Yes, we have mountains —learn more Wednesday night

Texas may not have $30 million to finish Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, but at least state officials are starting the work.

A public meeting Wednesday night in Fort Worth will present plans for the park and take public comment about what Dallas-Fort Worth park patrons would like to see.

Few city residents have ever even heard of the Palo Pinto Mountains, topped by 1,447-foot-high Raptor Ridge. The so-called “North Texas Hill Country” is 80 miles west, and the new park opens up 4,400 acres of former ranchland for public recreation.

Decisions remain about the number of cabins and RV sites in the park.

But the biggest decision remaining is whether or when the Texas Legislature will allot money for improvements, and local residents can influence that by speaking Wednesday and writing to lawmakers.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is what we have always wanted: a scenic vista within a short drive of Fort Worth. It was bought with money from the sale of land along Eagle Mountain Lake.

Let’s make the most of it.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Oak Hall at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.

This story was originally published August 9, 2016 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Yes, we have mountains —learn more Wednesday night."