234 Ranch Road 1050, Concan, TX 78838, US
About Friends of Garner
Who We Are
Friends of Garner is a not-for-profit organization that works exclusively in support of the preservation and enhancement of Garner State Park. Incorporated in March of 2001, FOG is supported primarily by membership dues and donations. Membership dues and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Our Slogan
We help sustain & improve Garner Park for all generations.
Our Goals
Serve as an information resource for Garner State Park visitors.
Raise and provide funds for preserving and enhancing Garner.
Capture and preserve the history and achievements of the Civilian Conservation Corp at Garner, the rich dance and music culture of the park, and the family traditions of visitors to Garner.
Provide a voice for users of Garner on park matters of shared concerns.
Educate visitors, legislators, and the public about Garner.
FOG History
How did Friends of Garner come about?
A group of local volunteers wanted to and did make improvements here and there about Garner. In 2000 after doing years of trail revival, trash cleanup, fund raising, and other things, the state asked the group to become a friends group. In March of 2001, the organization was incorporated and in May of 2001 received its IRS 501(c)3 status.
YEARLY EVENTS
Trail Workdays
Revive our hiking trails every Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Fun for the whole family and help the park by removing trash and trimming branches. Participants may park and camp for free.
River Clean Up Weekend
Clean up the beautiful Frio River from the 1050 bridge to the 350 bridge, Trash Bash Day. Participants may park and camp for free.
Hayrides
Easter Bunny Hop
Ride the hay, hear delightful stories and have refreshments on our hayride during spring break and through the summer.
Easter Bunny Hop
Other Events Through the Year
Easter Bunny Hop
Watch for Easter Bunny hopping through the park (Saturday before Easter Sunday), passing out candy to the kids. Later at the Visitor Center, photo opportunities will be available.
Holiday Open House
Other Events Through the Year
Other Events Through the Year
Start your holiday memories at the Visitor Center open house the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We have homemade cookies and crafts for the kids.
Other Events Through the Year
Other Events Through the Year
Other Events Through the Year
...such as Trail Clean Up (picture) and River Clean Up. Anyone can volunteer at any of the clean ups. Just keep looking at the website for more information.
Accomplishments
Your donations and $35 annual membership is used to improve and equip Garner State Park.
In the past, Friends of Garner has purchased:
- A night gate for the park
- A Kubota tractor
- An 18-foot shredder mower
- Multiple ATV "mules" for staff and volunteers
- Playground Equipment at the Visitor Center
- Half of the park's fire rings
- $27,000 for signage improvements
- Two 500# ice machines
- Built, installed, and maintain Bird Blind
- Provide Wi-Fi access points at the Visitor Center and Cowboy Theater
- Installed handicapped trail at the Visitor Center
- Purchased John Deer tractor and trailer for hayrides
- Purchased computers for use at Headquarters
- Purchased computer and projector for interpretive ranger
- Purchased and installed benches at Visitor Center and playground
- Purchased trailers for aluminum can recycling
- Contracted foundation repair of Pavilion dance floor
- Purchased and maintain volleyball courts
- Purchased a 4-wheeler for beach patrol law enforcement
- Purchased a gooseneck trailer for park
- Purchased a telescope for Star Gazing programs
- Purchased half of the lantern post in the park
Friends of Garner also provides:
- Monthly funds for interpretive programs
- Summer hayrides (Volunteers needed)
- Christmas Open House (Saturday after Thanksgiving)
- Easter Bunny program (Saturday before Easter)
- Trail workdays (Martin Luther King Weekend)
- River Clean Up (2nd Weekend after Labor Day)
- Highway Cleanup (Volunteer Needed)
- Volleyball and basketball netting
- Trail guides
For future generations:
Friends of Garner is always listening. If you have suggestions or ideas to support Garner State Park, please leave us a message in the Contact Us section on our homepage—we’re grateful for your input.
Service projects
Highway Clean-up
Friends of Garner performs trash pickup on a two-mile stretch of US 83 on the west boundary of the park. We try to do it four times a year. For more information, please use the Contact us page or email cdavis@friendsofgarner.org
Meetings
About Friends of Garner meetings
The Board of Directors meets five times per year, typically on the second Wednesday of every other month. Exceptions may occur due to Trail Work Weekend or facility scheduling conflicts.
Board meetings are open to the public. When available, virtual attendance is also offered. Individuals wishing to attend online should contact a board member in advance to request an invitation. Guests attending in person are asked to check in with a board member prior to addressing the Board.
Meetings are held at the Visitor Center and may be cancelled, postponed, or relocated due to unforeseen circumstances, including public health considerations, internet service outages, or the absence of a quorum. Please refer below for the most current meeting dates and times.
2026 meetings:
1. January 16, 2026, Annual Meeting, 5 p.m., Garner State Park Visitor Center.
2. March 11, 2026, Business Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Garner State Park Visitor Center.
3. May 13, 2026, Summer Planning/Coordinating Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Garner State Park Visitor Center.
4. August 12, 2026, Fall Planning Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Garner State Park Visitor Center.
5. October 14, 2026, Winter/Spring Planning Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Garner State Park Visitors Center.
2025 Ad SPONSORS
Our local businesses
We want to thank our 2024 sponsors and welcome our 2025 sponsors.
Contact us if you want your business to appear on the Garner map in 2026. Please email:
Learn More
All visitors receive a Park Map with these advertisements on the back
Our PEOPLE
Our Friends of Garner Board
- President, Scott Davis of Von Ormy, TX (elected odd years)
- Vice President, Ed Mack of Leakey, TX (elected even years)
- Secretary, MaryAnn Laughlin Abbott of Hondo, TX (elected odd years)
- Treasurer (acting), Terry Berkstresser of Leakey, TX (elected even years)
- Member-at-Large #1, Robert Adams of Lumberton, TX (elected even years)
- Member-at-Large #2, Myles Hopkins of Rio Frio, TX (elected odd years)
- Member-at-Large #3, Charmaine Davis of Von Ormy, TX (elected even years)
- Member-at-Large #4, Renay Muniz of Three Rivers, TX (elected odd years)
- Member-at-Large #5, Elaine Tyler of Hitchcock, TX (elected even years)
- Member-at-Large #6, Terry Berkstresser of Leakey, TX (elected odd years)
- Garner State Park Superintendent, Kelby Bridwell of Concan, TX (non-voting member)
Additional People
- F. O. G. Visitor Center Manager, position closed
- Adopt-a-Highway, coordinator position open
- Night Skies, Terry Berkstresser
- Membership, Robert Adams
- “Friends Focus” Newsletter, position open.
- Webmaster, Charmaine Davis
- Social media, Charmaine Davis
- Memorial Brick Project, Charmaine Davis
- Hayrides, coordinator position open
- River Quality, position open
- Recycling, coordinator position open
- TPWD Assistant Superintendent Operations, Robert White
- TPWD Assistant Superintendent Admin, Ayla Truan
- TPWD Interpretive Ranger, Jacob Resendiz
Contacting people
The above people or their stand-ins can be reached by via the Contact Us form on the home page. Please note who you are trying to reach in your email, and we will forward it.
TPWD park employees can be reached at 830-232-6132.
Friends of Garner
Coming events:
FOG Board Meeting Jan 16, 2026
Meteor showers and dark skies in January
Trail Work Weekend - Jan 17-18 (MLK weekend)