Family rejects $100M for their land and opts to do something amazing for the public good instead

Ronnie and Terry Urbanczyk ‘lost’ over $100 million by turning their 245-acre ranch in Hill Country into a public park instead of expanding it.

The Texas family’s decision to sell their land to Texas Parks and Wildlife benefits local wildlife despite potentially costing them millions of dollars.

The couple purchased a ranch and 245 acres of land in Hill Country three decades ago, near the Honey Creek State Natural Area, known for its clean water, according to Newsweek.

They gradually added to the property over the years, amassing some 750 acres and later considered building more homes on their 515-acre ranch to benefit from the growing Hill Country population, potentially leaving their children a significant inheritance of $125 million.

However, neighbors were concerned that building more homes near the Honey Creek State Natural Area could damage its fragile ecosystem and disrupt the clean water.

Moreover, this area is considered one of the last untouched places in Texas.

“So, we brought them into the equation, and said, ‘Hey, what do y’all think?’ Because it was a huge financial ask of them also,” Ronnie explained. ”

And it was wonderful because they all sat down and said, ‘Dad, if it could be a park we could drive by and see the rest of our lives, and our grandkids lives, let’s make it a park.”

After years of planning, Texas Parks and Wildlife announced in June 2023 that they would buy the Urbanczyks’ 515-acre ranch for $25 million to preserve the land.

“Together with the adjacent Guadalupe River State Park, these protected lands encompass nearly 5,000 acres of habitat that sustain plants and wildlife, benefit water quality, and provide opportunities for people to spend time in nature,” said Rodney Franklin, Texas State Parks director.

The department wants to open the land to the public in the future.

Terry said that they were unaware that they could turn the area into a public park.

“We were not aware that making it a park would be a possibility unless you just donate the land, which we couldn’t do,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ronnie mentioned that the land holds many memories for their family.

“And now the people in Texas are going to get to really enjoy it for the next thousand years,” he said, adding that they have a beautiful retirement spot overlooking the state’s natural area, which comforts them in knowing it will remain unchanged.

Before deciding to sell to Texas Parks and Wildlife, Ronnie gathered with his nine grandchildren, whom he fondly calls his “board of directors.”

He asked them what are their thoughts about turning Honey Creek into a public park.

They all cheered, saying, “Yes! Let’s do it!”

Honey Creek’s pristine stream water, cypress trees, and protected species will be preserved for future generations.

Ronnie, who owns a concrete business, said they’ve made many wonderful memories there.

Now, Texans will enjoy it for centuries.

Terry said the deal and plans for their beloved land made her feel much better, Texas Monthly noted.

Honey Creek’s cave systems host at-risk animals such as golden-cheeked warblers, black-capped vireos, Comal blind salamanders, and various invertebrates.

The land will be publicly accessible and may host events, providing a beautiful setting for gatherings.

Local experts will manage and protect the ecosystem from harmful construction.

Annalisa Peace of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance expressed gratitude to the Urbanczyk family for their decision.

The Urbanczyks encourage other landowners in the same situation to seek help from the Nature Conservancy and the state parks department to protect sensitive ecosystems.

Ronnie advises them to explore their options with these organizations, noting their creativity in finding solutions.

In recent years, money for preserving land in Texas has increased a lot.

The Nature Conservancy, a wealthy nonprofit, has contributed to this.

Also, the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020 made hundreds of millions of federal dollars available each year to state park departments for buying land.

And last summer, the Texas Legislature allowed the state to set aside $1 billion for getting new land for state parks.

The Urbanczyks understand that conserving land is mostly about safeguarding natural areas for the next generations.

Terry noticed that their kids weren’t keen on the idea of turning their childhood home into a housing area.

When she mentioned the possibility of making the ranch into a park, she felt “a big shift in attitude.”

Terry had to remind them that this decision meant giving up a lot of money. Their response was, “How much money does someone really need?”

Watch the Urbanczyk family and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department talk about how they turned Honey Creek into a park: