Hurricane Rita swept through East Texas last weekend, devastating many communities. The damage remains and cleanup begins this week. Among the casualities were 20 Texas State Parks in the East Texas area.

While Texas State parks continue to provide free entry and campsites to hundreds of evacuees, 20 State Parks in East Texas are closed, some until 2006. For the latest information about state park temporary closures and state parks able to host hurricane evacuees, call TPWD Customer Service Center reservations line at (512) 389-8900.

These East Texas State Parks are closed due to Hurricane Rita and will reopen after clean up and repairs have been made. While most of the parks will be open by mid-October, some will not open until later or 2006. The dates given are approximate, please call to inquire before planning a trip.

Texas State Parks Temporarily Closed Due to Damage from Hurricane Rita

Brazos Bend SP. (979) 553-5101
September 21 – 29, 2005

Caddo Lake SP/WMA (903) 679-3351
September 23 – 30, 2005

Daingerfield SP (903) 645-2921
September 22 – 30, 2005

Fort Boggy SP (903) 344-1116
September 22 – 30, 2005

Galveston Island SP (409) 737-1222
September 21–29, 2005

Huntsville SP (936) 295-5644
September 22 – October 15, 2005

Lake Houston SP (281) 354-6881
September 22 – November 30, 2005

Lake Livingston SP (936) 365-2201
September 24 – October 15, 2005

Martin Creek Lake SP (903) 836-4336
September 23 – 30, 2005

Martin Dies, Jr. SP. (409) 384-5231
September 22, 2005 – February 28, 2006

Mission Tejas SP (936) 687-2394
September 23 – 29, 2005

Sabine Pass Battleground SP/HS (409) 971-2559
September 21 – February 28, 2006

Sea Center Texas (979) 292-0100
September 25–October 7, 2005

Sea Rim SP (409) 971-2559
September 21, 2005 – January 31, 2006

Sheldon Lake SP (281) 456-9350
September 21 – 30, 2005

Village Creek SP (409) 755-7322
September 22 – 30, 2005

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park was hit hard. The hurricane blew down dozens of trees, causing extensive damage to facilities and structures. Seven buildings had roof damage, with major roof damage to one cabin, one restroom, the park nature center and six screened shelter. The assistant manager’s residence was structurally damaged. Three screened shelters and two host camp sites were destroyed.

Sabine Pass Battleground SHS lost 16 new shade shelters and the park residence. The concrete bulkhead along the Sabine River/Ship Channel was completly undermined.

Sea Rim State Park near Port Arthur suffered damage to the park residences and wastewater plant. The maintenance area and boat barn were destroyed.

Lake Livingston State Park, like many other parks across forested East Texas, had many downed trees.

Sea Center Texas, a combination fish hatchery and visitor aquarium center, lost 97 percent of its red drum, spotted seatrout and flounder broodfish when backup power generators failed. The fish in the aquarium, however, somehow survived.

For the latest information about state park temporary closures and state parks able to host hurricane evacuees, call TPWD Customer Service Center reservations line at (512) 389-8900.

Last week, a House committee approved the “Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act.” This week the full House of Representatives will vote on the bill.

Sponsored by long-time opponent of species protection Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), the bill would eliminate habitat protections, making it easier for developers, oil and mining companies, and others to harm the special places that threatened and endangered fish and wildlife call home, including rivers like the Missouri, Columbia, Snake, Sacramento, and Colorado.

Learn more and take action now!

As we baby boomers age (creak), we fall prey to arthritis and other ailments. This is no reason to sell the RV and stay at home; especially once you read the tales of travelers with C4 quadriplegia or deafness who still enjoy travel. Most RV parks have at least one parking spot for travelers with wheelchairs and its seems like everyone has a scooter or a golf cart to get around the park.

Remember, you have rights. You have the right to ask for accommodations so that you may enjoy the trail ride or canoe trip. Of course, the best time to ask about handicapped facilities and accommodations is BEFORE you arrive. For this reason, your best friend when booking a trip may be your travel agent. If you book your own travel, please ask lots of questions. Better yet, send your questions in email so that you have your answers in writing.

Disabled Online has an entire page of travel links to websites for people with disabilities, ranging from home swapping with people with disabilities to travel to Egypt.

The Handicapped Travel Club has surveyed campgrounds for accessibility and have a classifieds section for previously modified RVs. There is good information for RV parks who wish to address accessibility issues in their park.

The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH) has a resources page that will help anyone with physical limitations travel in style.

There are national organizations working on passing and enforcing legislation for travellers with disabilities. However, YOU can make a difference. If you call a park to check on facilities for RVs with lifts–(wider by 20′ and paved with hookups on the level portion), pools with ramps, service animal facilities, accessible bathrooms, showers, offices and stores–YOU are making an impression. If the park owner says he does not have the facilities, you might want to direct him to resources for park owners.

Power to us old folks!!

Keep on rolling along,

Eileen