CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It has been almost two years since Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast, and Goose Island State Park still has not reopened some areas of their park.
One of the big reasons it has taken so long to rebuild has been due to the lack of funds.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says it will soon start working on the park thanks to a recent $1.8 million fund to help fix areas of the east end of the bayfront and their popular 1,600-foot pier.
“Right now we are shutting down the bidding section of the whole process, and soon they will award, and once they award, we will start work sometime soon, hopefully in the next couple of months,” said Goose Island State Park assistant superintendent T.J. Hinojosa.
On the upside, more than 60 percent of the state park, like the wooded camping area, is operational.
“We have a bayfront side open for day use, and currently they are closed for camping. We have the boat ramp open; Big Tree is also open so those who want to come out and view the century-old coastal oak, you can go out there and check out that area,” said Hinojosa.
After three years of waiting, the staff is excited that it will soon offer more opportunities to visitors to enjoy the historic park.
“We are at that point where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we know what is going to happen," Hinojosa said. "It is going to be hard work getting the park back open, making sure everything was the way it was before and better."
Hurricane Harvey damaged 14 different coastal state parks, which added up to $22 million in costs to repair.
Officials hope the work around Goose Island State Park will be completed by this time next year.
