News Updates

FORT WORTH, Texas –  (Updated, January 11, 2012).  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Fort Worth District, and the Our Lands and Waters Foundation (OLWF) have been cooperatively managing Corps lakes and parks since 2007, and OLWF is announcing an important change in the 2012 Use Fee schedule.
 
The Our Lands and Waters Foundation is a non-profit foundation established to upgrade and enhance the aging facilities on the lakes managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They have also worked with local communities to secure partners for facility development across the lakes.  By working together, the OLWF and the Corps have been able to provide additional public services such as water safety education, additional funding for operational and management activities, renovated park amenities, and enhanced stewardship and recreation opportunities.
 
This partnership was initiated in order to “stretch” the Corps’ declining budgets and as a way to keep the Corps from having to close facilities or limit park utilization.  As the downward trend of funding is expected to continue and accelerate, under the cooperative management agreement, the OLWF will not only continue to assist in operating the parks but also manage and pay for:  electrical and water usage within the parks; various services including cleaning, mowing, refuse pickup; and to assist in the minor maintenance of the recreation facilities within their leased premises.  The Corps has retained its responsibilities for management, patrol, regulation enforcement, and will continue (within available funding) to provide major maintenance, renovations, and rehabilitation of all cooperatively managed parks and recreation facilities for the benefit of present and future generations.  
 
In order for the Our Lands and Waters Foundation to provide all of these public services, effective January 1, 2012, the OLWF “Use Fees” will be nominally increased:
1.  Day Use Parks:  to $  4.00 per vehicle, area use fee in lieu of per individual person
2.  RV Campsites:  by $  8 - $12 per day for electric sites, depending on amenities*
3.  Tent Camping:  by $  2 - $4, depending on amenities*
4.  Pavilions:  by $ 25 – $50, depending on amenities*           
     *  Amenities – water; electric (i.e., 20, 30, 50 amp services); sewer; tables; shelters; cookers; showers, etc.
 
All use fees collected by the OLWF are collected and expended by the OLWF for the support of the Cooperatively Managed Parks/Areas at each Lake.  Actual prices vary by lake and/or region depending on the amenities provided.  For specific information, please see the modified fee structure at your favorite lake or park website:
 
OLWF:
  Day Use Fees
  Camping Fees
  Group Use Fees

Corps :http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/  “About Us” – “Lake Rec. Info” – “Use Fees” – “Camping, Day, Group Use Fees”
 
OLWF continues to honor all passes: 
1.   Golden Age/Access and America the Beautiful Passes - 50% off Camping
2.   Annual Day Use Pass - the purchase of a Corps Annual Day Use Pass for $30.00 (allows you and anyone in your vehicle to use non-reservable Day Use facilities for no additional charge for one year, from month of purchase).
 
All existing reservations will not be affected.  Customers may continue reserving facilities in these parks through the NRRS atwww.Recreation.govor by calling toll free (877) 444-6777.  Hours of Operation and rules governing the use of the parks will not change at this time.  Additional information on the Our Lands and Waters Foundation can be viewed atwww.ourlandsandwaters.com, or by calling the OLWF at (972)436-0176. 
 
Affected cooperatively managed Corps Lakes and Parks:
 
Lewisville - (469) 645-9100 -  Westlake, Oakland, and Hickory Creek Parks
Benbrook - (817) 292-2400 -  Holiday (North & South), Mustang, and Rocky Creek Parks
Lavon - (972) 442-3141 -  East Fork, Lavonia, Clear Lake, Avalon, Lakeland, and Tickey Creek Parks
Sam Rayburn - (409) 384-5716 -  Mill Creek, Twin Dikes, San Augustine, Rayburn, Ebenezer and Hanks Creek