Texas State Parks Online
On May 12, just in time for the summer season, TPWD launched a new business software system christened TxParks that integrates customer-friendly features along with comprehensive and trackable real-time park and financial data.
As computer users know, things don’t always go as smoothly as everyone hopes they will. During the roll-out period, TxParks has hit a few bumps in the road, and TPWD is hoping that park users will understand.
“There have definitely been some glitches in the system,” said Bryan Frazier, TPWD Director of Public Affairs. “They are being worked out as quickly as possible, and we hope folks will be patient. We know this isn’t easy. It is folks’ leisure time, and they don’t want to waste a minute of it hassling over a computer glitch.”
One of the benefits for park users is they now may make online camping reservations without paying an extra $3 fee, which had been charged previously for booking via the Internet. Reservations may be made online by logging on to TPWD’s Web site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us; click on “Parks” and then on “Reservations.” This is a multi-subject site that includes a host of information about TPWD.
Another Web site, www.texasstateparks.org, is devoted strictly to the parks system and may be navigated more quickly and easily. Just log on and click the “Reservations” icon.
Between May 12, when the system went online, and May 31, the central reservation office received more than 30,000 calls, booked 8,031 reservations and sold 267 annual state park passes.
TxPark makes state park annual pass cards immediately available for park- goers who purchase them. There is no more temporary card or lag time waiting for a card to arrive through the mail. Texans may now use their park passes and discounts on their very first visit to one of Texas’ beautiful state parks.
Other benefits include new State Park Gift Cards, which may be bought at any park and redeemed for any park purchase or rental, such as entrance or camping fees, state park store merchandise or canoe or kayak rental.
New, color-coded Parklands Passport cards, commonly called “Bluebonnet Passes,” also are available. These passes are free to senior citizens, Texans with disabilities and disabled veterans. All new, park-related pass cards include a
barcode and magnetic stripe on the back, allowing park employees to scan for customer data at a park’s entry.
Our beautiful state parks are a Texas treasure, and I commend TPWD for taking steps to make it easier for Texans to utilize the parks. I encourage park- goers to give the new system a chance to work.
Another phase is planned, and when Phase II is implemented, I believe Texas will have the finest - and most efficient - state park system in the nation.