EUSTACE -- Three basic principles guide the operation of Purtis Creek State Park, and they are helping to make it an increasingly popular tourist attraction, according to the park's management. Superintendent Mendy Davis said the 1582-acre park attracted 62,000 visitors last year who wanted to immerse themselves in an outdoor experience. "We have a wonderful, natural environment," Davis told the Cedar Creek Lake Area of Chamber of Commerce recently during a presentation. "We are passionate about natural resources." The three principles guiding the operation are passion, conservation and public service, Davis said. Davis said the 25-year-old park benefited the Cedar Creek Lake area in the estimated amount of $825,000 that tourists spent in hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Zip code information revealed that 85 percent of the park's visitors came from outside of the immediate area, she said. The park's traffic has doubled in the past 10 years, and entrance and camping fees generated $275,000, Davis said. That income fell just $85,000 short of the park paying for itself, she said. The goal is for the park to eventually pay for its own operation while expanding its facilities and programs, Davis said. Davis urged local community leaders to help the park grow by visiting it, recommending others visit it and supporting it by volunteering for or sponsoring events held at the park. The park recently sponsored a fishing day for kids on its lake. That event attracted about 500 children. "It was a hoot," Davis said. "We had so much fun." Davis also asked area leaders to let their state representative know how important the park is to them. The park was acquired from private owners in 1977 by the state, and it opened as a state park in 1988. It is in Henderson and Van Zandt counties near Eustace. It is an area where the Wichita and Caddo Indians once fished, hunted and roamed, according to park literature. A road on the south border of the park at the entrance was a stage coach route from East Texas to the Trinity River. Along the route near the Neches River is the site where the Battle of the Neches took place in 1839. Cherokee Indian Chief Boles was slain there. The park is at 14225 FM 316 N, Eustace, TX 75124. Call 903-425-2332. For information about Purtis Creek State Park and other state parks visit: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us