Port Aransas Nature Preserve
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Review our Visitation Guidelines  and suggestions for enjoying the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture, located on Port Street. Map Link
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Phase 1 provides over 2 miles of hike and bike trails within the park. Amenities include the Pavilion, boardwalks over algal flats, crushed granite trails on the uplands, covered seating sites and a tower overlooking wetland areas around Salt Island.
Phase 2 of the Port Aransas Nature Preserve adds another 1.25 miles and a viewing tower to the existing trail system. The entry is located off Hwy 361 and will eventually provide a link to the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.
Click below for trail map showing Phase 1 (completed in June 2010) and Phase 2 (completed in December 2011):
Nature Preserve Trail Map (low resolution 3.5MB)
Nature Preserve Trail Map (higher resolution 21.5MB)
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Groundbreaking for Phase 1 the Port Aransas Nature Preserve was held on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 10:30 am near the proposed site for Node 8, the main access point into the Nature Preserve along the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.
Dedication of Phase 1 was held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 2:30 pm at the Nature Preserve Pavilion.
Groundbreaking for Phase 2 was held on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm at entry way in the 2600 block of Hwy 361 South.
Dedication of Phase 2 was held on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 10:30 am at the trailhead of the new hike/bike pathway.
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On September 18, 2008, City Council approved the design/construction plans for Phase 1 of the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture.
Overall View of Nature Preserve
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In 2004, the City of Port Aransas allocated $2 million dollars in Certificates of Obligation to develop the Port Aransas Nature Preserve. In 2006, with the input from a consulting group and members of the Port Aransas community, the Port Aransas City Council adopted a preliminary set of design guidelines for the development of this major nature facility.
This page will be updated as information becomes available.
Nature Preserve Design Guidlines
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Nature Preserve Phase 2 entry off SH 361
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Below are photos of Phase 1 construction in the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture. Aerial views courtesy of Mark Young and Mark Creighton.
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Boardwalk across flats
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Salt Island Viewing Tower
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Salt Island Overlook
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