CALL TO ACTION: Support Expansion of Purgatory Creek Natural Area

Join SMGA in support of the expansion of Purgatory Creek Natural Area by emailing your county commissioners to support using Hays County Parks Bond funds for this amazing 600-acre opportunity. The Trust for Public Land has put together a proposal that requests only $950,000 of the $3,200,000 remaining parks bond funds for this almost $9 million project (with much of the remaining money to come from an  application to U.S. Fish and Wildlife). Acquisition of this land will add 600 acres for recreation activities to San Marcos and Hays County, including hiking, biking, and camping in prime hill country property.

Of all the projects vying for park bond funds, we feel this one gets the county the most bang for the buck and best reflects the bond for "parks, natural areas, open space, and related projects, and the preservation of water quality, aquifer recharge areas, and wildlife habitat" passed by county voters in 2007.

If you have any questions, please contact us at alliance@smgreenbelt.org. Please email your commissioners today! Tell them you want your parks bond money spent on the expansion of Purgatory Creek Natural Area.

Here is our letter of support for the Purgatory expansion:

The San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance (SMGA) is proud to support the acquisition of over 600 acres of habitat and recharge area adjacent to the Purgatory Creek Natural Area. This project’s goals complement and expand our organization’s mission which is to create and conserve an interconnected system of parks and natural areas for our community and future generations. The preservation of this area, which would more than double the existing Purgatory Creek Natural Area would expand the habitat for endangered species, protect area in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, and expand the passive recreation activities including hiking, camping, and picnicking. In addition, its connectivity to a larger hike and bike system make this a project that we are proud to support.

The San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance has partnered with the City of San Marcos on the development of trails in almost 1,000 existing acres of natural areas. Our trail building techniques keep habitat and water recharge protection in mind at all times. SMGA will design and develop the trail in accordance to any habitat and archaeological restrictions, while keeping in mind the experience of the trail user. This project presents a real opportunity for SMGA to further garner appreciation of the natural world and show off the beauty and natural heritage of the area to all of the citizens of Hays County. The San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance offers its support for the acquisition of the 600 acres adjacent to the Purgatory Creek Natural Area and partnership for the trail development with the City of San Marcos.