Texas Parks and Wildlife officials on Tuesday night presented the first glimpse at a plan for the former Lost Pines Golf Club, which stood at the entrance to Bastrop State Park for the better part of a century.

Nearly a hundred people, including athletes and elected officials, attended the meeting in the historic state park refectory and shared feedback on the plan, which calls for an amphitheater, nature center and miles of hike and bike trails.

"This is a historical gem," Texas Parks and Wildlife parks planner Matt Fougerat said of the 135-acre space that has stood dormant almost two years. "We have to respect that, and our plans have to show that."

In the proposed plan, much of the land that flanks the entrance to the state park would be reserved for daily visitors, who are now squeezed in with campers and overnight guests on its eastern end. An informal playfield would stretch through the center, surrounded by natural playscapes, an educational museum and an amphitheater that could run outdoor programs and astronomy courses.

But the backbone of the plan would be its new trail system, including 3 miles of hike-and-bike trails, a 1.5-mile educational trail, a quarter-mile hike-only trail and a 1-mile, city-proposed trail that would connect the state park to sidewalks on Chestnut Street.

"There is a real need for trails in this town," resident and cyclist Dave Bellante said Tuesday night about the concept. "We need to be able to get around, and we need to be able to get around safe. And it’s hard to do here. It would be really awesome if I could put my two kids in my trailer, ride my bike up the trail into the park, ride around on these trails here, go swimming and go home … I think the numbers show that there are a lot of people like me out here."

In the city of Bastrop’s 2015 master parks plan, about 90 percent of respondents said they wanted more outdoor programming and hike-and-bike trails. The state parks department referenced the document as it made plans for the former golf course. Staff also spoke with experts to ensure that plans would be dark-sky compliant, make use of sustainable materials like solar and rainwater harvesting and respect the topography of the land and historic intent of the state park.

While many residents voiced support for the natural concept and its adherence to the tradition of the park system. Others, namely golfers, still hoped to see at least a 9-hole course restored where the former 18-hole course had stood.

Built in the 1930s alongside Bastrop State Park, the Lost Pines Golf Club had been a beloved attraction in the Bastrop community for nearly 80 years. It operated at the head of the state park until January 2015, when it was forced to close amid financial struggles, due in large part to competition from private courses. Years of drought, a devastating wildfire and persistent irrigation problems added pressure to the golf club that was already in dire straits.

For two years now, weeds and grasses have grown high over the course’s once-vibrant putting greens.

"When I came in the gates this time, when I came by, coming in the park was just drab," long-time resident Tommy Claiborne said. "It just didn’t have the feeling that it’s always had whenever the golf course was there. You see that green over there, there were greens, there was life … I would suggest let’s look at another plan for revitalizing the golf course. There’s a way to do it. You don’t have to destroy everything."

Gilbert Cervantes, who has continued to advocate for a golf course at the state park, pleaded with officials to search out grants or other funding to keep the course alive. Many others shared stories about how it had helped them or their loved ones go to college on golf scholarships.

But Brent Leisure, director of state parks, said the department had turned over every rock looking for money to save the golf course, including putting out two nationwide searches for a new operator, both times coming up empty.

"We don’t have sufficient funding in the park system to pay for the $1 million or $2 million or more that it will cost to restore this golf course," Leisure said. "We don’t have it."

The Parks Department would not put a cost estimate on the plan as proposed, though it said it would be significantly cheaper than running a golf course. Leisure said financial figures would come when ideas are finalized.

Other residents Tuesday night suggested adding a disc golf course, which they said could be safely interwoven with the hike-and-bike trails. Bastrop City Council Member Deborah Jones volunteered a "pitch and putt" with nine holes, like in Austin, with an off-leash dog park.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be accepting ideas from the public through Sept. 1, and it plans to hold a second workshop in October before finalizing a plan.

"We have something very special in our community," Leisure said. "The best way to support your parks is to use them. If we can determine what are the best activities, the most appropriate activities that are compatible with the resources, and perhaps more than anything people use them, then it’s a win-win-win. This community will benefit economically and the quality of life will flourish."