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August 2011
Friends of Blue Hole Fundraiser October 8, 2011
at Blue Hole Regional Park, Wimberley TX
Save the date, October 8, 6 to 7:30 pm for a very special evening as we pay tribute to the Way Family and to Hays County Commissioner Will Conley. The Starlight Symphony will entertain. Details in upcoming newsletters.
How’s construction going on Phase Two?
The soccer fields and basketball court are on schedule. Site preparation and utilities have been completed for the Tennis Courts, Community Pavilion, Trails, Children's Play Area, and Volleyball Court, but further construction is on hold. We need your help. Make a donation today in any amount; see how to help below. Or contact Friends of Blue Hole Executive Director Steve Klepfer to discuss other ways to contribute.
Landscape Design Team Recognized
The Blue Hole Regional Park design team was invited to the White House for a special conference on sustainable site development. Blue Hole park was one of the first landscapes to participate in a new program testing the nation's first rating system for green landscape design, construction, and maintenance.
One of several educational plaques in the new park.
The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) is an interdisciplinary effort by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin, and the United States Botanic Garden to create voluntary national guidelines and performance benchmarks for sustainable land design, construction, and maintenance practices.
How the Drought Affects Blue Hole
Blue Hole park is open and swimmers are enjoying the cool water. The water level is down but there’s still plenty of splashing under the rope swings. Water testing has been increased this dry summer, but the results are well within acceptable ranges. So grab your suit and head out to the Park. See Hours of Operation.
If you missed KVUE news on Wednesday, read the story online and play the interview with FOBH Executive Director Steve Klepfer and Wimberley Valley Watershed David Baker.
Hays County Tax Dollars Invested in Blue Hole
It’s your money: Hays County Tax dollars invested in Blue Hole now total $2,700,000. Thank you!
Director and President Peter Way Executive Director Stephen Klepfer
Directors Jim Braniff * Marilee Wood * Curt Busk * Bob Dussler * Tevis Grinstead * Suzanne McCord
* Andy Sansom * Shelton Smith * Advisory Directors: Stephen Thurber * Valarie Bristol
A non-profit organization created to promote, protect, preserve, and develop Blue Hole Park owned by the Village of Wimberley.
Federal ID# 20-3415046
June 17, 2011
COME SEE THE NEW PARK
Blue Hole Regional Park, Phase One, opened on Saturday, June 11. Wimberley Mayor Bob Flocke greeted over a hundred members of the community and honored guests at the Opening Ceremony.
Facilities now open include paved parking, gatehouse, bathhouse and restrooms, park office, and picnic area, all of which went into immediate use to park visitors after the Grand Opening. If you have not been to Blue Hole lately, please stop by and see what your efforts have brought to our community. Thank you!
Among speakers at the Grand Opening Ceremony, Dr. Curt Busk, Friends of Blue Hole treasurer, gave an overview of Blue Hole history and spoke of the critical role of Peter Way and his family in facilitating the purchase of the land.
Steven Spears of Design Workshop described the four years of community involvement and effort that went into bringing Phase One of the Master Plan to life. He also announced that Blue Hole Regional Park just this week was chosen as one of 25 pilot projects in the world by the Sustainable Sites Institute. Blue Hole achieved this honor by:
- using cedar and stone harvested from the park itself, which might otherwise have been carted off to a landfill
- Constructing a cistern to collect thousands of gallons of runoff from the bath house roofs to water landscaping
- remediating stream bank erosion and ending the destruction of cypress tree roots as swimmers climbed in and out of the water (There are now only 4 designated entry points, one especially for the younger swimmers at the shallow end of the stream.)
Mr. Spears especially commended the community for their contributions, beginning with a year of stakeholder’s meetings to reach consensus on development, financial contributions large and small, and the labor of so many volunteers such as those who recently participated in Plant The Park Day.
Mayor Flocke cut the “ribbon” – an industrial strength chain – to officially open the park for business. The Dussler Family Gate, designed by Design Workshop and Benge Elliot and sculpted by Benge, swung open and the first visitors to Hays County’s newest park streamed through.
2011 BLUE HOLE SWIMMING AREA HOURS OF OPERATION
The Blue Hole Regional Park will be open for the 2011 Summer Season on Saturday, June 11th and remain open daily through Labor Day. See Visit Blue Hole for HOURS OF OPERATION.
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June 10, 2011
Opening Day is here! [UPDATE: See video and photos of Opening Day]
Tomorrow, Saturday, June 11th, at 10 AM, Blue Hole Regional Park will officially open for the summer swimming season. Park visitors will enjoy new landscaped paths, picnic tables, gatehouse, and bath houses. Named elements include the Way Overlook, The Wood-Grinstread Amphitheater, the McCord-Welp Overlook, and Way and Byrne picnic tables. See Legacy Gifts for remaining opportunities to create a lasting contribution.
At 9:30 AM, prior to the park’s opening, City of Wimberley and Friends of Blue Hole will host a grand opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of Phase One. Mayor Bob Flocke and Dr. Curt Busk, treasurer of Friends of Blue Hole, will officiate. You are cordially invited. Come see the beautiful changes at Blue Hole.
What’s next for Blue Hole?
With the completion of Phase One, Friends of Blue Hole is committed to completing park elements in Phase Two, including:
- Community Pavilion
- Soccer fields
- Tennis courts
- Basketball court
- Volleyball court
- Children’s play area
...and even more trails to connect to the new Hike and Bike Trail dedicated last month.
Shammies ‘N Koozies
Also on June 11, the 2nd annual Shammies ‘N Koozies bike ride will start at Blue Hole and finish in New Braunfels. For details, follow the link, or go to http://www.shammiesnkoozies.com/ .
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May 24, 2011
Plant The Park A Success
On Saturday May 21st, 81 volunteers spent the morning planting 3600 plants in the Blue hole Regional Park. This event, organized by Friends of Blue Hole, reduced the cost of park development by 217 man-hours! A special thank you to the Hays County Master Naturalists, Wimberley Valley Water Shed Association, Keep Wimberley Beautiful and Wimberley Boy Scout Troup 127 & Pack 127. The Master Naturalist were simply amazing in their skill and knowledge and the Boy Scouts worked on a Conservation Project for their Camping Merit Badge. Additional Plant the Park Days will be held as construction proceeds over the next six months. See PHOTOS of PLANT THE PARK.
Restoration of Stream Bank
Twenty-seven Bald Cypress saplings were planted on the banks of Blue Hole. Years of loving Blue Hole so much had left no new growth Bald Cypress where swimmers and jumpers got in and out of the water. Young trees are crucial for the future of Blue Hole. Years from now these young trees will take their turn giving shade and beauty and a launching place for the ring jumps. Last year landscape architects from Design Workshop (the park design team hired by Wimberley) and arborists found saplings from other areas of Cypress Creek, gave them to their nursery to grow until they were planted this weekend in the park. These trees are exactly indigenous to Blue Hole, just like the magnificent adult trees there now.
Blue Hole Swimming Opens June 11
Phase 1 of park development is finishing up and the Park will be open June 11. Some of the new facilities will be open.
Shammies ‘N Koozies
Also on June 11, the 2nd annual Shammies ‘N Koozies bike ride will start at Blue Hole and finish in New Braunfels. For details, follow the link, or go to www.friendsofbluehole.org. Friends of Blue Hole needs volunteers to help out on the day of the event. If you can help, please contact info@shammiesnkoozies.com .
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May 5, 2011
Plant The Park at Blue Hole Regional Park May 21
The first phase of improvements at Blue Hole Regional Park is nearly done, but we need your help to finish! Your time represents direct savings for the community: the value of your time will substantially reduce the contract cost of the Blue Hole Project and help our dollars go much further.
Landscaping plans call for restoration and filling-in with native plants next to walkways and existing vegetation. Friends of Blue Hole is organizing a small army of volunteers to work under the supervision of master naturalists and landscape architects. We are calling this effort Plant The Park.
We won’t work you to death, and volunteer gardeners need no special expertise, only a willingness to get their hands a little dirty. There will be jobs for those less mobile as well. Our first Plant The Park event is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 8:30-1:30. Bring a couple of handy gardening tools, a shovel, rake, trowel, rock bar, mattock, etc. and we’ll let you put them to good use.
Mark your calendar now, and don’t forget your gloves and sun screen! We’ll provide the water, snacks, and camaraderie.
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April 29, 2011
Construction of Blue Hole Regional Park, phase one, is well underway. Landscaping plans call for restoration and filling-in with native plants next to walkways and existing vegetation. Friends of Blue Hole is organizing a small army of volunteers to work under the supervision of master naturalists and landscape architects. Workdays for volunteers to come to the park and help out will be scheduled for an upcoming series of Saturdays, starting in May. We are calling this effort Plant The Park.
Volunteer hours will reduce the cost of park development and make our dollars go further. Our goal is to organize 2,000 hours of volunteer effort by the end of phase two when park development is complete.
Volunteer gardeners need no special expertise, only a willingness to get their hands dirty. There will be jobs for the less mobile as well. Plant The Park dates will be announced in the newspaper, in our newsletter, and on our website. Get your garden gloves ready! See you at Blue Hole.
Mark your calendars for the dedication of the Winters Mill / Blue Hole hike and bike trail, 10 am, May 21, 2011. Details to follow.
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April 17, 2011
Wimberley Community Tennis Association Recipient of USTA TX Grant
Funds Given to Friends of Blue Hole for Tennis Courts
The Wimberley Community Tennis Association (WCTA) was the recipient of a USTA TX Section Public Facility Funding Grant. WCTA President, Bob Kerrigan, presented the USTA check for $10,000 to Friends of Blue Hole (FOBH) Executive Director, Stephen Klepfer and Board Member, Steve Thurber. As part of the matching grant requirements, WCTA must continue to help grow the game of tennis in Wimberley and the Hill Country through their many adult and beginner programs, as well as their very active tennis membership. As part of the grant requirements, WCTA recently contributed a $10,000 donation fo the Friends of Blue Hole. They also helped raise another $5,000 through a recent tennis fund-raiser, which supported the Wimberley Tennis Center at Blue Hole. WCTA and the City of Wimberley are in the process of applying for a National USTA “Tennis in the Parks” grant.
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Friends of Blue Hole Executive Director Stevee Klepfer, Advisory Director Steve Thurber,
and Wimberley Community Tennis Assocation President Bob Kerrigan
To ensure WCTA continues to grow and support local community tennis needs and those of the Hill Country, we desperately need a new tennis facility. Now is the perfect opportunity to help the Friends of Blue Hole and WCTA raise the necessary funds to build the Wimberley Tennis Center at Blue Hole. This is the time to make a tax deductible contribution to the Friends of Blue Hole Tennis Project. To be sure the funds are directed to the tennis center, please write in “Tennis Facilities” on the “Memo” portion of your check.
WCTA (wimberleytennis.com), Friends of Blue Hole, and all sports enthusiasts of the Wimberley Valley thank you!
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NEWS RELEASE
April 5, 2011
Construction Update:
Work crews are making significant progress on planned improvements to the swimming area at the Blue Hole Regional Park. The natural swimming area could be ready for swimming and ring jumping in early June.
It is our hope that Blue Hole enthusiasts will be able to enjoy almost a full summer of swimming and ring jumping this year. We are pleased with the progress being made by the City’s construction contractor.
The improvements to the swimming area include enhanced landscaping, construction of a bathhouse and parking spaces along with construction of a walkway down to the swimming area and two (2), four (4) foot wide limestone paved paths to picnic areas and water access areas.
The concrete pads for the limestone paved paths and water access areas were poured this week. As you are aware, great care was taken in the design and construction of these paths so as to protect the root systems of the existing Cypress Trees which line the bank of the Cypress Creek.
In addition to providing safe access for all users of the swimming area, the limestone paved paths and water access areas will help stabilize the bank of Cypress Creek which has experienced significant erosion in recent years.
The Blue Hole swimming area has been experiencing creek bank erosion because swimming hole users were allowed to get in to and out of the water wherever they pleased. On numerous occasions it was observed that users would literally use underwater Cypress roots or the edge of the bank to get out of the water.
Four (4) water access areas are being created based in historical usage of the swimming area. Each of the access areas will be connected with an ADA compliant limestone paved path, approximately four feet wide.
These access areas were strategically placed with limited disturbance to root systems and will, in fact, provide stabilization to the creek’s edge (the source of the erosion). Where the concrete pad below the limestone surface of the path and/or access area engages an exposed root, the concrete will span or cantilever over the roots (with an air gap) and small holes will be drilled in the concrete to allow for water and oxygen to make it to the roots. This only occurs in a handful of places.
In addition to constructing a limited number limestone paved paths and water access areas, additional vegetation will be planted along the bank of Cypress Creek.
The most important aspect to the creek bank restoration effort is the abundant space in between the four access points to the water. Significant native creek-bank restoration plantings and Cypress tree regeneration will occur in these areas, providing a much richer ecological edge to the Cypress Creek in this area than what has been seen in decades.
When planning improvements to the swimming area, several bank restoration alternatives, such as the use of crushed granite trails, were explored by City officials and Design Workshop. It was determined that the combination of limestone paved paths and water access areas and restoration planting was the most practical and cost effective approach to bank restoration and preservation.
The improvements to the swimming area just a portion of some $3.1 million worth of improvements being made to the 126-acre Blue Hole Regional Park. Other improvements include the construction of two (2) soccer fields, six (6) tennis courts, community pavilion, amphitheatre, playground and several miles of walking trails. These improvements were identified in the Blue Hole Regional Park Master Plan adopted by the City Council approximately four (4) years ago. Utilizing an extensive public involvement process, a community stakeholders group developed the Master Plan with a goal of protecting, restoring and developing the Blue Hole Regional Park as a recreational, educational and ecological resource for present and future generations.
The public was re-engaged by the City approximately two (2) years ago when it came time to design the various park improvements. Input was gathered from community stakeholders and other members of the public in a well-publicized public input process. For more details about the park, see PARK DETAILS.
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NEWS RELEASE
February 17, 2011
For information call:
Don Ferguson, City Administrator for City of Wimberley, 512/847-0025
Mayor Bob Flocke, City of Wimberley 512/847-0025
Stephen Klepfer, Friends of Blue Hole Executive Director, 512/970-9464
www.vil.wimberley.tx.us
www.friendsofbluehole.org
Councilwoman Marilee Wood & Tevis Grinstead
Give $30,000 to Blue Hole Regional Park
The City of Wimberley and Friends of Blue Hole accepted a gift today from Councilwoman Marilee Wood and Tevis Grinstead for $30,000. The gift will be used to fund the construction and maintenance of the amphitheatre at Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley. The amphitheatre will be named The Wood Grinstead Amphitheatre.
As part of the Friends of Blue Hole park development fund raising campaign the gift is the third Legacy Gift accepted. The Legacy Gift program, which was accepted by the City Council last year, allows for the naming in perpetuity of park elements by donors. The first Legacy Gift accepted was from the Peter and Mary Faye Way family and the second from the Burdine Johnson Foundation. [See LEGACY NAMING OPPORTUNITIES.]
Wimberley Mayor Bob Flocke accepted the gift from Councilwoman Wood and Mr. Grinstead and said: “This community is built around great volunteers giving their time and resources. Marilee and Tevis are fine examples of this Wimberley spirit. We thank them for this generous gift to build the amphitheatre at Blue Hole.”
Marilee and Tevis have been leaders in the Blue Hole Regional Park project from the very beginning. Marilee was on the City Council in 2003, when the City of Wimberley completed negotiations to acquire the property for public use. Both Marilee and Tevis were instrumental in the negotiation and the funding of the acquisition. They have previously given generously to the acquisition and then again to help fund the Master Plan.
Both are original and current members of the Board of Directors of Friends of Blue Hole. Councilwoman Wood previously served on the Wimberley Planning and Zoning Commission, the Hays County Park and Open Space Advisory Board, and is serving her third term on the City Council. Tevis served as a commissioner on Planning and Zoning including as Chairman and currently serves on the Board of Adjustment.
Marilee and Tevis started coming to Wimberley in 1991. Tevis was a partner at Vincent & Elkins law firm and Marilee held management positions in both public and private sectors. Including time as Director of Public Affairs with Houston Metro and Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations for a large Houston developer.
The acquisition and development cost for the park is $ 7,423,500 of which $ 6,083,500 has been funded. To date, the Blue Hole Regional park project has been awarded $1.9 million from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund administered through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, $2.7 million from Hays County Parks and Open Space bond fund, an additional $500,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, $415,000 from the Friends of Blue Hole, $200,000 from the Lower Colorado River Authority, and $160,000 from the Burdine Johnson Foundation.
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NEW: GROUND-BREAKING PHOTOS
October 15, 2010
PO Box 1601 • Wimberley TX 78676
www.friendsofbluehole.org
Message from Friends of Blue Hole (FOBH) President Peter Way
With your help, a fundraising drive was successfully concluded in May 2005 with the purchase of 126 acres near downtown Wimberley, home of the Texas treasure called Blue Hole. Frequently named one of the state’s top swimming holes by Texas Monthly magazine, Blue Hole was also cited this summer by Travel & Leisure Magazine as #11 of America’s best swimming holes.
During the past five years, we have seen the park successfully open every summer for increasing numbers of persons. The first summer had 1,500 patrons growing to 16,000 last summer.
The highlight of 2010 was the completion of construction plans for the next phase - building the recreational facilities and preserving the parkland for generations to come. The City of Wimberley formed the Blue Hole Regional Park Task Force, which included FOBH Director Marilee Wood as our liaison, to guide the park design process. These improvements, to be executed by Design Workshop, closely follow the master plan created by Wimberley citizens in 2006 with the guidance of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This master plan was funded by FOBH, and our organization will help finance the preservation and construction for the park.
The Board of Directors of Friends of Blue Hole is supporting the upcoming development of the park. Work will include stabilization of the Cypress Creek bank as well as construction of a gate/bath house, a community pavilion, trails and overlooks, an amphitheater, soccer fields, basketball court, volleyball court, bathrooms, gardens, and more! Please take a minute to look at the current plans.
Please join FOBH Directors and City of Wimberley officials for the ground breaking ceremony on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 2:00 P.M.
Friends of Blue Hole Announces:
Capital Campaign to Complete the Park
Total Acquisition and Development Cost $ 7,423,500
Total Funded To Date $ 6,083,500
Needed To Complete the Park $ 1,340,000
Please consider in your end-of-year tax planning a donation to Friends of Blue Hole. Thank You.
Director and President Peter Way
Executive Director Stephen Klepfer
Directors Jim Braniff * Valarie Bristol * Curt Busk * Bob Dussler * Tevis Grinstead * Suzanne McCord * Andy Sansom * Shelton Smith * Stephen Thurber * Marilee Wood
A non-profit organization created to promote, protect, preserve, and develop Blue Hole Park owned by the Village of Wimberley.
Federal ID# 20-3415046
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August 28, 2010
PO Box 1601 • Wimberley TX 78676
www.friendsofbluehole.org
To Friends of Blue Hole:
More than 14,500 people will visit Blue Hole this summer!
Since the purchase of the Blue Hole Park in 2005, swimmers have come from all over Texas and the United States to enjoy a cool dip in this famous landmark. This year from Memorial Day to Labor Day, more than 14,500 people will visit the Park. Since opening the park in 2006, annual attendance has increased from 4,500 to 14,500.
Message from Friends of Blue Hole President Peter Way
With your help, a fundraising drive successfully concluded in May 2005 with the purchase of 126 acres near downtown Wimberley, home of the Texas treasure called Blue Hole. Named one of the state’s top swimming holes by Texas Monthly magazine, Blue Hole also was cited by Travel & Leisure magazine as #11 of America’s best swimming holes. www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-best-swimming-holes/11
During the past five years, construction plans have been created and approved for the final phase: building the recreational facilities and preserving the parkland for generations to come. These improvements, to be executed by Design Workshop, closely follow the master plan created by Wimberley citizens in 2006 with the guidance of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Friends of Blue Hole funded this master plan, and our organization will help finance the preservation and construction for the park.
The Board of Directors of Friends of Blue Hole is supporting the upcoming development of the park. Work will include stabilization of the Cypress Creek bank as well as construction of a gatehouse, a community pavilion, trails and overlooks, an amphitheater, soccer fields, basketball court, volleyball court, bathrooms, gardens, and more! Please take a minute to take a look at the current plans.
Blue Hole Park selected for Sustainable Sites Initiative
The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) announced the selection of Blue Hole Regional Park as one of the first projects in a new national rating system for green landscape design, construction, and maintenance. See more at: www.sustainablesites.org .
Groundbreaking November 7th
Watch for upcoming announcements on the park’s groundbreaking ceremony tentatively scheduled November 8th.
Director and President Peter Way
Executive Director Stephen Klepfer
Directors Jim Braniff * Valarie Bristol * Curt Busk * Bob Dussler * Tevis Grinstead * Suzanne McCord
* Andy Sansom * Shelton Smith * Stephen Thurber * Marilee Wood
A non-profit organization created to promote, protect, preserve, and develop Blue Hole Park owned by the Village of Wimberley.
Federal ID# 20-3415046
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NEWS RELEASE
December 2, 2010
For information call:
Way Family Gives $63,500 To Blue Hole Regional Park
The City of Wimberley and Friends of Blue Hole accepted a gift today from the Peter and Mary Faye Way family for $63,500. The gift will be used to fund the construction and maintenance of the creek overlook and three custom limestone picnic tables at BlueHoleRegionalPark in Wimberley. The creek overlook will be named The Way Family Overlook and the picnic tables will bear the name of special friends of the Way family. One of the tables will acknowledge Mr. and Mrs. Ben B. McAndrew, Jr the deceased parents of a good friend of the Way’s.
As part of the Friends of Blue Hole park development fund raising campaign the gift from the Ways is the first Legacy Gift. The Legacy Gift program, which was accepted by the City Council last month, allows for the naming in perpetuity of park elements by donors.
Wimberley Mayor Bob Flocke accepted the gift and said: “The fact that we are even able to start down this road is because of the foresight, generosity and community spirit of Peter Way and his family. That he has stepped forward with this additional contribution to get us started on the Legacy Gift program is a manifestation of his fine community spirit.”
The Way’s have been leaders in the BlueHoleRegionalPark project from the very beginning. In 2003, the City of Wimberley completed negotiations to acquire the property for public use with the generosity of local landowner and part-time resident Peter Way who held the property at no profit while acquisition funding was obtained by the municipal government.
In addition to his effort to preserve the Blue Hole Regional Park, the Way family has donated a conservation easement to the Nature Conservancy on a ranch they own on the Blanco River limiting the number of houses that can be built on 350 acres to one house per 80 acres, in perpetuity. The Way family has also helped fund research through the River Systems Institute at Texas State University to determine how much water can afford to be taken from our aquifers before they are depleted.
The acquisition and development cost for the park is $ 7,423,500 of which
$ 6,083,500 has been funded. To date, the Blue Hole Regional park project has been awarded $1.9 million from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund administered through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, $2.7 million from Hays County Parks and Open Space bond fund, an additional $500,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, $415,000 from the Friends of Blue Hole, $200,000 from the Lower Colorado River Authority, and $160,000 from the Burdine Johnson Foundation.
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