Hays Parks Bond features four potential Wimberley projects
On the ballot this November, the $74 million Hays County Proposition A would potentially fund approximately 15 projects, including four in the Wimberley area.
There are five projects proposed in the Dripping Springs area, four in the San Marcos area and two in the Kyle and Buda region of various sizes and costs.
The projects were vetted by the Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Committee (POSAC) according to how well they meet goals to create new parks, trails, urban and open green spaces and to increase connectivity.
If the bond is approved, Hays County will attempt to negotiate agreements that determine which projects qualify to receive some bond funding; most projects would only be partially funded through the bond and were presented with alternative funding to complete the project cost.
The commissioners and judge cautiously gave the green light for this bond to go on the ballot, given the tough financial circumstances left by the COVID-19 pandemic. They felt it was best left up to the voters to decide whether to make this long term investment in Hays County.
The bond is projected not to increase property taxes considering projections of increased growth as well as opportunities for refinancing current debt at a much lower interest rate.
The projects in the Wimberley area include Coleman’s Canyon Expansion, Sentinel Peak Park, the Wimberley Nature Center and John Knox Ranch.
Coleman’s Canyon Expansion and Sentinel Park are both considered tier 1, open space projects, highly recommended to be funded at some level, should the bond pass.
The Wimberley Nature Center at Blue Hole Park and John Knox Ranch are both tier 1, urban park projects that are strongly recommended to be funded at some level.
Coleman’s Canyon Preserve is a 117 acre conserva tion and restoration project next to Jacob’s Well Natural Area. The project was submitted by the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association and has requested $2.6 million for the project.
The property contains significant karst features that recharge Jacob’s Well Spring including the iconic Wimberley Bat Cave and more than 100 acres of Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat. The expansion will allow for more connections to nearby open spaces and recreational opportunities.
The POSAC review committee wrote about the benefits, “Excellent opportunity to add to the jewel of Hays County Parks-Jacob’s Well Natural Area; unique opportunity for a long trail system; multiple benefits and partners; new camping access in the area.”
The Sentinel Peak Park and Preserve was submitted by Hays County and requests $10 million for land acquisition, facility design and construction. There is a potential for up to $6 million from the Texas Water Development Board Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
The property will mainly serve as a Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat preserve but Hays County wants to include limited public access and low-impact recreation as well. Passive recreation would include river access and river recreation as well as trail usage on preexisting trails.
The City of Wimberley submitted the Nature Center at Blue Hold Park, requesting $3.1 million for planning and facility design and construction.
The project will include a public nature center, indoor-outdoor classrooms for expanding their nature camp, a greenhouse, a theatre to showcase nature documentaries, prairie and wetland restoration areas and staff offces. There is no match at this time but the project received numerous letters of support from the Wimberley community.
The building would have rainwater collection systems for the greenhouse on approximately 7,000 square feet of covered spaces and 2.5 acres of outdoor space.
The John Knox Ranch Preserve was submitted by John Knox Ranch and the Hill Country Conservancy, requesting $2.5 million for conservation easement acquisition.
The John Knox Ranch is a summer camp and retreat center covering 300 acres of Texas Hill Country and Blue Hole Spring, also Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat.
Hays County invites voters to learn more about Proposition A — the 2020 Parks and Open Spaces Bond — on the ballot this year through their website: hays2020parksbond.com. There residents can read about the bond, view a story map of the projects and see answers to frequently asked questions.
The website also has the specific bond language, in English and Spanish, that voters will see on their ballots.
The Sentinel Peak Park and Preserve
The project was submitted by Hays County and requests $10 million for land acquisition, facility design and construction. There is a potential for up to $6 million from the Texas Water Development Board Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
The property will mainly serve as a Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat preserve but Hays County wants to include limited public access and lowimpact recreation as well. Passive recreation would include river access and river recreation as well as trail usage on preexisting trails.