| |
A view
of Lake Bosque from the Bee Ledge Scenic Overlook.
Photo
courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher |
Park Location
173 Park Road 7
Meridian,
TX 76665
31.889266, -97.702365 (latitude, longitude)
(254) 435-2536
Meridian
State Park is located three miles southwest of Meridian
Texas on State Highway 22 in Bosque County. The park is located along the
98th meridian in an area of transition from prairies to hill country. |
Park History
Like so many Texas
state parks constructed in the 1930's, Meridian State Park was built by the
Civilian Conservation Corps. Skilled World
War I veterans from CCC Company 1827 constructed Meridian State Park between
July 1933 and October 1934. A small group of men from CCC Company 817 finished
work on the park between October 1934 and March 1935 with the park opening to
the public in 1935. Meridian was one of the first Texas CCC state parks finished
and available to travelers for the Texas
Centennial Celebration of 1936.
CCC Company 1827 accomplished a lot
in its short time at Meridian. They built a dam across Bee Creek to impound 72
acre Lake Bosque, the most prominent landscape feature at the park, and they built
a refectory on a hillside above the lake. A refectory, by the way, is a building
that provides public space, restrooms, and a concession area.
Civilian
Conservation Corps Company 1827 also built the entrance portal, five miles of
scenic roads, culverts, and several bridges within the park. There are two smaller
bridges on the section of park road going to the Shinnery Ridge Trail, and there’s
a larger vehicle bridge on the park road going to the Bee Ledge Scenic Overlook.
|
 |
A view
of the concession building and pergola at Meridian State Park
Photo
courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher |
Recreation
72-acre Lake Bosque is
the recreational centerpiece of the park. Swimming and picnicking are popular
during the Summer months. Fishing and no-wake boating, canoeing and kayaking are
other recreational options.
The park lies in a region of gently rolling
hills with varied flora. Areas north and west of the lake tend to be on higher
ground. Wildflower displays can be nice in this area of the park during the Spring
months. Bird watching is another popular recreation in the Spring. The trails
within the entire park offer topographic and scenic variety.
Camping facilities
are limited at this park so plan ahead during the busy season. Meridian State
Park has more than a dozen screen shelters available and some of them are on the
lake near the concession building. You might consider them as an alternative to
the camping area.
Meridian State Park is a great little park just far
enough away from Dallas, Fort
Worth, and Waco
to be convenient for day use. This is one of the earliest parks constructed by
The Civilian Conservation Corps in Texas. The architecture
and landscapes here are quite good. The combination of rolling hills, green meadows,
and 72-acre Lake Bosque make for a wonderful experience. The wildflowers
at this park are a bonus in the Spring. |
 |
Wildflowers
growing in the field along the park road
Photo
courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher, March 2012 |
Near By
The town of Meridian is
just a few miles up State Highway 22. Meridian
is the county seat of Bosque County, and It has a classic old county
courthouse that occupies the center of the town square. Clifton
and Glen Rose
are two other charming little towns that you may want to visit while in the area.
|
The
concession building at Meridian State Park
Photo
courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher, March 2012 |
The
entrance portal at Meridian State Park
Photo
courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher, March 2012 |
©
Sam
Fenstermacher
February
28, 2013
Author's
note:
When I site dates and facts of history about Texas CCC state parks
it's very likely that information came from the book Parks for Texas: Enduring
Landscapes of the New Deal by James Wright Steely.
More
Texas State Parks
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