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December 15, 2011
GOOD NEWS it has rained in Wimberley! Blue Hole Regional Park looks great. The Creek is up and flowing much better than this summer.
Construction is in full swing on the recreation area of the park and we thought you would be interested in knowing how construction and planting of native plants was handled during one of the worst droughts on record. This summer the City of Wimberley, Design Workshop, Friends of Blue Hole and the construction firm TF Harper worked together to implement a plan for both preserving the native plantings and properly managing our water usage.
Here is a recap of the recent activity:
- Construction on the park started in late 2010, prior to the implementation of the water use restrictions currently in place
- Approximately $100,000 in native landscaping, much of which is drought tolerant, was planted in the initial phase of construction and irrigated with potable water to establish the vegetation
- Temporary irrigation systems were used until drought-related water restrictions prohibited the use of such systems. Handheld hoses were then used on designated days and at designated times along with rainwater collection systems to meet the park’s summer time landscape watering needs. With recent rains, no watering is currently taking place. At no time was the park out of compliance with drought management guidelines.
- The City has delayed the replacement of any initial plantings that didn’t survive the summer until conditions are more favorable for replanting
- The City has delayed more than $150,000 in additional plantings in the second phase of the Park’s development which is currently underway until conditions are more favorable for planting.
- Since February 2011, a total of 719,690 gallons of water have been used at the park. This sounds like a big number but to put it in proper perspective you need to know that the typical monthly consumption in Wimberley is 10,000 to 12,000 thousand gallons. And in June 50 WWSC customers used over 50,000 gallons
- This water was used to get the native plants established, spanned a nine-month period and covered over 4 acres. This is an average of less than 20,000 gallons per acre per month. Almost 40 percent of the water use occurred in the month of June in the days immediately following the planting of the new landscape materials. As irrigation use is not metered separately on site, it should be noted that also starting in June the above-mentioned water use figures include water used in the operation of the new bathhouse/restroom facility constructed in the initial phase of the park development. Below is a breakdown of water usage at the park since February 2011.
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28-Feb 2011
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20
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31-Mar 2011
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3,160
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29-Apr 2011
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7,590
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27-May 2011
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35,900
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30-Jun 2011
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283,300
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29-Jul 2011
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158,490
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31-Aug
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113,500
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30-Sep 2011
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99,280
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28-Oct 2011
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18,450
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TOTAL
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719,690
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Water conservation concerns have driven Blue Hole Park’s design. Two of the four buildings being constructed in the park collect water from roofs for reuse in toilets and irrigation. The other two (which are the smallest) direct runoff to an adjacent planting garden. Plans also call for effluent from the on-site wastewater treatment plant to be used to irrigate the soccer fields and certain other vegetated areas of the park. All of this irrigation will be done in full compliance with all State regulations for effluent disposal. Upon completion of Blue Hole Regional Park our goal is to meet the criteria for a fully sustainable park and be a model in water usage. We believe that the park will collect and return to the environment more water than it uses and directly use no Trinity Aquifer water.
Be looking for announcements in the spring when Phase II development is finished. You will be invited to visit and use the new Community Pavilion, Johnson Family Soccer Field, Berman Wildflower Gardens, children’s play scape, volleyball court, Christopher Blab Basketball Court, trails and much more. See PARK DETAILS.
If you are looking for a fun and natural Christmas gift idea, how about placing a tree in the park in the name of your family or special someone? [See PLANT A TREE.] You may choose the type of tree and – when the drought is over! – we will plant it and have the tree identified with your name forever.
October 26, 2011
Phase II Kick-off Party a big success!
Friends of Blue Hole celebrated the completion of Phase I and beginning of Phase II on the evening of October 8, 2011, and also took the opportunity to honor the Peter Way Family and Hays County Commissioner Will Conley, whose critical and timely efforts led to the creation and funding of Wimberley’s new regional park. Executive Director Steve Klepfer presented each with a bronze sculpture by Benge Elliott. [See PHOTOS.]
Over 300 tickets were sold, and even with rain pending, more than 250 people attended. Many expressed delight at being outdoors and personally observing their beloved swimming hole replenished with the welcome rain. See more photos of the evening’s events.
We are planting 650 trees in the park!
For a $500 donation we will PLANT A TREE for you in Blue Hole Regional Park. Your name will appear on the Tree Donor location board and on the donor recognition wall in the park. Choose from these native trees:
Bald Cypress, Sycamore, Pecan, Burr Oak, Texas Red Oak, Cedar Elm, Honey Mesquite, Huisache, Flame Leaf Sumac, Red Buckeye, Youpon Holly, Possumhaw, Texas Redbud & Texas Persimmon
Put your family’s name or the name of a loved one in Blue Hole Regional Park forever. Contact Executive Director Steve Klepfer to discuss your donation.
Legacy Naming Opportunities still available
There’s still time to create a permanent legacy for your family at Blue Hole Regional Park. See Legacy Gifts to learn more about funding one or more park elements, including pricing. Still needed: more than a dozen limestone picnic tables and benches.
UPDATE: October 5, 2011
Rain or Shine: Alternate location in case of showers will be the covered pavilion behind the old Baptist Church near the entrance to Blue Hole Park.
September 1, 2011
Party for Blue Hole Park
October 8th 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Celebrating Blue Hole Regional Park
Honoring the Peter Way Family and
Hays County & Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley
for their Extraordinary Contributions
Join Friends of Blue Hole for an evening
to benefit the completion of Phase II of the park.
Listen to the Starlight Symphony. Enjoy wine, beer & hors d’oeuvres
Enjoy the completed park development including Blue Hole, Gate House,
Wood-Grinstead Amphitheatre, Way Overlook and McCord-Welp Overlook.
Take a tour on the tram of the ongoing construction of the
Johnson Family Soccer Field, Christopher Blab Basketball Court,
Berman Wildflower Gardens, Provost Trail, Tennis Courts, Children’s Playscape,
Community Pavilion, Volleyball Court, Walking Trails and more.
$45 donation per person in advance; $50 at the gate
Tickets may also be purchased at the Old Mill Store, City Hall, Blue Hole Regional Park & from this website:
Or mail a check to:
Friends of Blue Hole
PO Box 1601
Wimberley, Texas 78676
Be sure to include your name(s). All tickets will be held at the gate.
PO Box 1601 • Wimberley TX 78676 • (512) 970-9464
www.friendsofbluehole.org
Director and President Peter Way
Executive Director Stephen Klepfer • Directors: Jim Braniff • Curt Busk • Bob Dussler
Tevis Grinstead • Suzanne McCord • Andy Sansom • Shelton Smith • Marilee Wood
Advisory Directors: Valarie Bristol • Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Thurber
A non-profit organization created to promote, protect, preserve, and develop Blue Hole Regional Park. Federal ID# 20-3415046
August 18, 2011
The Brown Foundation Grants Friends of Blue Hole $100,000
Friends of Blue Hole received a $100,000 grant from The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston for Blue Hole Regional Park Development: Water and Aquifer Education Program & Stream Bank Restoration.
The Brown Foundation, Inc. was founded in July 1951 by Herman and Margarett Root Brown and George R. and Alice Pratt Brown. Since its inception it has awarded more than $1.2 billion in grants through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.The purpose of The Brown Foundation, Inc. is to distribute funds for public charitable purposes, principally for support, encouragement and assistance to education, the arts and community service.
Friends of Blue Hole, Inc. is a not for profit organization whose mission is to promote, protect, preserve, and sustainably develop the Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley.
From the beginning of the park planning process a strong education component about water conservation and aquifer education was contemplated. Peter Way, President of Friends of Blue Hole said “In many ways the Texas Hill Country is all about water and it seems fitting that a park developed around one of the most impressive and well known swimming holes in the country would have water and aquifer education as an important component. I want to thank the Brown Foundation for the generous help in this effort.”
Throughout the design and program planning of the Blue Hole Regional Park the abstract nature of water as a vital component to the Texas Hill Country is expressed. This design was led by the Austin office of Design Workshop with lead designers Steven Spears and Rebecca Leonard. Some of the strategies include water-harvesting techniques for reuse in irrigation and toilets and storm water purification through bioswales, rain gardens, and constructed wetlands. In addition, landscape and habitat restoration has been planned throughout the site including the cypress grove, grasslands and wildflower meadows, and upland forest areas.Critically important restoration to the Cypress Creek bank has been developed and native vegetation established to protect the swimming hole for generations to come.
There are several educational objectives for Wimberley Blue Hole Regional Park. One of the initial 12 goals for the project is that “Users will understand the natural and cultural significance of the park.” Strategies for this include interpretive displays regarding water harvesting and reuse (cisterns); a custom designed aquifer learning playground area; interpretive signage regarding wetlands, native restoration, old cypress trees, aquifer/limestone, prairie landscape, blue hole, and creek braid system. All together, there are in excess of 10 interpretive experiences at key locations that highlight the history, culture, hydrology, habitat, and wildlife of the site.
The park has been selected as a pilot park for the national Sustainable Sites Initiative. Some highlights of these sustainable practices include: “green” storm water systems such as rain gardens and bioswales, less than 8 percent impervious coverage, stream bank restoration, water harvesting/reuse for toilets and irrigation, use of native materials and reuse of existing materials in construction, revegetation and restoration of native plant species, full cut-off light system, natural ventilation for the site's architecture, and only 3 percent of new disturbance with the project.
The acquisition and development cost for the park is $ 7,423,500 of which $ 6,383,500 has been funded. In addition to the Brown Foundation grant, the Blue Hole Regional park project has been awarded $2.7 million from Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond Fund, $1.9 million from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund administered through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, an additional $500,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, $615,000 from the Friends of Blue Hole, $200,000 from the Lower Colorado River Authority, and $160,000 from the Burdine Johnson Foundation.
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
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