New Sculpture to grace Martha Knies Community Park

Plans may have been slowed down a bit, but come March of 2021, the little pocket park closest to the Wimberley Square, with pomp and circumstance, will receive its changed name. Not only that, it will have a beautiful bronze sculpture to highlight the newly named Martha Knies Community Park.

Last year, the Wimberley City Council approved the name change from just the Cypress Creek Nature Trail and Preserve Park. No fanfare or hoopla as construction around and on Old Kyle Road would take time. Winter passed and then “boom” March’s lockdown into May happened, slowing things down some.

But the good news is the park is not forgotten, the pool and fountain behind the picnic tables are in operational order after a long period to fix the leaks. The park is meticulously tended to as is all the open parks in the city.

Come March, close to Martha Knies’ 83rd birthday, official dedication will happen if KWB has anything to do with it. Volunteers are always around pulling weeds and making things look pretty in this “little bit of Heaven,” and look forward to official dedication.

On Sunday March 7, at 2 p.m., just days after Martha turns 84 years old, the dedication of the statue and the park will happen. This will take place with a fundraising effort by KWB through January. More information on this as it becomes known.

The sculpture itself is called “Painting Music” by Angela Mia De la Vega and can be viewed at Pizter.com under the sculptor’s name.

“It is dear because she spent her (Martha’s) childhood climbing a favorite Horse Chestnut tree,” according to Stephanie Nestlerode of the KWB fundraising project for the park.

Its addition will be welcome at the park and viewed by passing traffic.

Martha Knies is responsible for starting KWB and its entrance into Keep Texas and Keep America Beautiful. On the way she was winning awards for the community and its citizens’ efforts, but also winning the prestigious Leadership Award for her individual efforts.

“Keep Texas Beautiful presents, this once-ina-lifetime distinction is awarded to an individual who has provided outstanding leadership in improving and enhancing the environment of their community, the state of Texas and beyond. Martha Knies of Wimberley.”

KWB has kept up the organization’s efforts in keeping Wimberley Beautiful with clean up days, placing flags and banners on the Cypress Creek Bridge for national holidays, and just making Wimberley the prettiest valley around, adding a touch to “A little bit of Heaven.”

As founder and president of KWB for so long, she has stepped aside her leadership roles and now is just a member. She can be found pulling weeds and picking up trash, whenever and wherever its spotted, according to Bettie Smith, good friend of Martha’s and KWB’s Treasurer. Fundraising will start in a few weeks and is a great way to honor Martha.

Keep Wimberley

Beautiful

P. O. Box 2253

Wimberley TX 78676