Lonestar Coastal Alliance is a collaboration between private property owners, local government leaders, parks and refuges, and historic sites with a vested interest in the economic development and preservation of Texas's southeastern shore. The group's primary goal is to obtain national recreation distinction from the National Park Service and increase visitation to the area.
The proposed Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area (LSCNRA) includes the upper and middle Texas Gulf Coast from the Matagorda Peninsula to the Sabine Pass, across Brazoria, Galveston and Jefferson counties, all within an hour or two drive from Houston. By granting the region national park status, the group would be able to preserve important conservation areas while promoting nature and heritage tourism and enhanced outdoor recreation opportunities.
A 2017 economic impact study projected that the designation of the LSCNRA would likely add $140 million in local sales and 3,485 jobs to the four-county LSCNRA area in its first ten years of operation. Plans are being made to bring the important piece of legislation to Congress.
The new website, Explore Lonestar Coastal, launched last week with over 300 points of interest, itineraries, and trip planning tools. Local stakeholders have personally nominated all areas as standout attractions and experiences that highlight the area's uniqueness.
photo courtesy of Visit Beaumont