By Joan Frances
“Our task must be to free ourselves…by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” – Albert Einstein
More than two hundred species of birds live in or migrate through Brazos Bend State Park.
When our founding fathers were granted land from Mexico in 1827, Abner Harris and partner William Barrett acquired a choice piece of real estate located on the Brazos River. This land, roughly 5,000 acres with 3.2 miles of water, was one of the principal routes of commerce and riverboat landings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the land was purchased by the Herman Hale family and was home to cattle grazing, pecan harvesting and a private hunting preserve. Then in 1976, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased the land, and eight years later opened Brazos Bend State Park.
George Observatory has a powerful thirty-six-inch wide telescope, the largest in the nation for public use.
Only about 28 miles southwest of Houston, this natural paradise combines history with the preservation of land and nature to entice any explorer. There is evidence of prehistoric settlers as early as 300 B.C. with fifteen registered landmarks on the park grounds. Ten sites date back to Indian Archaic and Neo American, and five relate to the early Anglo American Settlement. Cotton was grown on the land; a handmade brick cistern used by the slaves of the cotton growers stills stands on the property.
Visitors to Brazos Bend will find endless things to do. The park is home to over 300 species of birds, 21 species of reptiles and 23 species of mammals. The wetland area has a special draw for people to view the alligators living in the water. Fully paved nature trails allow safe passage through the grounds, accessible boardwalk and an observation deck for wildlife viewing. Forty acres are designated hike and bike trails that lead to Elm and Helm Lakes and interconnect. Twenty primitive equestrian campsites are located on a nine-mile trail system. Camping in the park is accommodating with 13 screened shelters equipped with electricity, water, picnic table and restrooms nearby. Other activities include fishing, horseback riding, biking, picnicking and bird watching.
A living memorial to the Challenger space shuttle astronauts who perished in 1986 is at the Fort Bend Challenger Learning Center.
In 1986, as a result of Haley’s comet and over 7,000 people coming to the park to view the phenomenon, a group of innovative people set out to create an observatory that housed telescopes for public viewing and star gazing. After several years of generous donations and contributors, three telescopes were installed, and the George Observatory was opened. The largest observatory in the nation for public use, a powerful 36 inch wide telescope allows visitors to view the vast solar system and absorb the beauty of constellations and planets.
Texas Parks and Wildlife offers patrons annual park passes that allow entry to all 90 state parks in Texas. Brazos Bend is not just a wildlife preserve but also an educational facility with a full schedule of events to inform and entertain all ages. Nature programs are scheduled every weekend. Live music performances are held at the outdoor Amphitheater. In October, the park hosts the Annual Butterfly Count and a Halloween Classic Movie night. November features Prairie Heritage Day on the Nature Center lawn. In December, visitors can experience A Simple Christmas and participate in the Christmas Bird Count. In the words of Albert Einstein, Brazos Bend State Park opens the door for everyone to “embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”