From Board President, Robert C. Deming:

Dear Friend,

“What a long, strange trip it’s been . . . “ The Grateful Dead

When we started planning in March for our annual FOER spring picnic in April who could have predicted the events to come? Our whole world has been turned upside down with the COVID 19 pandemic, but the true test of an organization is how you rise and adapt to rapid change. The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area staff are to be commended for the adaptations they have made to continue safe access to the park.

The silver lining is Texans appreciate their state parks more than ever! Reservations for day use are selling out well in advance. The reservation system adopted in 2019 has been a lifeline for park staff and has eliminated long lines at the gate. Visitors from the urban areas are coming in record numbers to explore the park and enjoy nature, and I have never seen so many kids in the park. 

The Friends group has continued to support the park; members made 45 masks for park staff to use, we purchased packs with hydration bladders for the rangers, and new tools which were outside the park’s budget constraints. We are lining up campfire programs and are looking forward to opening our store soon, complete with a new credit card point-of-sale system. We have a contract with Texas Conservation Corps to build and re-build our trail system; when that happens, we will have spent $50,000 on this effort!

And so, at this time we ask you to join the Friends group so the good work can continue. Members who commit to a yearly donation are the foundation of our yearly budget. A donation of at least $35 in calendar year makes you a member!

We hope to re-schedule our annual membership picnic to the fall and will send out information when it can move forward.

Thank you,
 
Robert C. Deming
President