Tag: Berry Springs Park & Preserve

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Newcomer’s Winter Walk at Berry Springs

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— by Gary Bowers

Saturday, Feb 23, 2019 1:30 PM

On a bright, blustery Saturday a tiny but mighty group met in the upper parking lot at Berry Springs Park and Preserve. After a short meet and greet, the team fueled up on some high carb snacks before heading into the park.

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Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), naturalized annual

The group walked a short, level loop around the ponds chosen to provide a variety of micro-climates in a short distance. We were almost immediately greeted with the wonderful scent of a Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana) in full bloom (and hope the summer walk coincides with the ripening of these fruits). A few minutes later, we found a large area of Bluebonnets skirting the pathway. Combined with rosettes of Cutleaf Daisy (Engelmannia peristenia) and Mexican Hats (Ratibida columnifera), we are all anticipating a great show once the blooms are underway.

While the many mature pecans (both in the orchard in the natural areas) are stand out trees, there are many hidden gems if you slow down. Ten-petal Anemones (Anemone berlandieri), clumps of Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), thickets of Roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii), Elderberries (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis) and clumps of Bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus) were just a few of those that we saw along the walk today.

Thank you to all who braved the bad hair day and joined us! And if you didn’t make it today, we hope you’ll join us in April when we return to the park for the Spring iteration of the walk.

See photos from today’s trip at this link in our Field Trip photo album.

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WilCo Commissioners Vote No!

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Berry Springs Park & Preserve

Preservation prevailed on Tuesday, December 18, when Williamson County commissioners voted no on the City of Georgetown’s proposed routing of a wastewater pipeline through Berry Springs Park and Preserve. The county commissioners vote was unanimous, 5-0.

Public comment by many people in multiple ways called attention to the importance of  preserving this unique site and surely resonated with the commissioners.  THANK YOU!

NPSOT-Wilco members who spoke at the Dec 18 meeting, at earlier public meetings, or through letters published in area newspapers and social media include Billye Adams, Belinda Buescher, Gary Bowers, Martin Byhower, Beth Erwin, Kathy Galloway, Bob Kamper, Kathy McCormack, Charles Newsom and Sue Wiseman.  (If I missed anyone, please let me know.)  Chapter members also wrote letters to the commissioners.

Find out more in these earlier blog posts:

  • Dec 4 2018-Berry Creek Pipeline December Public Meetings
  • Nov 5 2018-Let’s Preserve Berry Springs Park and Preserve
  • Oct 1 2018-Berry Springs Park Sewer Line Project

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Berry Creek Pipeline-December Public Meetings

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— by Kathy McCormack

Wildflower meadow at Berry Springs Park and Preserve
Wildflower meadow at Berry Springs Park and Preserve

Regarding the proposed Berry Creek Wastewater Pipeline project, you may be interested in hearing the City of Georgetown presentation on Dec 11, and/or attending the public hearing on Dec 18.  We’ve been told that only one representative from each organization will be allowed to give public comment on Dec 18.  NPSOT-Wilco is in the process of developing our three minutes of public comment – please contact Gary Bowers (via [email protected]) or Kathy McCormack (via the form at this link) if you have input for consideration.

Below is the proposed timeline for the three December meetings at the Williamson County Commissioner’s Court for discussion and possible action regarding the Berry Creek Wastewater Pipeline project (100-foot wide construction zone followed by a permanent 50-foot wide easement through the length of Berry Springs Park and Preserve).

(Note: although the date of the first meeting listed below is past, its detail is included for your awareness relative to the timeline.)

Tuesday, 12/4/2018

– Agenda item #38 to discuss and take action on setting a public hearing on Tuesday, 12/18/18 at 9:30 am in the Williamson County Commissioners Courtroom, 710 Main St, Georgetown, TX 78626.

Tuesday, 12/11/2018

– The City of Georgetown plans to attend the Commissioners Court meeting to discuss the project.  There will be an opportunity for public comment (3 minutes each) at the beginning of the Court meeting as we do each week.

– Betsy Ross may also make a presentation or at least be there to discuss the concepts of restoration along the proposed alignment.

Tuesday, 12/18/2018

– If approved on 12/4/18, there will be a public hearing to start as close to 10 am as possible but not before.

– The agenda will include an action item to vote on the project alignment through the park.

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