Parks 3/4

Howard Murph Memorial Park

RockportFulton
May 25, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Jan 4, 2023

Located directly behind the Aransas County Airport, Howard Murph Memorial Park is a gorgeous waterfront park with breathtaking views of Copano Bay. Visitors can launch their kayaks from the shoreline or enjoy picnics and birdwatching in one of many shaded areas scattered around this natural oasis.

Sign at the park

History

Originally known as Airport Park it was later renamed after Howard Murph a long-time local resident of Aransas County. It’s a great place for birdwatchers to catch a glimpse of some of Aransas Counties’ bird species. Here you will encounter Greater Roadrunner, American Oystercatcher, Spotted Sandpipers, Caspian, Royal, and Forster’s Terns, assorted Sparrows in winter, Osprey, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Reddish Egret

Howard Murph Memorial Park

About the Park

Left in its natural state the shoreline of the park is covered with oyster shell fragments and the shallow water has sandy and seagrass beds great for fishing and wading into the shallow water. The spot also makes for a great kayak launch site. The Park also has BBQ pits and covered seating for you to enjoy.

Howard Murph Memorial Park – Aransas Pathways

Aransas Pathways

The park is also part of Aransas Pathways and is one of its many great stops along its path. Here is a link to Aransas Pathways you can download a complete map of all its stops and learn more about the great places to see along the way.

https://aransaspathways.com/

Alligator Warning

We will warn you though that there have been spotting of coastal alligators in the area. Please keep an eye out if you decide to walk out.

Getting to the park is really easy we have provided some directions below.

Howard Murph Memorial Park, Loop 1781, Rockport, TX 78382 Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Directions to the Park

The Aransas County Navigation District has been operating and maintaining the park. Here is a link to their website if you would like to contact them or inquire more about the park.

Aransas County Navigation District Welcome to the Aransas County Navigation District. We exist to conserve and develop natural resources, including the navigation of its inland and coastal waterways, the surface and submerged land deeded to it by letters of patent and acts of the Texas Legislature and all other land and water resources acquired for the benefit of the citizens of Aransas County.

We hope you visit the park and are enjoying the sites and places around Rockport Fulton. Please go to our home page often Rockport Fulton.com to see the latest happenings and learn about all the great things to see and do in the area.

Who we are

The RockportFulton.com website is a comprehensive guide to the towns of Rockport and Fulton, Texas. The website provides a wealth of information about the local area, including events, activities, and attractions.

Arial View of the Rockport Texas Waterfront — Rockport Texas USA

Visitors to the website can find information about local festivals, markets, and events, as well as details about local businesses, restaurants, and accommodations. The website also features a calendar of events, so visitors can easily plan their trip and make the most of their time in Rockport and Fulton.

In addition to providing information about the local area.

RockportFulton.com is also a great resource for those who are interested in the history and culture of Rockport and Fulton. The website includes articles and photos that highlight the rich history of the towns and their unique character.

Overall, the RockportFulton.com website is an excellent resource for anyone planning a trip to Rockport and Fulton, or for those who simply want to learn more about these charming coastal towns.

The Town of Fulton Texas at sunset — The Town of Fulton Texas

Here are some additional links to help you explore the area

Thank you for visiting our page:

The Big Tree

RockportFulton
Feb 12, 2021
4 min read

Updated: Jan 4, 2023

The “Big Tree”, Is located in Aransas County on the Lamar Peninsula near the town of Rockport, Texas. It is considered one of the most famous live oaks in the world after being named “Texas State Champion Virginia Live Oak” (Quercus virginianus) in 1969. The “Big Tree” is still thought to be one of the largest live oak specimens in the United States.

The Big Tree in Lamar, Texas is a beloved local landmark and a must-see destination for visitors to the area. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the history, description, and cultural significance of the Big Tree.

The Big Tree is a beloved local landmark and a symbol of the community's history and culture.

Despite the widespread, historically significant devastation of the surrounding region, the “Big Tree” was relatively unscathed by Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 hurricane that hit Rockport Texas on August 25, 2017

Visiting the “Big Tree” today is easy with available roadside parking. The base of the tree is cordoned off to dissuade climbers, but visitors are nonetheless able to stand below the crown to appreciate the tree’s massive size.

The Big Tree is an impressive sight, with a massive trunk and a canopy that spans over 100 feet. The tree is located in a small park in Lamar, surrounded by a grassy lawn and a wooden fence. Visitors can walk around the tree and marvel at its size, or rest on one of the benches located nearby.

If you would like to visit the big tree here is a map of how to get there:

Map to get to the Big Tree

According to climatologists, the “Big Tree” has survived between forty and fifty major hurricanes, including the most recent, Harvey, and numerous floods, droughts, and wildfires.

The Texas Forest Service estimates the tree to be over 1,000 years old, while other recent estimates place it nearer to 2,000 years old. Also known as Bishop Oak and Lamar Oak, the “Big Tree” is a charter member (#16) of the Live Oak Society and has been the subject of one of Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” cartoons. The “Big Tree” is possibly the oldest extant live oak in the world. It possesses a circumference of over 35 feet and is more than 45 feet tall, while the crown’s spread is 90 feet.

“Record” or “champion” trees are determined by a cumulative measure of their girth, their spread, and their height, however, the near-continuous Gulf breeze limits the height of the “Big Tree”; therefore, there exist many other live oak specimens that are actually taller, but once girth is factored in, that measure makes the “Big Tree” the second-largest live oak in Texas.

The “Big Tree” statistics:

Trunk circumference: 35 feet 1.75 inches or 10.71 meters
Average trunk diameter: 11 feet 2.25 inches or 3.41 meters
Crown spread: 89 feet or 27.1 meters
Height: 44 feet or 13.4 meters
Age: Exact age is unknown – but it is centuries old.

Here is what some of its many visitors have had to say about it:

Google review of The Big Tree by John T. Ferguson ★★★★★ “This is the one of the biggest trees in texas. So it’s really big. it’s really nice to look at. There are whooping cranes around in the area if you’re interested in that. The only thing that I would ding them on is there’s no restroom.”

https://goo.gl/maps/RRuyeVouNPYkDuDw6

Google review of The Big Tree by Shirley Roberg ★★★★★ “This was an amazing must see! Pictures and words alone won’t do the trick”

Who we are

In addition to providing information about the local area.

Overall, the RockportFulton.com website is an excellent resource for anyone planning a trip to Rockport and Fulton, or for those who simply want to learn more about these charming coastal towns.

Here are some additional links to help you explore the area

Thank you for visiting our page: Check out our new shop:

Key Allegro Island in Rockport Texas Large High Resolution Canvas Gallery Wrap

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Rockport Beach Park Large Print Canvas Gallery Wrap

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Sunfish Sailing in the Rockport Texas Harbor Canvas Gallery Wrap

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We are RockportFulton.com your personal guide to everything in the beautiful Aransas County of Texas and we have a lot for you! Be sure to visit our Home Page, where there will be lots more information available on all things local including events going on now or coming soon that might pique your interest as well as fun facts about this area’s rich history, and things to explore.

Visit our website and plan your next trip down south!!!

#BigTree #historicsites #Lamartexas

North Cove Harbor Wetlands

RockportFulton
Feb 9, 2021
2 min read

Looking for a place to enjoy nature?

North Cove Harbor Wetland Sanctuary and boardwalk is the perfect place to go.

The Sanctuary is a special place that should not be missed. This sanctuary is home to many different species of birds, fish, and mammals all year long! The 100-acre wetland has an 800-foot boardwalk with covered areas at the end for you to sit back and enjoy nature’s beauty while taking in what’s around you.

North Cove Harbor Wetlands

During winter, the site offers visitors great views. It becomes even more beautiful when transitioning from summer into fall. During the winter months, you can find Tri-colored Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Brown Pelicans, and more just waiting for your glance. Depending on the rains you may even see an occasional blue crab looking for some baitfish.

We found a great site showing the different birds found around the boardwalk.

Birds of Aransas County – PhotoSpydie Rockport is located just across a narrow bay from Padre Island on the Gulf Coast in southern Texas. This whole area is appreciated by birders for its huge numbers of birds supported year round and being a stopping point for thousand of migrating birds in spring and fall. Steve (S.

http://www.photospydie.com/photo-trips/2019/2/26/birds-of-aransas-county

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If you want to experience this beautiful sanctuary yourself below we have provided the map directions to get you there.

Here is s map of how to get to the viewing area:

@27.9968847,-97.0727392,197m Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

Map to the Cove Harbor Wetlands and Boardwalk viewing area

You can find out more about the site by going to Aransas First by clicking on the website found below:

Texas Land Trust located in Aransas County – Aransas First Identify, acquire, and protect sensitive Coastal Bend Habitat essential to the nurture of birds and other wildlife. To increase public awareness of ecosystems, unique to the area through education, access, and participation.

America First https://aransasfirst.org/

Of Course, there are lots of other things to see and do in the Aransas County / Rockport Fulton area. Visit our Main activities Page RockportFulton.com for more information on what to do and see next.

While at the North Cove Harbor Wetlands Sanctuary & Boardwalk you may get hungry and thirsty.

about 5 min away is a great restaurant called Paradise Keys Bar & Grill. They have some great food and nice cold drinks. On the Upper deck, you can enjoy views of Aransas Bay, the intercoastal canal, and the Viewing area boardwalk.

You can always see what’s going on at Rockport Beach Park on our live feed camera. Here it is:

Rockport Beach Park Live feed. https://rockportfulton.com/check-out-the-latest-rockport-beach-live-stream/

You can also see our latest Facebook Feed to see what’s going on around the area. [WD_FB id=”1″]

#ArialDronePhotography #Birdwatching #RockportFulton #parks #RockportTexas #sunrise #whitePelicans #AransasCounty #GreatBlueHerron

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