Roberts Point Park offers family fun

Brown pelicans, once on the endangered species list, have made a comeback. They can be seen gliding the wind currents of the ship channel as if to welcome visitors arriving on the ferries. Roberts Point Park, positioned alongside the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, is one of the first sights that greet visitors when they arrive in Port Aransas by ferry.

The city's bayside, multi-purpose park facility was jointly developed by civic volunteers (Port Aransas Action Force) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Volunteers supplied the labor and TPWD provided major funding in the 1980s to build the park.

Known during the summer months as the home of the popular Sunset Sounds concert series, the Patsy Jones amphitheater overlooks the ship channel and provides a great view of passing ships as well as the ferries that transport passengers to and from Port Aransas via Aransas Pass.

The park features a large pavilion for special events such as sailboat regattas and other occasions. It is named after the late fishing enthusiast Fred Rhodes, and offers welcome shade for spectators at fishing tournament weigh-ins and provides a stage for performances, awards presentations and picnics during festivals.

Anglers cast their lines at sunset from the J.P. Luby Pier in Roberts Point Park. The park is a favorite fishing spot, whether from the granite jetties that mark the harbor, the lighted J.P. Luby Fishing Pier or the bulkheads that surround the park to prevent erosion by water in the ship channel.

It's also a great place for soccer players, boat enthusiasts and even dolpin watchers to pass the time in Port Aransas.

The bulkhead lined perimeter of the park doubles as a jogging trail, and the paved walk along the bulkhead was recently completely redone.

Roberts Point Park has new bathrooms and other improvements the City of Port Aransas has made recently.

The Tom and Corabelle Keeler observation tower provides an excellent spot for watching ship traffic and the dolphins frolicking in the ship channel as they lead the ships in and out of the channel -- watch for them at the water line at the bow (front) of the ships.

Also in the park, a picnic pavilion offers shaded tables adjacent to shuffleboard lanes and a bocce court (equipment can be rented for a refundable deposit at the nearby harbormaster's office). There's a special space for horseshoes, a basketball slab and plenty of space for playing volleyball, baseball or running races.

The nearby playground with equipment is a favorite spot for children.

Roberts Point Park is to the left as you exit the ferry ramps in Port Aransas.