Spur, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife will incorporate homeowners’ concerns into plans for an all-terrain vehicle park at White River Lake, representatives of the agency told those future neighbors.
“We’re here to listen. We’re here to try to be an ear for all sides of this story and hopefully offer some suggestions,” said Tim Hogsett, the agency’s director of recreation grants, during a meeting Monday night.
Homeowners are split on the park.
“I don’t want the noise, pollution, dust and fire hazards,” park opponent Tom Moreland said.
But Larry Burton, another local resident, supports the ATV park. He and his wife view it as a way to attract tourist dollars, besides being just plain fun.
“We have a lot invested in it,” he said. “We’re very much for it. I think my house will become more valuable with the ATV park.”
A show of hands among homeowners revealed about two-thirds oppose the park. Some listed economic worries.
“My thought is you could take that $170,000 and place it somewhere else. I’m opposed to it,” Robert Glass said.
The park is funded through a $141,200 grant from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. Twenty percent of the cost is White River’s, while the state may reimburse the rest.
The White River Municipal Water District will be responsible for returning the grant money to the state if the park closes within 20 years.
While funneled through the state, the original source of the funds is a federal grant that comes from an off-highway vehicle fuel tax, Hogsett said. Folks who suggest that money would be better spent on, say, hurricane victims are missing the point, he said—it’s already been set aside for ATV parks.
“This is money that can’t be used for any other project—it’s earmarked for this specific purpose,” he said.
Trey Cooksey, state trails coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife, described the fund as a tax rebate of sorts for ATV riders.
ATV park fees can range from $5 to $25 for a daily pass and upward of $1,000 for an annual family membership, said Stephen Thompson, a manager in parks and wildlife’s recreational trails program. Law enforcement, maintenance and other operating costs also vary.
Homeowner Richard Foster questioned overall net revenue generated from similar parks, then expressed skepticism it would offset operating costs.
“If you look at it from a math standpoint, it’s not going to be a moneymaker for White River Lake,” he said.
Tony Eeds, an economic development specialist and a spokesman for the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition, said the Escondido Draw ATV park near Ozona typically nets about $30,000 to $50,000 per year.
But like all state parks, its main focus is recreation, he added.
“We’re not in it to make a profit,” he said.
David Tate, who organized a petition against the park, said that statement conflicts with claims by White River’s general manager.
According to A-J Media’s archives, Tom Fulton said in March, “We’re looking at this as a way to keep our water rates down.”
The White River Municipal Water District serves member cities Post, Ralls, Crosbyton and Spur. With lake levels dwindling in the drought, Fulton has had to pursue new infrastructure such as wells.
Dickens County Commissioner Charlie Morris said he sees no reason not to be optimistic about the park’s financial potential but would be less supportive if he lived next to it.
“We hope this park will go in,” he said. “We hope it will stimulate economic growth. If this park is run properly and with good policing, I think it will be a success.”
Homeowners David Tate and Larry Winkler said they’re frustrated their opposition to the park has not carried more weight.
“Tom has tried to keep it quiet. He had this thing done before anybody ever knew about it,” Winkler said. “(Opponents) have been told that whatever they think don’t matter.”
He suggested the Austin-based parks and wildlife representatives reconsider the ATV park.
“I just hope y’all take your toys and go home,” he said.
josephine.musico@lubbockonline.co
