For Immediate Release
January 23, 2025
Contact: Eddie Treviño, Jr.
Cameron County Judge
CAMERON COUNTY TO RECEIVE A COMBINED $2.25 MILLION FROM THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS OF TWO COUNTY PARKS
Cameron County is pleased to announce that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved funding for the creation of the Laguna Madre Nature Center and improvements to Laureles Regional Park.
The Laguna Madre Nature Center, approved for $1.5 million in funding under the Non-Urban Indoor Recreation Grant Program, will be located at the Bejarano-McFarland Memorial Park, adjacent to Laguna Madre Bay. It will provide essential environmental education, highlight the ecological importance of the Laguna Madre7 and promote conservation practices to ensure the long-term health of the region.
The proposed design for the Laguna Madre Nature Center includes classrooms, exhibit spaces and stunning views of the Lower Laguna Madre. This design ensures inclusive access for visitors of all ages and abilities. Sustainable features of the project include permeable parking surfaces, energy-efficient technologies, rainwater harvesting systems, shaded walkways and native habitat landscaping—all aligning with the region’s dedication to environmental conservation and coastal water quality.
This nature center will complement the South Texas Eco-Tourism Center, which also received funding in 2019 from Texas Parks & Wildlife under both the Indoor and Outdoor Recreational Programs.
Laureles Regional Park, which was approved for $750,000 in funding under the Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Program, was built by Cameron County in 2010 and is located in the colonia of Laureles, between Los Fresnos and San Benito. Developed in partnership with Texas Parks & Wildlife and covering 24.14 acres, the park offers many amenities, including two baseball fields, a practice field, a basketball court, soccer areas, a picnic pavilion, a splash pad, trails, restrooms and a playground.
Since its development, there has been a significant increase in youth sports activities, including little league baseball, youth football and soccer. It’s also a popular destination for family outings and gatherings.
The proposed improvements for Laureles Regional Park include the creation of a nature trail with native vegetation and interpretive signage, the replacement of the playground structure with one that is more inclusive, the installation of a rain catchment system for irrigating a butterfly garden and the nature trail, the development of an exercise/fitness court and family picnic structures, the addition of efficient LED downlighting for the baseball field and along the nature trail and other enhancements to ensure universal access for visitors of all ages and abilities.
“Thank you, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, for this wonderful funding opportunity. We are excited to bring these new additions and park improvements to our community with the partnership and support of Texas Parks & Wildlife. The Laguna Madre Nature Center and the improvements to the Laureles Regional Park will provide inclusive spaces for all to enjoy and experience the natural beauty of our region,” stated Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. Cameron County Commissioner Precinct 3 David A. Garza stated, “We’re excited to announce the park improvements and infrastructure this funding allows. Thanks, Texas Parks & Wildlife, for the continuous partnership and most importantly, for supporting us in our nonstop efforts of beautifying and highlighting the great outdoors of South Texas.”
Joe E. Vega, Cameron County Parks & Recreation Director, stated, “We appreciate the continued partnership with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. The new Laguna Madre Nature Center and the improvements to Laureles Regional Park will be great assets to their respective communities. We are looking forward to starting the development of these projects soon.”
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