But on Jan. 18 when the master plan was approved and much to the chagrin and apparent surprise of Precinct 1 Commissioner Pete Benavides, Judge Gilberto Hinojosa said that a decision had not been made on first going with the Southmost area park when Benavides asked what the next step would be. Instead, Hinojosa said that the county s prospects looked good for securing state funding for improvements to Boca Chica Beach, to which Benavides responded that he didn t want the Southmost park to take another four years. The park in the Southmost area is projected to be equipped with picnic tables, a sand volleyball court, picnic pavilion, playground, restroom building, horseshoe pits, a multipurpose trail, birdwatching blind, canoe launch and a fishing pier. The project at Boca Chica Beach, which is next in line, calls for a trail with signage, a boardwalk, picnic pavilion, restroom-concession building, dune line, family and children s beach with no vehicle access or entry fees to these areas. Vehicle access would be allowed at another point on the beach.
Officials also plan to house federal, state, and park offices on site.