With 2,000 feet of Lake Palestine shoreline, the 650‑acre tract sits 18 miles west of Tyler and 20 miles east of Athens, offering pine forests, grasslands, a pecan orchard, and ten ponds. The Pollard family, who began cultivating pecans there in 1940, turned the ranch into a family legacy of hunting, fishing and tree sales, a sentiment echoed by president Sam Pollard who called the land his soul. TPWD plans to open the park in stages—initial guided access, followed by day‑use sites, then overnight camps—once it secures extra funding from the voter‑approved Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, with formal acquisition slated for late 2027. Executive Director Anne Brown hailed the $10 million purchase as a rare chance to lock in a 650‑acre gem, while director Rodney Franklin praised the combination of lake access and pecan heritage; local residents anticipate new recreational opportunities once development finishes.