Creating a water-focused, community gathering space

The Watershed Association recently acquired the Oaks at Blue Hole, the gateway to Blue Hole Regional Park.

For over 30 years, The Watershed Association has protected watersheds across the Hill Country. Through its impact areas, it has served as a leader in creating water-focused public policy, conservation and environmental education. It also led in a movement that established over 30,000 acres of parkland and preserves.

“This new project is an exciting opportunity for The Watershed Association to reflect the community’s values of land and water stewardship and nature- based education,” said Parc Smith, board president for The Watershed Association. “The project will also serve to showcase and expand our newest program, Art4Water … to engage artists as storytellers to help us to more fully understand our connection to water.”

“In the coming year, the Watershed Association will begin a master planning process and capital campaign to reimagine the environmentally sensitive area as the gateway to Blue Hole,” said David Baker, Executive Director of The Watershed Association.

The project will incorporate community gathering spaces that will function as a hub for environmental education, artistic expression, gardens and shared contemplative spaces to experience nature. The project will also be a model for One Water design, an integrated approach to water management that involves rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, stormwater, greywater and wastewater reuse.

Current tenants of the Oaks will remain in place as planning takes place over the next year.

The Watershed Association said it will provide future opportunities for community input.