Mitchell Park

[oldfatman]

While messing around on Google maps for the near future trip to Palo Duro Canyon, I came across Mitchell Park as a "green" spot on the maps.  It is north of Caprock Canyons SP and east of Palo Duro SP and in Briscoe county.  To my surprise there is virtually nothing on the internet and nothing in BBC.  Does anybody have any idea what that big chunk of land is about?

[jeffblaylock]

Probably a public hunting area.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

While messing around on Google maps for the near future trip to Palo Duro Canyon, I came across Mitchell Park as a "green" spot on the maps.  It is north of Caprock Canyons SP and east of Palo Duro SP and in Briscoe county.  To my surprise there is virtually nothing on the internet and nothing in BBC.  Does anybody have any idea what that big chunk of land is about?

I took a look at it on the topo map.  According to the map, Mitchell Park is located SSE of Cactus Park.  I don't know what is meant by the term "park" on the map, so I can't really comment.  This Mitchell Park area is definitely in the Palo Duro Canyon.  It looks like part of the boundry is the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River.

I found this post on another site.  It is a great read.  According to the article posted on this other site, there was at one time an effort to create a huge national park or national monument of the Palo Duro Canyon.  I wonder if the designations of "Mitchell Park" and "Cactus Park" on the topo map might have something to do with this past effort. 

Based on what I've seen so far, I don't believe Mitchell Park is actually a park.  I believe this area is definitely owned and private.  But, I do wonder if we will someday see the Palo Duro Canyon as one large state park.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

I looked up the word "park."  One of the definitions I found says this, "n. A broad, fairly level valley between mountain ranges: the high parks of the Rocky Mountains."

Mitchell Park does not lie between mountain ranges, but it does lie between Mitchell Peak to the north and Indian Peak to the south.  Perhaps that is why it is called Mitchell Park on the topo map.  And, perhaps Google Maps just has it wrong. 

[RichardM]

Google Maps shows Mitchell Park's boundaries to be a bit away from the river. Definitely looks like it's in the canyon. Didn't see a "Cactus Park" on the Google maps. Mitchell Park is listed as a "flat" on several mapping sites like Texas Landmarks - Briscoe County and cLocations.com

[Ay Chihuahua!]

I don't really have any faith in the Google map.  I may be mistaken, but I don't believe Mitchell Park is a park as we typically use the word.  And, if that's the case, then this "park" wouldn't necessarily have distinct boundaries.  I thought I saw a map (not Google) that seemed to have this area listed as adjoining the river.  The problem is I can't find that map now.  You are probably right though.  If you look at Google Earth, you can definitely see a flat area that should be Mitchell Park and it doesn't seem to adjoin the river.

Check out the GE image below.  I've exported some waypoints from Mapsource to it in order to show you some of the place names from the topo map.

The article I posted about past efforts at making Palo Duro Canyon a NP and TPW's new acquisition has my interest sparked.  I've asked my wife, who works at the TX Lege, to find out what the long-term goals are with this area.  It would be nice to get some unpublished information.  Unfortunately, I think I already know what the goal is.

Sorry if I'm not making much sense.  I'm running on about 4 hrs of sleep and two pots of coffee.