Two Orange County locations named on 20 Hidden Gems in Texas List

Published 9:49 am Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Two beautiful locations in Orange County were recognized as hidden gems in Texas  by Only In Your State website this month.
Claiborne West Park and Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center were named as six and seven on the list.
Claiborne West Park, 4105 North Street in Vidor, one of three county owned parks. The location is also a living memorial to Claiborne West.
The author of the list described Claiborne West Park as a place to immerse oneself into the tranquility of the forest and one of the best kept secrets in Southeast Texas. The list can be found at http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/texas/more-hidden-gems-tx/
“I am extremely happy and appreciative about the park being named on the list,” Orange County Parks Administrator Donna Scales said. “It is a tribute to the employees who work at the park and all their hard work to keep it beautiful.”
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, located on West Park Ave. in Orange, was described as beautiful botanical gardens are a must-see with a view a variety of different plant life in the gardens and animals native to the area.
Starks Cultural Venues Communications Manager Ellen Welker was thrilled Shangri La made the list.
“All the Starks Cultural Venues are hidden gems in Orange waiting for people to discover,” Welker said. “Shangri La, W.H. Stark House, Lutcher Theater, and the Stark Museum of Art are the best , best setting possible to experience beauty, nature, art and theater.”
Welker encourages residents and visitors to visit each of the Starks Cultural Venues.
“Visiting helps make memories for the rest of their lives,” Welker said.

20 Hidden Gems In Texas Most People Don’t Know Even Exist
1) Boca Chica Beach (Brownsville)
2) Blue Lagoon (Huntsville)
3) Marfa
4) San Felipe Springs (Del Rio)
5) Hueco Tanks State Park (El Paso)
6) Claiborne West Park (Vidor)
7) Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center (Orange)
8) Copper Breaks State Park (Quanah)
9) Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve (Austin)
10) Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge (Freeport)
11) Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge (Tyler)
12) Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Los Fresnos)
13) Palmetto State Park (Gonzales)
14) Blue Hole at Riding River Ranch (Leakey)
15) Lover’s Leap at Cameron Park (Waco)
16) Regency Suspension Bridge (Regency)
17) Pinto Canyon Road (between Ruidosa and Marfa)
18) Westcave Preserve (Round Mountain)
19) Galveston Island State Park (Galveston)
20) Cattail Falls Trail at Big Bend National Park
SOURCE: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/texas/more-hidden-gems-tx/