FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2019
Media contact: Lydia Saldaña
817.851.5729
lsaldana@tpwf.org
Just in time for Christmas, Phillips 66 representatives presented a much-needed utility terrain vehicle (UTV) to Mustang Island State Park staff as part of a multi-year commitment to support Texas State Parks through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF). The new vehicle will be used to patrol areas of the park that are difficult to reach with conventional vehicles.
“We’re proud to be a member of the Corpus Christi community and a partner to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation,” said Ronald Grandstaff, Central Junction Area Supervisor for Phillips 66. “Safety is a top priority at Phillips 66, and we’re excited this donation will help the team at Mustang Island keep park goers safe and enhance the wildlife areas that we all enjoy.”
Mustang Island State Park near Port Aransas, just outside of Corpus Christi, is located on a barrier island with more than five miles of coastline. The park consists of over 4,500 acres, approximately 3,200 of which are located on the Corpus Christi Bay side of the park. The park offers activities including camping, hiking, birding, paddling, and some of the best shallow-water fishing in Texas.
Over 150,000 people visit Mustang Island State Park annually. The bay side of the park is lightly developed and has limited access due to rough terrain, substantial roadway damage after storms, and habitually soft ground, which often limits the park’s law enforcement patrol vehicles from responding to emergencies and ensuring visitor safety. The new UTV will significantly impact law enforcement response time during emergencies and allow for more consistent presence on the bay side of the park.
“This type of equipment has been on our wish list for a long time,” said Scott Taylor, Mustang Island State Park Superintendent. “We really appreciate this generous grant from Phillips 66. It will allow us to regularly patrol the bay side of the park and will be invaluable for search and rescue operations and other law enforcement needs.”
Mustang Island State Park is one of seven parks across the state that have benefited from the generosity of Phillips 66. From water bottle filling stations at Palo Duro Canyon to interpretive exhibits at Brazos Bend and habitat restoration projects at Choke Canyon, Phillips 66 is helping to enhance the park experience for Texas State Parks visitors. Projects that will be underway in 2020 include new trails at the Goose Island State Park’s Big Tree Natural Area, native seed planting at Choke Canyon State Park and trail work and construction of a nature playscape at Lake Corpus Christi.
“Phillips 66 continues to set the corporate philanthropy bar high,” said Bob Benson, TPWF’s Director of Major Gifts. “Their steadfast commitment to Texas State Parks is making a difference for both the visitors who enjoy these beautiful sites and the professional staff who are serving the people of Texas. TPWF is fortunate to have such a dedicated corporate partner that believes in the cause and is committed to help where and when needed.”
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 raised more than $190 million in private philanthropy to ensure that all Texans, today and in the future, can enjoy the wild things and wild places of Texas.
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