Undeveloped land at Andy Bowie Park: What should be done with it?
More than 100 acres of Andy Bowie Park on South Padre Island remain undeveloped, and community groups are working to keep the area as natural and pristine as possible, away from commercial interests.
But attendance at a Cameron County workshop Thursday, where the public had a chance to voice concerns and recommendations regarding the land, was poorly attended.
"I’m glad (the meeting) took place but disappointed it was held at 4 p.m., which is not conducive to a big turnout," said Mary Helen Flores, who presented the workshop before the county’s Commissioners’ Court with other members of the Andy Bowie Park Land Use Committee.
The Commissioners’ Court created the committee last year and is made up of local residents who are interested in land usage and management of the land.
At Thursday’s workshop the organization echoed recommendations suggested at a similar public meeting held earlier this year at the Town of South Padre Island. Among the suggestions for the park were:
*A nature trail made of walkovers and boardwalks
*A for-profit camping area
*A dedicated launch and landing area for kiteboards and sailboats
*A for-profit fishing pier with possibly a restaurant
*A nature trail made of walkovers and boardwalks
*A for-profit camping area
*A dedicated launch and landing area for kiteboards and sailboats
*A for-profit fishing pier with possibly a restaurant
Andy Bowie Park consists of about 225 acres — about 111 of which remain undeveloped — and includes the Andy Bowie Park Pavilion and South Padre Island Convention Center. Community members and organizations have long been fighting for preservation of its natural environment.
Delton Lee, president of Friends of Isla Blanca Park, expressed concern over the leasing of public parkland for private development.
Another public meeting will be held in the coming months. A time and place has not been scheduled, but Flores said it would likely take place in San Benito. She encouraged the community to attend.
"This belongs to us and it is very important that people understand they have a say in what happens," she said.
