Nostalgic revival: New owners transform Eastland’s riverfront park

EASTLAND, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – With the summer season now underway, plenty of families are making plans for vacations and travel, but if you don’t want to travel far or incur a lot of expense, there are plenty of hidden gems right here in the Big Country offering a unique change of pace. One of those places is Inez Spring Riverfront Park in Eastland, and amongst a thicket of tall oak trees, this spot where Leon Creek runs through allows visitors an experience that harkens back to the good old days.

Inez Spring Riverfront Park is now under new management, with owners Jason and Erica Bates looking to enhance the property while preserving its down-home charm. Co-owner Erica Bates outlined some of the new changes coming to the property.

“It was really just putting the cherry on top of what was already built here. What we’re adding is the showers and laundry, which is important to campers, especially those long-term campers. We did convert the 5,000 square foot home that was on the property to an Airbnb,” she said.

Also included in the expansion is a new tent and RV campground, which will be available to guests within the week. Co-owner Jason Bates expanded on how their goal for the property is to continue to provide loyal and new guests with an experience that is reminiscent of a classic family camping vacation for a new generation.

“Welcome to your 24-acre playground, because whether you’re five or 55, we give you permission to play here,” Jason said. “When you drive through those gates, you have that nostalgic feeling of, okay, I’ve been here before, even if I haven’t been here. Because we remember what that felt like when we were kids with our parents and our grandparents.”

The unique aspects visitors can expect from this cozy little property include hiking trails, fishing, kayaking in Leon Creek, extended overnight camping, and a 250,000-gallon pool fed by a naturally occurring spring on the property. Co-owner Erica Bates shared a personal philosophy that led the couple to decide to purchase this local slice of classic Americana.

“We are all connected to screens a lot in our lives. I remember growing up camping myself. Jason also grew up camping and getting away from that and getting that family time, and that’s something that we were looking for in our investment was a place that families can gather and get away from the busyness of social life,” Erica expressed.

Visit the Inez Spring Riverfront Park website to learn more about what this place has to offer.