SAN MARCOS GREENBELT ALLIANCE
The San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance is proud to announce the previous year of remarkable achievements that showcase its dedication to trail maintenance, ecological restoration and sustainable stewardship of the region’s natural areas.
TRAIL TALK: EXPANDING AND MAINTAINING TRAIL NETWORKS
In 2024, SMGA focused on expanding its trail network and maintaining over 20 miles of existing trails. Highlights include:
• New Paraiso Trail Extension: A one-mile addition in the Upper Purgatory Natural Area connected Dante to Paraiso, offering hikers a scenic journey through rugged Edwards Plateau terrain. A stone bench was installed, providing a peaceful resting spot overlooking the dry creek bed.
• Miller Middle School Connector: Construction began on a new trail, Fox Tail Trail, near Miller Middle School, designed to connect two neighborhoods and offer students a safe, natural route to and from school.
• Root Rock Trail Reroute: A section of the Root Rock Trail in Schulle Canyon was rerouted to improve accessibility and sustainability.
• Limestone Link Trail: Partnering with Hays County, SMGA constructed this vital onemile connection between the River Recharge and Ringtail Ridge Natural Areas, completing another segment of the Loop and Check trail system.
Maintenance of existing trails remained a top priority, with volunteers dedicating countless hours to mitigating erosion, clearing vegetation and repairing storm damage in collaboration with the city of San Marcos Trail Crew. Trail signage was improved to enhance navigation, while invasive plant removal and native grass seeding efforts contributed to healthier greenspaces and increased biodiversity.
TEAM FLORA: RESTORING NATIVE HABITATS
Team Flora, a subgroup of SMGA’s natural area efforts, played a crucial role in ecological restoration, focusing on enhancing biodiversity and promoting sustainable landscapes. Key projects included:
• Seeding native grasses in Prospect Park: Over 9,000 square feet of the meadow were seeded with native grass mixes, helping to replace invasive species like KR bluestem and Johnson grass.
• Native plant restoration in Spring Lake Natural Area: Trails like Centipede and Bluestem saw native species seeded, including Fall Aster and Illinois Bundleflower.
• Tree planting and trail maintenance: Flameleaf sumacs were planted along Virgil’s Way in Prospect Park, while trails like Limbo Loop and Sinon were stringtrimmed and lopped.
• Limestone Link enhancements: Team Flora seeded native plants, including Bluebonnets and Standing Cypress, sourced from local suppliers. The trail will open to the public in April. Be on the lookout for details on the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Through their efforts, Team Flora made significant progress in restoring native habitats and supporting sustainable trail systems, ensuring that SMGA’s natural areas remain havens of biodiversity and beauty.
LOOKING AHEAD
As SMGA reflects on its accomplishments in 2024, the organization extends its heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers, partners, and community members whose dedication and collaboration made these achievements possible. To support the trails and natural areas in town, join SMGA at the 2025 annual fundraising event on Feb. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pauline Espinosa Community Hall. Your participation will directly contribute to sustaining and expanding SMGA’s mission.
For more information on SMGA’s efforts or to learn how to get involved, visit smgreenbelt. org or email us at Alliance@ smgreenbelt.org.
