New Texas State Park Near Boerne: Why It Isn't a Park | ABK

A new Texas outdoor site is about to open between Boerne and Bandera, and it is not a state park. Stephanie Kwiatkowski, superintendent of the Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area, explains why that distinction matters, what 28 miles of trail will actually feel like, and why late fall 2026 is the target to let the public in.

ABK sits on 3,814 acres along Highway 46 at Pipe Creek, on the Bandera County and Kendall County line. Albert and Bessie Kronkosky willed the ranch to Texas. The state accepted it in 2011. The monument is already up. Cabins, screened shelters, tent sites, backcountry camping, and hike-and-bike trails are part of the build. Texas Parks and Wildlife has not posted an exact opening day.

This is a return visit. James Rice, the first site superintendent, joined the show while the land was still in survey and planning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W62mo3ffdK0

In this conversation:
→ State natural area vs. state park, and why ABK lands on the conservation side
→ What changed from James Rice's solo-ranger years to a six-person team
→ The volunteers who surveyed nearly 4,000 acres before staff arrived
→ Canyon viewsheds the site owns on both sides, Bigtooth maples, Red Bluff Creek, and Pipe Creek
→ The July Hill Country flood, and why seeing it before opening was useful
→ What to expect when you reserve: lighter on the land than a recreation park
→ Late fall 2026, cooler weather, and maple color on the trails

Steph came up through Lost Pines (Bastrop and Buescher) and Pedernales Falls before taking the ABK superintendent role in June 2026.

Plan ahead: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/albert-bessie-kronkosky
Location: 7690 Highway 46, Pipe Creek, Texas

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More on the show: https://www.buildingtexasshow.com

Chapters

00:00 Both sides of the canyon
00:19 Welcome back to ABK
01:03 First 90 days, and a team of six
02:18 Why this is a state natural area, not a state park
05:25 The volunteers who built the baseline
07:12 How Stephanie got to Texas Parks and Wildlife
10:29 The July flood, before the public arrives
12:49 Camping, and coming prepared
13:42 What Highway 46 does not show you
16:40 Albert and Bessie Kronkosky's gift
17:29 Late fall 2026, and the Bigtooth maples
18:26 Thank you to the full team

#TexasStateParks #HillCountry #Boerne #BuildingTexas