Cameron County Responds to Reports Regarding County Park

For 30 years Cameron County has operated and maintained the Adolph Thomae, Jr. County Park in Arroyo City. Over time, this location has grown into one of the most heavily used and popular parks for recreational purposes. Many families enjoy launching their boats out of this location and coming to the park with their families to fish and enjoy the facilities. In the last few years, Cameron County has moved forward to apply for and receive funding to improve the conditions and enhance the amenities at Adolph Thomae, Jr. Park. For the most part, the funding has come from state and local funding sources. Cameron County strives to maintain and keep all its parks including this one free of illicit and illegal activity and the county often coordinates with local law enforcement to assist in this effort. That is why the comments made from federal officials regarding the state of this park are surprising and concerning to county leaders. The county and the federal government also recently entered into a long term lease for the county to operate the park just as it has been doing for many years without any problems and the county is aware of the conditions set out in the new lease.

Cameron County has a responsibility to its residents and constituency. Our citizens expect nothing but the best when it comes to our County Park System. Our Park system is a well-oiled machine that provides top notch amenities to our park goers whether at the coast or at our community parks and more importantly for the kids coming to play at our baseball and soccer fields, basketball and volleyball courts, or to use our walking and running trails. The park in Arroyo City is no different. The campsites, the fishing piers, the trails are all features that we continue to improve for the public and more importantly for families and their young anglers. Arroyo City residents know that the county has a presence out there and they can call on us at any time to address any of their concerns. In the last few years County officials have met numerous times on a number of issues important to the community of Arroyo City.

Recently, the county announced the construction for the new boat launch facility at Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park. The new boat launch facility will feature two new additional boat ramps for boaters to launch and load their boats, courtesy docks, fish cleaning stations, and approximately 40 additional truck/trailer parking spaces to alleviate some of the overcrowding experienced on busy weekends. The parking lot will be constructed using a previous paving system that is environmentally friendly. The new boat launch facility is just one of a myriad of improvements Cameron County has currently undertaken at Adolph Thomae, Jr. County Park. The County’s goal has always been to improve public access and provide visitors with outdoor recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, picnicking, camping, and nature and wildlife observation.

“The Park is an economic lifeline for Arroyo City, as we all witnessed when the Government shut down as a result of the budget sequestration in 2013.”, said Commissioner David A. Garza.

“As an avid outdoorsman I am extremely proud of the countless improvements at this park. Contrary to the concerns raised in the media I have heard nothing but positive and great comments from the public regarding this county park,” said County Commissioner David A. Garza. “I am looking forward to the finished product and completion of this project the first quarter of 2017 so that we can keep Cameron County moving forward in a positive direction.” Funding for the construction improvements were made possible through a $500,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) grant, additional funding for planning, engineering and permitting through a $90,000 grant from the Cameron County Coastal Impact Assistant Program. Cameron County Parks Systems cost share of this project was approximately $183,270.00.

Cameron County has invested millions of dollars in improving the parks infrastructure and recreational components such as the implementation of a new toll collection system, the installation of a new playground equipment, the revamping of the fishing piers which are now ADA accessible, the restoration of approximately 2,000 l.f. of shoreline. All these improvements have substantially increased the Park’s level of accessibility. In addition, the Cameron County Commissioners Court recently approved adding park staff and a Park Host volunteer program to meet the growing demand of people to the park. “Cameron County Parks & Recreation Department goal is to continue making the necessary improvements to Adolph Thomae Park in order to make the park a safer place and most important improve the quality of life for the residents of Cameron County and other visitors”, said Joe E. Vega, Parks Director.