What damage did the battleground park and associated facilities and markers suffer during the recent storms?
[DW] Sabine Pass was still recovering from Hurricane Rita Damage when Hurricane Ike hit on September 13, 2008.� When the THC took over the park on January 1, 2008, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) agreed to complete recovery work at the site. Before Ike, TPWD had replaced picnic shelters, removed the destroyed residential trailer and were in the process of replacing the damaged restroom structure. THC had installed bollards along the park drive to keep vehicles on the roads, done major brush removal, worked with the County to have the boat launch dredged and complete general clean up of debris the park. In addition we purchased equipment for the site so that the staff could be more efficient in completing ongoing maintenance and needed repairs.
Fortunately, with Hurricane Ike predicted, our outstanding staff, Efrem Hill, was able to get the maintenance equipment, truck and other portable material out of the site before the storm hit. Unfortunately, Ike dropped about 8 feet of water on the site, knocking down the 8 historical markers, removing interpretive panels from the pavilion, the new roadway bollards and picnic shelters and depositing major debris on the site and in the boat launch basin, and flooding the maintenance facility.
� What is the status of repairs or anticipated repairs� to the park's markers and facilities?
Our site staff has been busy over the past 6 months cleaning up the site, replacing displaced fencing and bollards, removing brush and trash, and keeping the site well tended.
Electricity is being reconnected to the site this month. TPWD contractors started installing new restrooms in early March and repairing the bulkhead and walkway by the water. We expect that work to be completed by the end of April.�
When do you think the park will be reopened and what are your plans for any reopening ceremonies?
We plan to reopen the park as soon as the restroom and other construction is completed, in early May.� In addition, we are planning a Civil War Trust Park Day event where volunteers will help us with needed repair projects at the site on April 18.�
On January 1, 2008, operational control of� the park� was transferred from TPWD to the THC. How has this changed the mission and operation of the park? What are THC's long term goals and plans for the park?
THC’s mission focuses on the historic significance of the site – preserving the historic resource and sharing that story with our visitors.� We are just completing an Interpretive Plan that will guide us in making decisions about and what we can do to communicate the story most effectively and what are the most appropriate locations for visitor information.� We expect this will go beyond what has been placed in the park to date, and may replace or move some of the markers with interpretive panels that can tell more of the story and connect with visitors.� We hope the site will become one of Texas’s premiere Civil War sites and will play a role in bringing tourists to the area. However, the site is a lovely place to experience the natural resources of the area as well and we will be continuing to make the park available for passive recreation.