SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo State Park gives people a chance to escape, and to enjoy the outdoors. It gives people solitude and a chance to get away from the sounds of the city, and for some, it’s only a 10-minute drive.
Park regular and volunteer John Talley spends almost every day at the park. He takes full advantage of the trails, but also takes advantage of the little things the park has to offer.
"It is being able enable just get out there and the solitude it gives you in the middle of nowhere," Talley said.
The solitude Talley enjoys is something as a volunteer he enjoys sharing with everyone. When recent storms swept across West Texas many things at the park were destroyed.
It left the trials Talley enjoys full of debris, and destroyed the bird-watching house many park visitors enjoy as well.
However, San Angelo State Park Superintendent Jim Cisneros said they had emergency funds to be able to repair most of the buildings destroyed.
"The cost of the roof was over one hundred thousand dollars because of metal roofs," Cisneros said. "We haven't had a really good turn in the cost of the bird house."
Cisneros ensures everything is being repaired, and the park will be fully restored, but the areas damaged are still closed off to the public. When the park was asking for help clean up the park during that time, Talley was one of the first people to hit the ground running.
Talley wanted to be one of the first people, because he wants people to enjoy the park he calls a second home.
"I enjoy maintaining the trail system, mowing the trails and trimming the bushes," Talley said. "Bring your family or just come out by yourself and discover it and you really enjoy it."
Cisneros did park visitors to be sure to wear a mask whenever at a public area, but if you are on a trail you are not required to wear a mask.
Talley and Cisneros remind everyone to always take care of the park, so people can continue to enjoy for years to come.