Goose Island State Park Fishing Pier
202 S. Palmetto, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Goose Island St. Park Fishing Pier Located at the West end of the Fishing Pier on Goose Island, this is an excellent beginners launch area. Protected from the prevailing SE wind it affords access to fishing and birding.
Aransas Woods
Aransas Woods, 4333, 4351 TX-35, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) This site is home to Texas Coastal Birding Trail Site #47.Worked with FEMA and TDEM to replace the windmill and clear the miles of trails after the devastation from Hurricane Harvey. During “fallouts” coastal mottes such as Aransas Woods offer food and protection to thousands upon thousands of weary landbirds who might otherwise perish if forced to continue inland to the nearest contiguous forests. The site’s observation platform overlooks a complex of grassland, oak motte, and shallow wetlands, making this site attractive to birds and other wildlife year-round. Spring Species – Migrants along the woodland trails including Warblers, Orioles, Tanagers, Vireos and Flycatchers Fall and Winter Species – Marsh Wren, Sora, Swamp Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat Aransas Woods Hwy. 35 Bypass, about 1 mile north of 188 on the eastern side of road. Watch for the Great Texas Birding Trail sign. This location is a fresh water marsh surrounded by oak mottes and native grasses. Site has a windmill, walking tails and an observation deck. Aransas Woods has an ADA compliant walkway to elevated overlook.platform.plus grass maintained trails
Lamar – St. Charles Bay Boat Launch
175 Lamar Beach Rd, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) 28°08’32.6″N 96°58’35.3″W Lamar Navigation District Dock AKA St. Charles Bay Boat Launch – Located on the East side of Lamar Beach road on Lamar Peninsula just South of Fourth Street, this site affords access to the West side of St. Charles Bay for fishing and birding. Located just off shore are shell reefs that attract birds and fish. The Aransas County Navigation District owns and manages this site and is willing to make a special access point for kayakers. Adequate parking is in place. Fishing just off the South end of the launch is a pier that has a shell reef 30 yards off the end.
Big Tree Kayaking
1600 Twelfth St., Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) 28°09’06.3″N 96°58’26.2″W located in Lamar Located at the east corner of the intersection of Lamar Beach Road and 12th Street on the Lamar Peninsula, this site has long been used as access to St. Charles bay for wade fishing and kayaking. There is limited parking thus making it a limited use site. This area is owned by Texas Parks and Wildlife but they have not made any improvements to it. A kayak trip north along the West shore line of St Charles Bay will encounter many fishing and birding sites.
Tule Creek Hike and Bike Trail
2429 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) Tule Creek Hike and Bike Trail is open from sunrise to sunset and is just over 1 mile (1.08 mi.) starting at the trail head at the north entrance of Walmart (turn right into the parking area in front of the gazebo) and connects via Enterprise Blvd. to the Memorial Park trail system.
Celebrate Texas Independence
Beginning March 21 through May 16, 2015, at 801 E. Cedar St., the History Center for Aransas County will present “Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence,” an exhibition developed by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. On the frozen morning of March 1, 1836, 44 men shivered in an unfinished house in the tiny hamlet of Washington, Texas. They and 15 other men who later joined them, representing all the municipalities in the Mexican province of Texas, declared the territory to be a free and independent republic. Through panels of photographic images and captions, “Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence” presents an expanded look at these 59 extraordinary men who brought modern Texas into being. Connections to local descendants of those original signers will also be on view. The exhibition will be open and free to the public from March 21 to May 16, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 AM to 2 PM. To arrange group visits, go to www.aransashistorycenter.org or call 361 727-9214. To view downloadable flyer, click signers-event-flyer.
Aransas Pathways Volunteers Honored
Volunteers with Aransas Pathways were recognized for their hard work on Saturday May 9 with a luncheon, certificate and tote bag. Speakers – Tom Callan, Charlie Smith, CJ Wax and De McLallen – all praised and thanked the volunteers from the Birding groups, History groups, Trails groups and Kayakers who have helped build and promote the projects and sites of Aransas Pathways. The concept of inter-connected exceptional sites for birding and history has been desired and worked on for many years by several different volunteer groups. They came together in 2011-2012 and formed the Aransas Pathways Project. It has always been volunteers and we all imagine it will continue that way. A great job continues to be done by all.
Come to the Grand Opening of the Henderson Nature Preserve
Wednesday September 16, 2015, 10 a.m. The newest Pathways Project – Henderson Nature Preserve – Free and open to the public. About the project: The front parking lot features paver stones with grass growing in between, thus creating an penetrable surface. There is a walking trail complete with interpretive signage. The area also features two water retention ponds, which take on the water that comes from Marion Drive. The walking trail connects to Palmetto Street and there is an available entrance with an ADA compliant parking lot available from that side – near the gymnastic school, as well as entry from Henderson St. Special Guests For the Event Include: Melissa Porter- Coastal Management Program (CMP) Grants Manager; Julie McIntyre (from GLO) – CMP Project Manager; Kristen Ransom (from NOAA D.C. Office) – NOAA Program Officer; Tom Calnan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)- Texas Liaison for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). Other Activities for the day include: Guided Tour of Henderson Habitat immediately following opening.
Celebrate Texas Independence – Upcoming Events
The Friends of the History Center Present Celebrate Texas Independence: Meet the Signers and Early Patriots History Center for Aransas County A Pathways Venue 801 E. Cedar St.Free AdmissionMarch 21 – May 16, 2015Open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Programs: Saturday, April 4th 10 a.m.Plant Exchange Saturday, April 11th 10 a.m.Tracing Your Family Descendants Presented by Sally Reynolds, President, Aransas County Genealogical Society Saturday, May 2nd 10 a.m.Designing and Constructing Period Costumes Presented by Amanda Martin, Texas Army For more information, see www.aransashistorycenter.orgClick here for printable flyer.Visit Aransas Count History Center’s Facebook page.
The First Way Finding Sign Installed
August 19, 2014, the first of several Way Finding Signs was installed at the corner of Live Oak and E. Cedar in time for the Premiere Opening of the Connie Hagar “First Lady of Texas Birding” Exhibit. The Exhibit is presented by the Friends of the History Center for Aransas County made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The History Center will also be hosting some of our hummer guests.