Charro Ranch Park - City of Dripping Springs

Charro Ranch Park
Draft Master Plan
03/27/2013
Version 2.03
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 2
1.
Stakeholders Group .............................................................................................................................. 3
2.
Mission .................................................................................................................................................. 3
3.
Vision ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
4.
Goals...................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.
The Master Plan Process ....................................................................................................................... 4
6.
History ................................................................................................................................................... 5
7.
The Site.................................................................................................................................................. 5
8.
Uses ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Recreation ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Environment.............................................................................................................................................. 8
Educational Opportunity ........................................................................................................................... 8
Reflection .................................................................................................................................................. 9
9.
Facilities................................................................................................................................................. 9
10.
Projects ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Prioritized Projects .................................................................................................................................... 9
Future Projects ........................................................................................................................................ 10
11.
Workday Participation .................................................................................................................... 11
12.
Funding............................................................................................................................................ 12
13.
Park Rules ........................................................................................................................................ 12
14.
Revision History............................................................................................................................... 12
Exhibit A - History of Park Progress............................................................................................................. 14
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Joe Volpe, Garry Child, Anne Child
Michelle Fischer, Lucy Reed Hibberd
1. Stakeholders Group
The City of Dripping Springs
Lucy Reed Hibberd and the Crenshaw Family
The City of Dripping Springs Parks & Recreation Commission
o Robbie Zamora – Chair
o Thao Phan
o Eric Russell
o Shelley Reeves
o Rich Moore
o Rob Hayden
The Charro Ranch Park Partners Committee
o Michelle Fischer (City Administrator)
o Rob Hayden (Chair and Parks & Recreation Commission)
o Rich Moore (Parks & Recreation Commission)
o Marisa Maher (Dripping Springs High School and Middle School Cross Country Track Teams)
o Garry Child (Hays County Master Naturalist)
o Adam Kappler (Hays County Master Naturalist)
Hays County Master Naturalists
Dripping Springs Independent School District
Dripping Springs High School and Middle School Cross Country Track Teams
Neighborhoods adjoining Charro Ranch Park: Springwood and Woods Loop
Citizens of Dripping Springs
Visitors and volunteers at the park
2. Mission
Parks and Recreation Mission Statement:
"Preserving Texas Hill Country for its people and their recreation/leisure, for its history and the sense of place, for its
beauty and the open spaces."
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Charro Ranch Park Mission Statement:
To create a natural setting for passive activities for the community of Dripping Springs to enjoy nature. It will be a multiuse park enjoyed for:
Casual recreation such as walking and picnicking, bird watching, education and reflection on the natural
environment.
Sports training for area cross country track runners and exercise runners of all ages.
Educational purposes to learn about plants, animals, geology, ecology, photography, etc.
Reflection on peace and nature.
3. Vision
“To preserve, restore, educate, and promote a natural Texas Hill Country experience for the people of Dripping Springs
and citizens of Hays County.”
4. Goals
Develop Charro Ranch Park as a "destination" for nature observation, bird watching, native plants, photography,
peaceful reflection and public enjoyment. As a destination, Charro Ranch Park could bring more tourism to Dripping
Springs.
Restore and maintain the natural environment and provide public access and educational experiences.
Maintain and enhance existing trails and create additional trails to enjoy the natural park setting while honoring
its natural ecology and beauty.
Provide public access through specified parking and picnic areas, walking and running trails, and regulations
meant to protect the natural aspects of the park.
Encourage community use of the park by providing access from adjacent neighborhoods.
Restore and maintain natural drainage to protect trails and reduce sediment erosion.
Eliminate/control invasive species and restore area to a more natural Texas Hill Country environment.
Removal of fallen or dead trees when they restrict access or may be potential safety hazards to structures or
park visitors.
Minimize human impact on sensitive areas of the park, while providing public access and educational
opportunities.
5. The Master Plan Process
(borrowed heavily from the Blue Hole Regional Park Master Plan)
(see also the Master Plan for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space – Dripping Springs)
The Charro Ranch Park Partners Committee will work together to create ideas and seek expertise to provide input to
direct the master planning process. It will be a continuous reassessment process of determining and prioritizing projects.
The tasks consist of:
1. Clearly defining goals and objectives.
2. Understanding the ecological, recreational, and economic opportunities and constraints of the park.
3. Developing a plan that ensures that the many proposed uses of the park are both economically and ecologically
sustainable.
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4. Arranging park improvements in a way that works efficiently for the community and is true to the integrity of the
site.
5. Creating a synergy among park activities that links the park to the surrounding region—the park is greater than the
sum of its parts.
6. Guiding future park use and development to meet community needs while honoring the natural environment.
6. History
Charro Ranch was in the Crenshaw and Hibberd family for about 50 years. Ms. Hibberd and
her family have a history of philanthropy, including parks. Ms. Hibberd had developed
some trails, created areas for reflection at the Walk of Peace and Solstice Circle, and posted
signs indicating some of the tree types. Lucy Reed Hibberd donated Charro Ranch Park to
the City of Dripping Springs in December 2008. The park was officially deeded to the City
on 12/29/2008. Announcements were published in area media in April 2009.
City of Drippings Community Newsletter – The Gateway – Spring 2009 – “DS
Received Generous Park Land Donation – Charro Ranch Park to be Utilized for
Passive Recreation”
Dripping Springs Babble – “City of Dripping Springs receives its largest donation:
Charro Ranch Park”
Austin American Statesman – Hill Country Rambler – April 30, 2009 – “Land
donated for Dripping Springs park”
Since the donation, the City of Dripping Springs Parks & Recreation Commission has been charged with determining the
use of the park. See Exhibit A attached to this plan for some of the progress in the park by various stakeholders (dates
are approximate and costs do not include the extensive donated volunteer labor).
7. The Site
Charro Ranch Park is in southern Dripping Springs. The
address is 22690 W. FM 150, Driftwood, Texas, 78619.
The site is 64.73 acres and is located between Oak
Springs Drive on the west, Woods Loop on the east, and
borders on FM 150 on the south.
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Charro Ranch Park
park boundary
FM 150
trees of interest
Formerly a working ranch, the site is a mix of ecological regions. It is mostly savanna grassland and Juniper and Oak
woodlands. The park is a natural drainage basin for surrounding properties and has a pond area that fills in wet
weather. Between the pond and FM 150, the wet weather creek forms a boggy area with uncommon wet-weather
plants and ecology.
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8. Uses
Recreation
Charro Ranch Park should be available for lots of outdoor recreation:
Cross Country Track training and exercise running.
Walking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography.
Geo Caching is at Charro Ranch Park.
No motorized vehicles are allowed past designated parking area.
Change to new GPS mapped trail map… add bird blind, Kiosk, parking lot, picnic tables???
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Indian Grass
Bushy Bluestem
Grey Fox
Environment
Native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses abound in the park. The park sits on porous limestone rock serving as drainage
for the area and likely a recharge zone for the aquifer below. Many species of both native and migratory birds can be
found in the park.
Uncommon boggy area Arapahoe Grass has been identified in the wet-weather drainage. The park includes nice
Blackjack Oaks and Post Oaks, in addition to common Live Oak, Spanish Oak, Cedar Elm, Redbud and Texas Persimmon.
Also on the property are Indian Grass and Arapahoe Grass in the fen wetland area.
117 species of birds have been documented with more having been reported. Birds nesting in the park include Painted
Buntings, Summer Tanagers, Crested Caracara, Great-horned Owl, Eastern Screech Owls, Red-shouldered Hawk, and
Black-chinned Hummingbirds
Some of the interesting bird sightings are White Pelicans, Harris's Hawk, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-headed
Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-breasted Chat, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Merlin.
Painted Bunting
Cedar Waxwings
Educational Opportunity
The environmental diversity of the park affords many opportunities for education. The Hays County Master Naturalists
have held class site-visits at the park and are leading interpretive walks/talks and Bird Talk for the public on the
property. Future Master Naturalist educational opportunities include: talks about medicinal and edible uses for plants;
insects; amphibians; mammals; migration and hibernation; and star gazing.
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Dripping Springs ISD may be interested in the educational opportunities at Charro Ranch Park. Initial ideas are science
classes, the environmental club and the journalism department.
Reflection
The Solstice Circle and Walk of Peace, created by Lucy Reed Hibberd, are areas for learning about our place in the
universe and reflecting on peace on this planet. A quiet walk through the fields and woods is nourishment for the soul.
9. Facilities
As the vision is to promote a natural Hill Country experience, there are limited facilities on the grounds.
Currently there are:
One rented portable toilet.
Three picnic tables.
One trash can.
A bird viewing station.
A doggie waste station.
Fencing with gates to limit vehicular access to the park.
An information kiosk.
Rules signs.
Non-potable water.
10.
Projects
Prioritized Projects
1. Maintain existing trails.
2. Continue removal of invasive species. A Chinaberry tree near the parking lot and one in the northwest draw in the
park need to be removed.
3. Finish and maintain trail-head native plant demonstration garden.
4. Enlarge and square off the parking lot. Once done , finish the fence around the perimeter of the parking lot.
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5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Determine placement for disabled parking and signage.
Add a second trash can.
Name trails with signage and post directional marker signs for improved navigation.
Stabilize Peace symbol.
Create a comprehensive map of trails and facilities. GPS plotted maps would be best.
Create interpretive signs for the Solstice Circle, Walk of Peace, plants, geology, rainwater guzzler, a possible Eloo
(evaporative toilet), rainwater collection and other opportunities as they come along.
11. Remove big stump from “overflow” parking area and expand to allow bus parking.
12. Designate an area for a future pavilion area.
13. Explore installing a composting toilet or evaporative toilet (Eloo).
Future Projects
Facilities:
Pick up trash found in the park.
Installation of benches and more picnic tables.
Plan the pavilion feasibility:
o Size
o How to be funded
o How to be used / rented
o Could it include rainwater collection off roof
o How will the rainwater be used
o Materials
o Etc.
Add sign-in / comment / “what I saw in the park” sheet to the kiosk.
Identify additional trail options.
An amphitheater to provide a meeting place for group introduction and orientation.
Determine need for bridge/culvert over fen for the cross country trail.
Environmental:
Determine if prescribed burns would be beneficial to the fields to control invasive King
Ranch Bluestem and Narrow Leaf Marsh Elder etc.
Identification of flora and fauna in the area. These actions could be coordinated with other
Dripping Springs parks, specifically Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Founders Memorial
Park.
Continue participation in Great Backyard Bird Count.
Continue participation in Ebirds - a monthly count of bird species.
Identify and label trees, grasses, other plants. Enter these into the LBJ Wildflower Center’s
NPIN collection (Native Plant Identification index).
Continue removal of hazardous dead and diseased trees.
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Removal of junipers to encourage native grass and understory growth. This would be especially good between
parking area and the creek to open the area around the bird viewing station and around the wet-weather pond.
There are other places in the interior of the park that could benefit from thinning of the junipers as well.
Determine if creation of habitat areas for various types of wildlife is desired.
Investigate geologic features of the park. Do an environmental & geological assessment. Determine where flood
plain and water quality buffer zones may exist.
Identify and scope out location of fen. Determine if any restoration effort would benefit the fen.
Mark sensitive and interesting areas on a map.
Develop and implement a land management plan to restore and manage the native flora.
Plant native trees to replace lost canopy.
Plant native grasses and forbs.
Restore native prairie in field.
Restore and protect the rare fen habitat.
Educational:
Continue to develop and lead walking docent tours on plants, birds, geology, photography, ecology, etc.
Create educational signage for environmental features.
Build rainwater collection demonstration facility (?) (See pavilion plan above).
Create educational signage for the Solstice Circle.
Star Gazer Program.
Develop and deliver programming for residential and small acreage landowners and professional residential
landscapers and developers to explain benefits, techniques and cost savings of habitat conservation.
Promote urban forestry techniques to prevent and mitigate oak wilt and diseased trees and to encourage planting of
native tree and woodland species.
Demonstrate water quality and conservation techniques and benefits of restoring native prairie vegetation and
woodland canopy.
Demonstrate the detrimental effects of invasive species and the benefits/importance of native habitat to sustain
biodiversity.
Develop youth group partnerships:
o Partner with 4-H Natural Resources Club, DSISD Science, Environmental Clubs, etc.
11.
Workday Participation
To accomplish all these projects, the Charro Ranch Park Partners Committee encourages workdays. Workdays have
been led by various groups -- the Hays County Master Naturalists, cross country teams, and the National Honor Society.
Boy Scouts working to obtain the Eagle Scout award and Girl Scouts working on Silver and Gold awards or 4-H
participants could take on some projects. Potential scout projects include trail markers, benches, interpretive signs and
potentially Eloo or composting toilets.
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The Hays County Master Naturalists lead a community workday in the morning on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
These are publicized in the local newspapers and on local websites. The City of Dripping Springs could publicized them
in the City’s newsletter and website.
12.
Funding
To accomplish the projects identified in this Master Plan, funding for the park needs to increase. Funding from the City
of Dripping Springs will depend on priorities and the annual budgets.
Seek out grants available to improve the park and implement programs.
Create a stakeholder group for fundraising and grant writing.
Identify and develop activities and events to raise funds for the park.
13. Park Rules
Park's Hours: Dawn to Dusk
See Dripping Springs Park Rules Ordinance: http://z2.franklinlegal.net/drippingsprings-flp/
Specifically, see Chapter 16 PUBLIC WAYS AND PLACES; ARTICLE 16.02 PARKS AND RECREATION; Division 2. Park Rules;
Sections 16.02.031 – 16.02.065.
14.
Revision History
1.10 - 06/14/2011
Original version approved by Charro Park Partners Committee, Parks & Recreation Commission & City Council.
2.01 – 03/10/2013
Revised 2013 draft.
2.02A – 03/12/2013
Removed Scott Davis and added Shelley Reeves to DS Parks & Rec Commission list
Removed “DSISD” from Rich Moore’s listing
Added typo of copying previous bullet to title of section 5 “The master Plan Process.”
Added cost for Oak Wilt trenching and trench washout repairs.
Noted that Donna Moore donated time to design the brochure
Corrected cost of the rainwater guzzler from $178 to $200
Clarified description and costs doneby Lucy Reed Hibberd.
Added and corrected City’s costs for the culvert, signs and portable toilet
Added costs reported for Eagle Scout projects.
Added donations of labor and limestone to fencing and bird viewing station projects.
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Added costs for Girl Scout Silver project.
Added costs for kiosk enhancement.
Added line item and cost for tree removal.
Added line item for approval of outreach and training programs
Corrected outreach topics to those specifically approved.
Added non-potable water to the list of facilities.
Typo corrections and minor rewording throughout.
2.02B – 3/21/2013
Moved History of park Progress section to Exhibit A at the end in the document.
Per recent Charro Ranch Park Committee meeting, updated Prioritized Project to reflect
o Parking lot will be squared off,
o Increased priority for naming trails and posting trail markers
Formalized a Section 12 for Funding
2.03 – 03/27/2013
Removed typo added in 2.02A for in Section 5’s “The Master Plan Process” title.
Added itemization of changes to Revision History.
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Exhibit A - History of Park Progress
Dates
Cost
Project
2010-2011
$18,189
The first priority was to deal with Oak Wilt found on the property.
Trees were treated and trenches were dug in two phases, the last
in January of 2011 by Oak Wilt Specialists of Texas.
M. Lee Brown presented a request for Hays County Master
Naturalist volunteers to participate in the park planning and
development. Their interest was to make Charro Ranch Park a
destination for Dripping Springs citizens to learn about their
environment and to create projects for Master Naturalists to
achieve their required volunteer hours.
Dripping Springs High School National Honor Society adopted the
park for volunteer opportunities in the 2010-11 and 2011-12
school years and energetically spread mulch to enhance existing
trails, expanded the Walk of Peace stepping stones, and carried
juniper logs to be used for entrance fencing.
11/8/2010
2010-12
Nov 2010 Feb 2011
The Dripping Springs High School and Middle School track teams
and volunteers cleared a cross country trail.
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Mar 2011
Poles and chain installed to restrict vehicular traffic
Apr 2011
Committee created a brochure to promote the park at the
Dripping Springs’ Founders Day event and at other opportunities.
Donna Moore donated her time to design the brochure.
First edition of the Charro Ranch Park Master Plan approved by
City Council.
M. Lee Brown built a rainwater guzzler as a water source for park
animals.
6-14- 2011
July 2011
$200
Fall 2011
Fall 2011
Dec 2011
– Jan 2012
$30,000
$800 donated by
Lucy Reed
Hibberd for
fencing.
$1,000 labor
donated by RickRob Trucking for
mulch, trail
extension, and
parking area.
$5,000 donated
by Lucy Reed
Hibberd and
Lucy Reed Hibberd replaced the old entrance sign that had
incorrect longitude and latitude.
Lucy Reed Hibberd donated improvements to the solstice circle.
Lucy Reed Hibberd donated a new entrance, re-routed the
driveway and built a gated fence blocking vehicular access to the
trails. As part of this process, the dumped limestone millings and
road debris was removed from the property.
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$500 labor
donated by RickRob Trucking for
new entrance
and driveway.
$350 donated by
Garry Child for fill
removal.
$2,000 paid by
City for culverts
and concrete end
caps.
May 2012
$149
$83/mo
New fence, parking and entrance
This old fill was removed!
City installed park rules and parking signs and a sign restricting
trailer access.
City rents one portable toilet which sits between the driveway and
the parking lot.
Volunteers enlarging the parking lot.
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Summer
2012
$200 by City
$246 donated
$1,800 total donated
labor and materials.
Garry & Anne Child installed a park gate and built a low fence
lining driveway and heading from highway towards parking lot. The
fence will eventually enclose the parking lot.
Spring
2012
$1,024
TJ (Thomas) Kendzora’s Eagle Scout Project – TJ built a kiosk and
trail head signage.
Spring
2012
$2,728
Kyle Bagwell’s Eagle Scout project – Kyle built picnic tables, and
installed a trash can and mileage markers on cross-country trail.
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Fall –
Winter
2012
$1,500 grant
from the
Dripping Springs
Community
Foundation
$1,000 grant
from Pedernales
Electric
Cooperative –
Community
Grants Program
$500 donated by
Michael McGown
in memory of
Charles O’Dell.
$500 donated in
limestone from
Rich Moore
Family.
$5,700 labor
donated by Hays
County Master
Naturalists.
$250 from City
for water tank.
M. Lee Brown and Jim Donohoe designed and led the building of a
bird viewing station, which includes rainwater collection for a bird
water feature. M. Lee Brown secured grants to fund the project.
Rachel Kadlecek & Jacqueline Six from Girl Scout troop 2302
installed a directional sign to the station, bird feeders and created
a bird identification book for the station.
$90 trail sign
$82 bird field
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guide
Ribbon cutting ceremony 1-19-2013
Fall 2012
$759
Fall 2012
$500 materials
City repaired a washout of the oak wilt trench with further repairs
performed by the Hays County Master Naturalists volunteers.
Rob Hayden designed and built a new park entrance sign (see
picture on title page).
11-5-2012
Mammal survey training
11-6-2012
1-30-2013
Plant and Tree Survey training
$138
City installed a Doggie Station with bags for collecting waste.
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Feb-Mar
2013
$33 donated
plumbing
$66 tank base
$800 tank
$90/load for
water
$64 wildflower
seed
$103 habiturf
4 yds. of compost
donated by Lady
Bug
Total cost to be
calculated when
complete.
Jan 2013
$67 materials
Feb 2013
Feb 2013
$1,200
A native plant trail-head demonstration garden has been planned
by Hays County Master Naturalists and progress has begun. The
City paid for a water tank, which has been installed and filled.
Rob Hayden enhanced the kiosk with cork backing and shadowbox
type lids on both sides.
City removed hazardous dead trees
City approved Hays County Master Naturalists Educational
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Outreach and Advanced Training Programs for the year.
Walk & Talk about Edible and Medicinal plants at the park
conducted by Hays County Master Naturalists. Approximately 40
people participated.
Master Naturalists are holding monthly workdays the 2nd Saturday
of each month, inviting the community to participate. In addition
to other projects in this list they:
created a website:
https://sites.google.com/site/thecharroranchparkproject/
and a facebook fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/CharroRanchPark
Continued trail maintenance
3-13-2013
3-15-2013
2011-2013
Cleared the parking area
$38
Filled in oak wilt trench holes
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Turned part of the oak wilt trench into a trail
Blocked off oak wilt trenches where entry is not desired.
Continued removal of invasive species such as Johnson Grass,
King Ranch Bluestem Grass and Horehound.
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Removed junipers to encourage grass and understory plant
growth.
Mulched cut brush
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