Parks bond features San Marcos area projects
Hays County Proposition A could potentially and partially fund 15 projects submitted by Hays County municipalities and organizations vetted by the Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Commission. There are five projects proposed in the Dripping Springs area, four in the San Marcos area, four in the Wimberley area and two in the Kyle and Buda region of various sizes and costs.
“I fully support the flood mitigation and conservation projects included in Prop A to protect our natural resources and our residents from the ever-present danger of flooding.” Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said. “I will work to ensure the projects funded benefit all Hays County residents.”
If the bond is approved, Hays County will attempt to negotiate agreements and determine if each project qualifies to receive some bond funding; most projects would only be partially funded through the bond and all were presented with alternative funding to complete the project cost; the project had a goal of a 1:1 funding match or better.
“If voters approve the bond,” Commissioner Pct. 4 Walt Smith said, “commissioners court will proceed with caution and on a timeline that allows us to assess our financial situation.”
Ultimately, the commissioners felt that putting the decision for the bond in the hands of those who are living in Hays County and experiencing the economic crisis was the best way forward.
The projects in the San Marcos area include the San Marcos River Recharge Lands, Purgatory Creek: habitat, clean water preserve, the Cape Road Fishing Pond and the Presa Grande Sink Creek Watershed.
All but Presa Grande Sink Creek Watershed are considered tier 1 projects, or highly recommended to receive funding.
The San Marcos River Foundation (SMRF) submitted the San Marcos River Recharge Lands project to purchase three properties to create more greenspace for San Marcos and Hays County residents while protecting the Edwards Aquifer and San Marcos River. The properties include the 75-acre Geiger Tract, the 102.8-acre Elsik tract and the 56-acre Icehouse.
The total project would cost somewhere between $3.475 million and $4.38 million and already has $782,450 committed from SMRF and the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance.
Capes Fishing Pond is a land acquisition project to provide multi-modal transportation connectivity between disconnected areas of San Marcos and local and proposed hike and bike trail systems. The Capes Fishing Pond would implement trail improvements and a hike and bike bridge over the San Marcos River. It would offer educational and recreational opportunities and demonstrate rain gardens, bioswales and natural water filtration. Hays County already purchased the land in March 2020 for $2.6 million and is requesting $4.5 million for the rest of the project.
The Hays County Habitat, Open Space and Clean Waters Preserve in the Purgatory Creek Area, sponsored by the Hill Country Conservancy is requesting $17.7 million for the acquisition of a conservation easement of over 1,068 acres of high-quality habitat, watershed, water quality, recharge and flood mitigation land, contiguous to Purgatory Creek, the La Cima Parkland and the Hays County La Cima Preserve.
The project would expand public trails and offers significant Golden-cheeked Warbler Mitigation Credits valued at more than $5.7 million.
Presa Grande Sink Creek Watershed was proposed by the Great Springs Project and the Hill Country Conservancy at $8.5 million to provide wildlife viewing and nature enjoyment.
The project would purchase fee simple of a conservation easement on an 844 acre tract that lies in the Sink Creek watershed. It contains significant aquifer recharge features, karst areas, water quality buffers and spring buffers. The property may also contain Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat.
The public would have access to the property via a trailhead and network of multi-use trails, supporting local and regional connectivity.
Hays County voters can learn more about Proposition A — the 2020 Parks and Open Spaces Bond — on the ballot this year through its website: hays2020parksbond.com. There residents can read about the bond, view a story map of the projects and see answers to frequently asked questions.
“POSAC reviewed 19 submitted projects and recommended funding of 16 over several budget cycles,” General Counsel Mark Kennedy said. “Each project on the story map indicates the types of features that would result, including public access, camping opportunities, ADA accessibility, and trails and river recreation.
“Additionally, the story map indicates broader benefits of water quality protection, protection of sensitive, threatened or endangered species habitat, and flood mitigation,” Kennedy added.
The story map can help visually explain the projects that could be funded if voters approve the bond, which would fund roughly $75 million for new parks, trails and open spaces over the next several years.
The website also has the specific bond language, in English and Spanish, that voters will see on their ballots. sgates
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