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Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center

Coordinates: 29°52.22′N 95°10.37′W / 29.87033°N 95.17283°W / 29.87033; -95.17283
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Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center
Sheldon Lake State Park
The John Jacob Observation Tower
The John Jacob Observation Tower
Map showing the location of Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center
Map showing the location of Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center
Location in Texas
Map showing the location of Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center
Map showing the location of Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center
Location in United States
LocationHouston, Harris County, Texas
Nearest cityJacinto City, Texas
Coordinates29°52.22′N 95°10.37′W / 29.87033°N 95.17283°W / 29.87033; -95.17283
Area2,789 acres (11.29 km2)
Established1955
Visitors48,491 (in 2022)[1]
Governing bodyTexas Parks and Wildlife Department

Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center is a 2,800-acre outdoor education and recreation facility in northeast Harris County managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The site is located along Sheldon Lake reservoir. The federal government constructed the reservoir on Carpenter's Bayou in 1942 in order to support growing war-related industries along the Houston Ship Channel. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired the reservoir in 1952 to provide a refuge for migratory waterfowl, a public fishing lake and a fish hatchery. It opened in 1955 as the Sheldon Wildlife Management Area. The hatchery closed in 1975, and the land began to revert naturally to forest, ponds and marshes. The site was designated a state park in 1984.[2]

Features

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The park features recreational opportunities including group camping, picnic areas, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, fishing, and an environmental learning center. Alternative energy technologies and green building techniques were used during construction of many of the parks structures, including the Pond Center, an open-entry pavilion the formerly housed the site's office, lab, and garage.[3]

The John Jacob Observation Tower is an 82-foot wheelchair-accessible structure, allowing park visitors opportunities to view the surrounding wetlands and prairie, as well as the skyline of downtown Houston.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Christopher Adams. "What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here's the top 10 countdown". KXAN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center: History". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  3. ^ "A Guide to Alternative Energy and Green Building at Sheldon Lake Environmental Learning Center" (PDF). Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
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