Plus, there's a veterans job fair tomorrow at AT&T Stadium.
Meet us at the park 🌳
A new state park is opening west of Fort Worth in 2023
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. | Photo by Texas Parks & Wildlife
For the first time in 25 years, a new state park is set to open in North Texas. The Palo Pinto Mountains State Park — located about 75 miles west of Fort Worth — will open at the end of the year in coordination with the centennial celebration of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
As part of the 100th anniversary, the TPWD is hosting a series of events including ranger-guided walks and hikes across 89 state parks.
We thought we’d take part in our own celebration by highlighting the state parks around North Texas, starting with the newest addition in Palo Pinto.
The campsite at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. | Rendering by Bennett Partners
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park 🍃
Known as the “hill country of the north,” the park will sit on 5,000 acres of land with several 1,400-ft peaks, the 90-acre Tucker Lake, and two creeks. There will also be 18 miles of hiking, biking, and horse riding trails, along with four campgrounds.
Bennett Partners will work on design elements for the visitor center, playscape, equestrian campground, and camping loop. According to TPWD, the buildings will be light on the land and blend in with the pristine forests of live oaks, post oaks, and pecan trees.
An overview of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. | Rendering by Bennett Partners
Private funds raised by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation and Field & Future by H-E-B will be leveraged with $21 million in public funds to construct the roads, utilities, buildings, and other facilities necessary to open the park.
Fundraising is still underway, and officials are hoping for a soft opening by late 2023.
POLL
What North Texas park do you want to learn more about?
Think: Camping and hiking guides, fun facts, and other need-to-know info.
Vivanterre Wine Tasting | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Winehaus, 1628 Park Place Ave., Fort Worth | Cost of purchase | Learn about the process of making natural wine using organic and biodynamically-farmed grapes.
Thursday, Feb. 9
Landscape Basics Design Seminar | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 6-8 p.m. | BRIT, 1700 University Dr., Fort Worth | Free | Tune in online or in-person to learn how to pick the right place for your garden and how to reduce maintenance needs and water use.
Friday, Feb. 10
Valentine’s Day Bubbles & Bows | Friday, Feb. 10 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Kimpton Harper, 714 Main St., Fort Worth | $100 | Celebrate Valentine’s with your best gal pal and learn how to wrap a bottle of champagne while sipping and tasting bubbles at Refinery 714.
Saturday, Feb. 11
Yoga and Cocktails | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | TX Whiskey Ranch, 2601 Whiskey Ranch Rd., Fort Worth | $15 | Instructor Angela Hall will lead the group through a yoga flow followed by a complimentary cocktail in The Tavern.
Sunday, Feb. 12
Big Game Ride | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Trek Bicycle Arlington South, 5739 Southwest Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington | Free | Join hundreds of cyclists for a 60-mile bike ride to and from Klyde Warren Park in Dallas — food trucks will be on-site as well as a Trek hospitality tent with water and snacks.
Tuesday, March 28
“Annie” | Tuesday, March 28-Sunday, April 2 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth | $44-$126 | Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theater-goers that sunshine is always right around the corner — revisit it for yourself in this upcoming production.*
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors serving our local area.
Disabled American Veterans and Recruit Military are hosting a Veterans Job Fair at AT&T Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees should create a profile and upload a resume before the event. Use this map for parking and entry details. 💼
Plan Ahead
Oscar’s Pub 2nd Annual Chili Cook Off is back on Saturday, March 11with celebrity judges, craft beer, and adoptable pets from Saving Hope. Tickets are available for $20 and interested chefs can sign up for $60. Proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth. 🥣
Eat
Taqueria Acapulco on North Main Street is moving west to Willow Park. The taqueria will share a spaceand a menu with Hot Chicks Chickenwhile highlighting specialty items like Hot Chick’s classic Nashville-style hot chicken and Acapulco’s traditional Mexican tacos. It’s expected to openMonday, March 20. 🌮 (CultureMap Fort Worth)
Let them eat(king)cake — or, shall we say beer? Martin House Brewing Company released a new brew this week called King of King’s Cake in celebration of Mardi Gras. The imperial blonde has notes of buttercream and frosting with 10% ABV. Find the brew near you. 🍺
Ranked
Fort Worth apparently has the dough — a survey by LawnStarterranked Cowtown No. 23 for best pizza in the US. The poll took into account access, quality, accolades, popularity, and affordability. What local pizza joint do you think serves up the best slice? Share the sauce with us. 🍕
Wellness
Not feeling like yourself lately?Talkspace makes getting help easy and convenient. With live chat, video, and audio sessions, starting at $69/week, it’s affordable for everyone to fit therapy into their lifestyle, with or without insurance. Start feeling better today with Talkspace.*
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Food
Here crumb the Girl Scouts 🍪
Where to find Girl Scout cookies in Fort Worth
Maple Branch Craft Brewery held a Girl Scout cookie pariring over the weekend. | Photo by @maplebranchbrew
We asked our readers where to snag Girl Scout cookies in Fort Worth this season and you delivered, Thin Mints and all.
Editor’s pick: During my Girl Scout cookie research, I went down a rabbit hole trying to figure out why Girl Scout cookies have different names and appearances based on the region.
Turns out, there are two different cookie recipes circulating right here in DFW. According to a LA Times report, most of North Texas sources from Little Brownie Bakers and Fort Worth sources from ABC Bakers.
The most notable difference?Lemonades vs. Savannah Smiles. The Savannah’s feature a shortbread base with lemon icing while Lemonades are smaller, crisper, and dusted with powdered sugar.
Editorial:Rebecca McRobbie, Kate Mazade, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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