In El Paso, a land transfer from El Paso Water to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shows how partnerships can protect natural resources while expanding public access.
This long-standing partnership between El Paso Water and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department continued to grow on May 14, when El Paso Water transferred an additional 1,054 acres to TPWD, expanding the eastern boundary of Franklin Mountains State Park.
The move also reflects years of planning and stewardship by El Paso Water.
The land on the northeastern edge of the Franklin Mountains was part of El Paso Water’s portfolio, held to protect resources and support long-term planning.
By transferring 1,054 acres to TPWD, El Paso Water gave the land a new public purpose.
Now, in addition to preserving the land for future generations, El Paso Water’s transfer to TPWD will expand public access.
It’s a shared vision in action.
Expanding a regional landmark
Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest urban wilderness park in the continental United States — a distinction made possible in part by El Paso Water’s transfer of approximately 12,000 acres to the TPWD many years ago. That land represents about half of the park’s total acreage.
El Paso Water is proud to have played a role in creating this special place, where current and future generations can experience the beauty of the Franklin Mountains.
The recent addition of 1,054 acres further strengthens that legacy by expanding the park’s footprint and enhancing its long-term preservation.
The new land provides additional terrain, improves connectivity, and increases access, particularly in the park’s northeastern area. It also serves as a buffer against urban encroachment, helping protect the Franklin Mountains’ unique desert landscape and scenic views for years to come.
For El Paso Water, the sale reflects a longstanding commitment to land stewardship.
The transfer preserves the land’s environmental value while creating new opportunities for conservation and recreation.
The property helps protect the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem, native wildlife and the regional ecological balance.
It also supports TPWD’s mission to expand access to public lands as Texas grows.
Benefits for the community
For El Paso residents, the benefits of this partnership will grow over time.
The expansion supports:
- More access to trails, hiking and outdoor recreation.
- Preserved views and open space.
- Protected wildlife habitat and desert ecosystems.
- Long-term quality-of-life benefits tied to green space.
As the region grows, these benefits help balance development and conservation.
TPWD will assess natural and cultural resources and develop a public use plan for the land.
This planning process will determine how visitors access the area, where trails may expand and how the land can best serve both recreational and conservation goals.
It’s a deliberate approach — one that reflects the same long-term thinking that guided El Paso Water’s stewardship of the land.
A partnership with purpose
At its core, this land transfer demonstrates what is possible when organizations align around a shared goal.
By transferring 1,054 acres to TPWD, El Paso Water is extending its impact beyond water and infrastructure, helping shape how the region preserves its natural assets for generations to come.
For TPWD, the acquisition represents another step toward expanding public access and protecting the landscapes that define Texas.
As the Franklin Mountains State Park grows, so will opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the outdoors.
What was once utility-owned land is now part of a larger vision — one that prioritizes conservation, access and community benefit. Its impact will be visible in every trail explored, every view preserved and every future generation that gets to experience the Franklin Mountains.
Interested in learning more about El Paso Water’s conservation efforts, water resource management and community initiatives? Visit https://www.epwater.org/about-us/sustainability to explore how El Paso Water is helping protect and sustain the region’s water resources for generations to come.
The post From stewardship to state park: Land transfer expands Franklin Mountains State Park appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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