By Chris Shadrock
The natural charm of the Texas Hill Country and Boerne is no mystery. It is what drew our founders here in the 1850s and quickly turned Boerne into a retreat community with its healthy restorative properties and beautiful scenery. Today, that same charm appeals to those same multi-generational families, as well as our newest neighbors.
Keeping and maintaining that community charm and small town feel rated highly in the City of Boerne’s 2023 Citizen Survey.
When asked to choose in which areas should the City devote more time and resources, residents wanted to see more dedicated enhancements at City parks and open space, with 60 percent selecting it as the most important item. Boerne City Lake came in at 29 percent, recreational programs for all at 25 percent, and the Cibolo Nature Center and City Municipal Pool rounded out the top five at 23 and 16 percent.
Enhancing Green Space
Several residents noted in the 2023 Citizen Survey that the City should clean out Cibolo Creek at River Road Park and prioritize oak wilt tree management.
Incorporating this feedback, the City began the River Road Bank Stabilization project in September 2023 with several focus areas, the first being the stabilization and restoration of the bank of Cibolo Creek which had eroded significantly over the years.
More than 300 limestone blocks each weighing more than a ton were placed along the creek edge as part of the effort to restore and fortify the creek edge. More clearly defined pedestrian access points were prioritized along with a buffer space between the sidewalk and the water to maintain the creek edge. Thousands of native plants and vegetation were also planted to improve stormwater runoff.
The renovations, which go beyond landscaping to include new interpretive signs, a 250-foot pedestrian boardwalk, and three additional fishing piers, also focus on unseen improvements like the removal of 4,000 cubic yards sediment from the creek bed.
Further demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability, 10 aerators were placed in the creek to increase dissolved oxygen levels in the water and improve conditions for aquatic life.
Oak Wilt Management
In the Planning Department, the City’s environmental program manager has enhanced the City’s attention to oak wilt management, with a focus on mitigation, outreach, and education.
By increasing knowledge on how to spot the signs of oak wilt, residents can be proactive and apply for the Oak Wilt Management Incentive Program. The program helps residents treat trees that have oak wilt or assist in the removal to prevent the spread of the disease to healthy trees.
Additional continuing education has been made available to residents in partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to host Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters classes. The courses help ensure residents are empowered to properly manage turf grass, which helps reduce water consumption and usage of pesticides.
Preserving Our Charm
Intertwined with Boerne’s natural beauty is its community charm, most notably present in the historic downtown. Preserving that charm is only possible through intentional planning and partnering with the community.
The City of Boerne has helped property owners in the downtown Historic District with the cost of building improvements through the Historic District Improvement Program (HDIP) for many years.
This past spring, a project at the 1884 Dienger Building to repair and replace rotting wood on the exterior pillars and balcony decking qualified for the HDIP grant program.
The program assists with three to six projects each year and aligns with the City’s vision to promote historic stewardship and maintain our unique community charm.
Planning for the Future
Additionally, the City has partnered with the Boerne Parks Association to advance improvements at City Park and to help raise the money necessary for improvements at Waterworks Terrace next to Main Plaza.
In response to the second highest rated priority – beautification – Boerne City Council approved the Urban Corridor Design and Enhancement Guide in Spring 2024.
The guide is a resource for City staff, developers, and design professionals who plan and develop urban corridor infrastructure improvements. Although the scope of this study addressed 11 specific locations, the intent would be for these principles to be applied to all appropriate urban corridor locations.
The City has also received land dedications from several developers for future parks and trail extensions, including 28 acres at Esperanza for a future public park and approximately eight acres for trail extensions along Browns Creek and Frederick Creek.
These plans and more are ensuring residents’ voices are incorporated into the daily work and future of parks and green space in the City of Boerne.
