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 general 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
Trash Bash Weekend
Trash Bash Weekend
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 park and camp for free.
Trash Bash Weekend
Trash Bash Weekend
Trash Bash Weekend
Clean up the beautiful Frio River on the Saturday following Labor Day weekend on our annual Trash Bash Day. Participants park and camp for free.
Hayrides
Trash Bash Weekend
Holiday Open House
Ride the hay, hear delightful stories and have refreshments on our hayride during spring break and through the summer.
Holiday Open House
Other Events Through the Year
Holiday Open House
Start your holiday memories at the Visitor Center open house each November. We have cookies and crafts for the kids.
Easter Bunny Hop
Other Events Through the Year
Other Events Through the Year
Watch for Easter Bunny hopping through the park, passing out candy to the kids. Later at the Visitor Center, photo opportunities will be available.
Other Events Through the Year
Other Events Through the Year
Other Events Through the Year
...such as star gazing parties, nature walks, and the polar bear plunge on New Year's Day
Accomplishments
Your donations and $25 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:
- Park and interpretive information, books, t-shirts, and gifts at the Visitor Center
- Monthly funds for interpretive programs
- Summer hayrides
- Christmas Open House
- Easter Bunny program
- Trail workdays
- Highway Cleanup several times a year
- River, hike trail, day use, and campground cleanup
- Volleyball and basketball netting
- Trail guides
- Dance instruction
- Wi-Fi Internet at the Visitor Center (SSID FOGVC) and Shady Meadows (SSID FOG3)
For future generations:
Please let us know what Friends of Garner can do for your Garner State Park. Drop us a comment in the Contact Us section of the home page or call us at 830-232-5999 during Visitor Center Hours. We would love to hear and act on your suggestions and comments.
Service projects
Highway Clean-up
Friends of Garner performs trash pick-up on a two-mile stretch of US83 on the west boundary of the park. We try to do it four times a year. Contact the Visitor Center at 830-232-5999 for more information.
Meetings
About monthly Friends of Garner meetings
Our board meets once a month to do business, usually on the second Wednesday of the month at 5pm. Exceptions are made for Trail Work Weekend and facility scheduling conflicts.
Meetings are open to everyone, and you are also welcomed to visit online when available. Please contact members of the board to receive an invitation for online attendance. Onsite visitors should meet with one of the board members before speaking at a board meeting.
Meetings take place at the Shady Meadows Group Day Shelter. Meetings may be cancelled or relocated due to unforeseen circumstances, Covid-19, lack of Internet service, or lack of a quorum. Call the Visitor Center, FOG Secretary, or look for notices on at the Visitor Center.
2023 meetings are as follows:
- January 20, 2023 (Friday, Trail Work Weekend)
- February 8, 2023
- March 15, 2023 (3rd Wednesday, Spring Break Week)
- April 12, 2023
- May 10, 2023
- June 14, 2023
- July 12, 2023
- August 9, 2023
- September 13, 2023
- October 11, 2023
- November 8, 2023
- December 13, 2023
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, Terry Berkstresser of Leakey, TX (elected even years) position available.
- Member-at-Large #1, Otto Armin of Uvalde, TX (elected even years) position available.
- Member-at-Large #2, Johnnie Jackson of Leakey, TX (elected odd years)
- Member-at-Large #3, Charmaine Davis of Von Ormy, TX (elected even years)
- Member-at-Large #4, Robert Adams of Lumberton, TX (elected odd years) position available
- Member-at-Large #5, Elaine Tyler of Hitchcock, TX (elected even years)
- Member-at-Large #6, Debbie Jackson of Leakey, TX (elected odd years) position available
- Garner State Park Superintendent, Kelby Bridwell of Concan, TX (nonvoting member)
Additional People
- F. O. G. Visitor Center Manager, Susan Hopkins
- Adopt-a-Highway, coordinator position open
- Night Skies, Terry Berkstresser
- Membership, Robert Adams, position open
- “Friends Focus” Newsletter, position open
- Webmaster, position open
- Social media, Charmaine Davis
- Memorial Brick Project, Polly Royer
- Hayrides, coordinator position open
- Vending Machines, positions open
- River Quality, position open
- Recycling, coordinator position open
- TPWD Assistant Superintendent Operations, Aaron Johnston
- TPWD Assistant Superintendent Admin, Erin Turner
- TPWD Interpretive Ranger, Jacob Gonzalez
Contacting people
The above people or their stand-ins can be reached by calling the Visitor Center at 830-232-5999 or 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.
2022 Ad SPONSORS
Our local businesses
We want to thank our 2022 sponsors and welcome our 2023 sponsors.
Contact us if you want your business to appear on the Garner map in 2023 as we still have a few spots open. Time is running out. Printing is taking place in early December to provide visitors a map of Garner State Park showing where the campsites and other facilities are at the park. Call us at 830-232-5999.
Learn More
We place ads on the back of Garner Park's campsite map.