texas Old Missions and Fort Restoration Association
The Board holds quarterly meetings to discuss issues such as long-term projects, land and/or money donations, and to address requests for assistance.
Though not very active or publicized, the Cradle of Texas Conservancy has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of recreational areas within Brazoria County. The following is a list indicating projects the Conservancy has addressed since its establishment (underlined names are live links):
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Quintana Beach County Park Phase 1 & 2
Albert Finkle Memorial County Park
Hanson Riverside County Park
Brazos River County Park and 2016 Expansion project
Resoft County Park
Brazos River and Hwy-36 Boat Ramp (Sonny Travis Boat Ramp) - Freeport
Swan Lake Boat Ramp
Chocolate Bayou Boat Ramp (across Hwy-35 from Camp Mohawk County Park)
City of Surfside- Stahlman Park
City of Freeport Parks Expansion
City of Angleton Parks Development/Expansion
Angleton Soccer Complex Grant
Masterson Park Acquisition and Development
Bates Park Expansion and Development
Bates M. Allen "Blue Hole" County Park (Joint development effort with Fort Bend County)
USFWS Brazoria NWR RV dumping station project
USFWS Hudson Woods Wetland project
Brazoria Heritage Foundation – Saving the Historic 1933 elementary school
Freeport LNG Wetland mitigation project - mitigation land
Seahorse Estates mitigation project - Surfside Beach
Collected funds for Robert R. Dixon Memorial Park – West Columbia
Funded playground improvements – Bates Park, Angleton, Texas
Sponsored Environmental/Wildlife Room at Brazoria Civic Center
Sponsored Monuments and native plantings at Capitol of Texas Park in West Columbia
Supported Stephen F. Austin Statue project
Funded last installment for Gulf Coast Bird Observatory's new staff & visitor center
Supported with funds the 2018 addition to TNC Brazos Woods Preserve
Active/Current/Future Projects
Fort Velasco - Archaeological surveys using remote-sensing techniques
Fort Velasco - replica construction
Angleton (Flo Hannah) Prairie project
Follett’s Island land acquisition project
Columbia Bottomlands expansion project - McNeil-Peach Creek unit
Affiliated or Partner Organizations:
(underlined names are live links)
Brazoria County Parks Department
Texas Land Trust Council
Lone Star Coastal Alliance
The Nature Conservancy (Texas)
Texas Conservation Partners
Texas Historical Foundation
Brazoria Heritage Foundation
Texas Master Naturalists - Cradle of Texas chapter
Texas Old Missions and Fort Restoration Association
Past ProjectsSince 1982, the CTC has participated in many successful projects, usually partnering with other groups, so please review our linked projects above. |
Current or Future projectsThe CTC has some major new projects in store, such as a replica of the 1832 Fort Velasco, and also working with Texas Conservation Partners on new wildlife areas. |
Cradle of Texas Conservancy
P. O. Box 353
West Columbia, Texas 77486
P. O. Box 353
West Columbia, Texas 77486