As Texas’s population soars, many communities are feeling the growing pains of rapid development. Here in booming Austin that manifests as condos, condos, condos and traffic, traffic, traffic. But smaller towns also feel the pinch, not least in terms of lost green space.

In Horseshoe Bay, a lake-resort town in the Hill Country west of Austin, one neighborhood recently banded together to keep 11 acres of native grasses, live oaks, and junipers from being paved over for condos. Thanks to benefactors John and Sandra Smith, who donated the use of the land, and businesses that discounted their services, as well as significant community fundraising, Horseshoe Bay West neighbors preserved the land as a nature park — one that’s open to the public, not just neighborhood residents.

I drove out to Horseshoe Bay Nature Park a week ago to walk the trail. I also spoke with Sarah Yant, principal of Twistleaf, who led the design development and construction of Phase 1 of the park.

A half-mile loop trail winds through the park’s prairie grassland and woodland.

Sarah says the park is a naturalist’s dream. The park features 8 distinct ecological zones with different plants, topography, and wildlife habitat.

Birding is encouraged with a bird blind overlooking a pond, nesting boxes for bluebirds and screech owls, chimney swift roosting towers, and a rainwater-collecting wildlife watering station. Birds that have been spotted at the park include painted buntings, black-bellied whistling ducks, Bell’s vireos, summer tanagers, and vermilion flycatchers.

In late January, the native grasses bend and swirl in winter hues of russet and tan. Live oaks and junipers (aka cedars) remain olive green through winter, while deciduous trees like cedar elm lift bare branches to the sky.

Cool weather, light-catching grasses, and cloudless blue skies make winter my favorite hiking season in Texas.

Sarah says environmental planner Elizabeth McGreevy‘s work was key to developing the property as a nature park: “[Her] ecological site analysis unearthed the park’s true character, revealing its distinct ecozones and unique qualities. Elizabeth crafted a plan to preserve and maintain the park’s vitality while serving both the needs of the community and the ecosystem.”

Granite outcropping, and an observation pavilion at the top of the hill

Near the parking lot we stopped to check out an analemmatic sundial installed by a Boy Scout Troop. I’d never seen one before, and naturally I had to try it out by standing in the right spot and seeing if my shadow pointed to the correct time. It was pretty close.

Twistleaf also worked on the design of the park’s website, which is informative and engaging. Sarah encourages parents and grandparents to check out the kids’ page, which contains activities to encourage young birders, artists, and explorers. It also recommends age-appropriate books about nature.

Horseshoe Bay Nature Park is located at 1514 Golden Nugget in Horseshoe Bay. Admission to the park is free, and it’s open from sunrise to sunset. Amenities include a small parking lot, porta-potty, water fountain, and benches along the trail.

Kudos to the community and those who donated to bring the dream of a park to fruition, preserving green space for wildlife and for the public. May their example inspire others.

__________________________

Digging Deeper

Need design help with your yard? Hire me as your personal garden coach! Maybe you need replacement plant ideas after the big freeze. Or maybe your landscaping has grown tired, and you want fresh curb appeal. Or perhaps you’re ready to get rid of some lawn and create a pollinator garden, bird habitat, or hangout space for you and your friends. I’m here to help! Contact me to let me know what’s going on, and let’s figure it out together. My range is Austin and suburbs within a 25-min. drive of NW Austin, but I’m flexible and can travel farther with a surcharge, so let me know where you are. Weekday morning appts. only.

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!

All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.