FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2021
Media contact: Lydia Saldaña
817.851.5729
lsaldana@tpwf.org
Fulton Fishing Pier Rebuilt and Ready to Welcome Anglers
Private Funding from YETI and Sid W. Richardson Foundation Support Pier Reconstruction
FULTON, TX – The iconic Fulton Fishing Pier has been rebuilt and is welcoming visitors to the Texas coast. The pier was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, a devastating blow to both local and visiting anglers. The town of Fulton secured funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the $2 million project and enlisted the help of Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) to spearhead the process and raise the 10 percent non-federal match. Thanks to generous private support from YETI and the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, construction of the pier got underway last fall.
“This project marks the final step for our town in recovering from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey,” said Fulton Mayor Kelli Cole. “We appreciate Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s commitment to the Texas coastal communities affected by the hurricane, and we are immensely grateful to YETI and the Sid W. Richardson Foundation for the private funds that made this project possible. We invite all who love the Texas coast to come visit us and drop a line in the water from this spectacular new pier.”
The Fulton Fishing Pier is a significant community asset for Aransas County, serving as both a tourist attraction for visitors to the Coastal Bend region and as a recreational outlet for residents. The pier is the central feature of the popular Fulton Beach Park, and its strategic location is an important economic driver for local businesses.
The hurricane washed away several sections of the pier and structural damage to what remained made repairing it impossible. The new pier was rebuilt on the same footprint but with enhancements including a new covered weather pavilion and upgraded LED fishing lights. The new pier is also ADA accessible.
“The beautiful waters of the Texas gulf coast are renowned for their fishing spots and Rockport and Fulton have been angling destinations for decades,” said Paulie Dery, Vice President of Marketing at YETI. “We were eager to support the rebuilding efforts of the iconic Fulton Pier and are thrilled visitors and local anglers are being welcomed back.”
In addition to raising funds for the match, TPWF also contracted directly on the engineering and design of the new pier to expedite the reconstruction process.
“The Gulf of Mexico is the lifeblood of our Coastal Bend communities, and the town of Fulton has been welcoming visitors to fish from its pier for decades,” said Pete Geren, President and CEO of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, which provided funding for the engineering and design. “By rebuilding the Fulton Fishing Pier, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has restored a critical artery to the Gulf for countless Texans.”
In addition to the Fulton Fishing Pier, TPWF has supported Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts up and down the coast. TPWF also secured $1.5 million to help restore Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Coastal Fisheries Division resources, including fish hatcheries, research vessels, boat barns, and equipment storage areas.
“We love the Texas coast and are grateful to YETI, the Sid W. Richardson Foundation and many other generous individuals and organizations for supporting Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts,” said TPWF Executive Director Susan Houston. “We’re happy to see things getting back to normal for our friends in Fulton, and we join the mayor in inviting anglers to check out the new pier.”
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation raises private funds to advance Texas’ proud outdoor traditions and conserve our state’s wildlife, habitat, recreational areas, and natural resources. Since 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has invested more than $215 million in efforts to ensure that all Texans, today and in the future, can enjoy the wild things and wild places of Texas.
The charming coastal community of Fulton, Texas welcomes visitors to share in the tranquility and abundant natural gifts that have made Fulton, Texas a vacation destination for 100 years. In addition to outdoor recreation such as fishing, birding, and boating, Fulton offers some of the finest shopping, restaurants and accommodations in the Texas Coastal Bend area.
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Printable PDF of Press Release HERE.
