MINEOLA, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video aired Feb. 1, 2024.
The Mineola City Council voted Monday to revise its plans for the Mineola Nature Preserve in the days surrounding the total solar eclipse in April.
During its regular meeting, the council voted 5 to 1 to keep the nature preserve, which is located 1860 County Road 2724, open the Saturday and Sunday before the April 8 eclipse.
The preserve was originally going to be closed from April 6 through 8 due to concerns about the amount of people coming into East Texas towns, where the path of totality and some of the best views are expected.
Last month, the Mineola City Council voted to not host eclipse-related events, saying that extra events on top of increased traffic would strain the city's resources.
At Monday's meeting, park board members said there's a RV rally happening that weekend and it brings a lot of money to the city. They want the preserve to be open so that people will want to come back.
Despite being open Saturday and Sunday, the preserve will remain closed Monday. One city councilperson voted in favor of the preserve staying open the day of the eclipse.