A lone fisherman had the waters to himself Thursday morning at Tradinghouse Lake, not more than a 20-minute drive east from downtown. Bass patrolled the shoals for insects as a sandpiper marched through the shallows searching for breakfast.
On the south shore is Tradinghouse Lake Park, the only park owned and operated by McLennan County. The facilities are modest, just a handful of shaded picnic benches overlooking the shore, but county officials have a plan to transform the 200-acre plot into a hub for recreation, camping and scenic walks along the water’s edge.
Key to that plan is a $550,000 federal grant administered through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and matched by the county for a total of $1.1 million in park upgrades. The county submitted the grant in early August and expects the awards announced in spring.
The grant application outlines the kind of amenities county commissioners have in mind. There are two new volleyball courts, four RV pads with hookups, additional picnic tables and barbecue grills, in addition to two walking trails peppered with benches and solar lighting. An accessible play structure featuring a wheelchair lift is planned near the park’s entrance.
If funds are awarded, construction would begin sometime in 2028.
D.L. Wilson, Precinct 2 county commissioner, walked the park grounds Thursday morning while explaining the scope of the project. He credits his predecessor, the late Precinct 2 Commissioner Patricia Chisolm-Miller, with kickstarting the discussion on updating Tradinghouse Lake Park. Wilson said he is also emotionally invested in realizing the vision.
“I want to continue in those footsteps because this lake is my home,” he said.
Wilson grew up nearby, and his father helped construct the reservoir in 1967 as a contractor for Texas Power & Light, which built it as a cooling lake for a gas-fired power plant. He recalled how discharge from the Tradinghouse Power Plant used to keep the lake warm enough to swim in December.
The power company, later renamed Luminant, leased the park site to the county starting in 1969. It deeded the land to the county in 2018, four years after it tore down the obsolete plant. The park got a $350,000 upgrade in 2020 through a state parks grant.
“This is for all of McLennan County,” Wilson said. “I just don’t think people know about the park, but once we get everything finished, it will be great for families to enjoy this beautiful scenery. … It’s just a hop, skip and a jump from Waco.”
A collaboration between the county and Hallsburg, a small town abutting the property, will repair and upgrade roads leading up the park and boat ramp, he added.
The Tradinghouse Lake Park might be joined by other county-run parks in the future. The McLennan County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan published last year listed “land acquisition” for county park sites as a priority.
A resident survey attached to the master plan showed nearly universal support for additional outdoor amenities. Ninety-five percent of respondents said they would support the use of county funds to develop more parks and recreational facilities.
Tullis, who helped author the master plan and has announced plans to run for county judge, said the best way for residents to see action on parks is to identify specific places where one is needed during county meetings. “It really helps if the public is the one who comes to the meeting and says, ‘Hey, we want something here.’ ”
