Park officials are getting ready for what they hope will be a better summer than last year.
"When you have a drought you know the lake levels go low people don't do as much fishing, there's burn bans in effect and people just don't like to go camping if they can't have a campfire. So things add up and really affect park visitation," Said Rick Thompson, Superintendent of Abilene's State Park.
Remnants of one of the worst droughts in Texas history still scatter the park, a reminder of the four point six budget gap facing the system. But, things look do look greener on the other side.
"If you look around things are so nice and pretty right now and people are starting to get out and enjoy it. Enjoy that iconic camping experience," Thompson said.
There are also plans to bring monthly entertainment to the park, something that-sixty years ago- saw great success.
"Back in the fifties the park was a popular destination for dances, so that's something that we want to revive," Thompson said.
They plan to have live bands the last Saturday of every month beginning in May.
It's just one of many ideas to bring people back. And they're hoping this summer, mother nature agrees.
"When you have a drought you know the lake levels go low people don't do as much fishing, there's burn bans in effect and people just don't like to go camping if they can't have a campfire. So things add up and really affect park visitation," Said Rick Thompson, Superintendent of Abilene's State Park.
Remnants of one of the worst droughts in Texas history still scatter the park, a reminder of the four point six budget gap facing the system. But, things look do look greener on the other side.
"If you look around things are so nice and pretty right now and people are starting to get out and enjoy it. Enjoy that iconic camping experience," Thompson said.
There are also plans to bring monthly entertainment to the park, something that-sixty years ago- saw great success.
"Back in the fifties the park was a popular destination for dances, so that's something that we want to revive," Thompson said.
They plan to have live bands the last Saturday of every month beginning in May.
It's just one of many ideas to bring people back. And they're hoping this summer, mother nature agrees.
