Bull Creek Foundation

Paradise Lost - Bull Creek District Park

2011-09-04T15:17:00.001-05:00

Ben Wear wrote this article in the Sunday 9/4/11 Austin American Statesman on Bull Creek District Park
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/paradise-lost-1818477.html
There is a really neat historical video on this page showing what the park used to be.
Or you can play it with this link:
http://tinyurl.com/3cjt7cy

Volunteer Work Days

2011-08-31T16:47:00.006-05:00

Here are the scheduled volunteer work days for Fall 2011 and 2012:

Sunday 10/23 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Saturday 11/12 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Sunday 12/11 9 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Saturday 1/21 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Sunday 2/19 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Saturday 3/17 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Sunday 4/15 - 9 AM-12 Noon
Saturday 5/12 - 9 AM-12 Noon

The normal work time will be 9 AM-12 Noon.
The meeting point will be 5350 Old Spicewood Springs Rd. 78731 unless otherwise announced.
Google Map is at http://tinyurl.com/3yk7fog
Schedule changes will be announced here and via email about 10 days before a work day.
We will start at 8 AM on 9/17 to take advantage of the cooler early part of the day.
If you'd like to participate, respond by email to gsnsj AT sbcglobal DOT net so we can plan tools and refreshments.

We will be happy to accommodate special group requests for other dates/times.
Please contact us at bullcreekvolunteers AT gmail dot com

July-August Volunteer Opportunities

2011-07-16T08:39:00.003-05:00

Below you will find the work party schedule for the next few weeks.

JULY

22 7:00 AM Invasives along Creek Nature Trail. Volunteers needed: 3

23 6:30 AM Large ligustrum at St Eds. Volunteers needed: 10

AUGUST

7 7:00 AM Paper Mulberry - by parking lot near 7900 Loop 360. Volunteers needed: 10

Additional work parties form as interested individuals suggest them.
Please let me know if you'd like to schedule a specific date and time.

If you'd like to participate, respond by email to gsnsj AT sbcglobal DOT net

George Innis

Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt Schedule

2011-06-25T22:45:00.002-05:00

Below you will find the Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt Schedule for the next couple of weeks. Check it out, see where you'd like to participate, and respond by email to George Innis at
gsnsj at sbcglobal dot net

JUNE
28 Nothing yet scheduled.
If you'd like to help out, let me know, and we'll set up a time and an activity.

30 6 PM Ligustrum removal. Volunteers needed: 2 more.

JULY
2 Nothing yet scheduled.
If you'd like to help out, let me know, and we'll set up a time and an activity.

3 7 AM Chinaberry removal. Volunteers needed: 1 more.

4 Nothing yet scheduled.
If you'd like to help out, let me know, and we'll set up a time and an activity.

5 Early Underbrush thinning. Volunteers needed: 2 more.

7 Early Wire removal. Volunteers needed: 2 more.

6 PM Invasive survey at St Eds. Volunteers needed: 0.

8 Nothing yet scheduled.
If you'd like to help out, let me know, and we'll set up a time and an activity.

9 Early Invasive removal. Volunteers needed: 3 more.

10 Early Remove down cedar. Volunteers needed: 2 more.

Your Personal Fire ProtectionPlan

2011-05-26T22:16:00.006-05:00

Austin's drought has created a tinder box for wild fires.
We have lots of open space that is dry and combustible.
Ready, Set, Go brochure is your personal fire protection plan.
Please view it and study it at
http://tinyurl.com/3arhrp9
Protect you and your family and neighbors.
Have a safe Summer!

Eagle Scout Court of Honor May 21

2011-05-22T22:31:00.007-05:00

Akash Thaker got his Eagle Scout award Saturday May 21. He's in the center of the picture along with his fellow new Eagle Scouts and NASA Astronaut Suni Williams who was the guest speaker. At 195 days she holds the record for longest time by a woman in space. She will be going to the Space Station again in 2012 on a Russian Soyuz craft. Akash's Eagle project was to identify and place a map and markers locating native and invasive plants, flowers and trees for public education on the Bull Creek Greenbelt trail adjacent to the parking area and rest rooms at the SE corner of 360 and Spicewood Springs Road. He and his Troop 454 did a superb job. Congratulations Akash!

Work Day May 14

2011-05-14T22:30:00.007-05:00

We had a superb work day May 14. Our diverse group of young to old volunteers blazed a new trail link and cleared the under story of a grand old cottonwood tree. Here's the group having a rest break and snack halfway through the project

Got My Eye on You

2011-04-20T07:51:00.005-05:00

Taken at Bull Creek April, 2011 by Jane Caldwell

Workday Saturday April 9, 2011 9-12

2011-04-02T14:58:00.003-05:00

Join us for a Spring workday at Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt on Saturday April 9, 9 am to 12 noon.
It is one of the Keep Austin Beautiful's Clean Sweep locations.
The workday launch location is at http://tinyurl.com/3qocxl6
Our volunteers will include employees from REI.
There will be Clean Sweep T-shirts for all who register beforehand with KAB at
http://tinyurl.com/3wugjrt
Parking will be at a premium, so please come early and carpool.
We will remove invasives and thin vegetation under hardwoods, much as we did on March 13.
The REI crew will help remove large China Berry trees that are close to waterways. The storm last September flattened many of these invasives.
Please wear clothing suitable for working at this site, a hat and sunscreen. Be sure to bring a water bottle.
Snacks and water jugs will be provided at break, about 10:30 am.
Please let us know you are coming so we have enough tools and snacks.
Please email project leader George Innis at gsnsj AT sbcglobal DOT net

March 5 It's My Park Day

2011-02-22T19:53:00.002-06:00

On March 5 Austin Parks Foundation sponsors
Its My Park Day, IMPD. We'll have two projects.
7-9 AM and 9 AM - Noon
===========================================
Rock D-Lot
Meet at the unpaved parking lot off 360 at http://tinyurl.com/66z66ce
has some large rocks that threaten vehicle's oil pans, transmissions, exhaust systems, etc. This IMPD project will break up the larger rocks, remove them and some others, and fill and level the holes.
It is scheduled for 7-9 on March 5 so that we can finish before the weekend crowd arrives. We will provide wheelbarrow, rock bars, shovels, pick, and tamping tools. We'll also arrange for an electric jack-hammer and generator to make shorter work of the rock breaking effort.
Rubbish need only be moved to the edge of the parking area and good fill material is nearby on the creek bank.
=====================================
Show Bull Creek Some Love with CA Technologies

(CA is an IMPD Sponsor). Leaders Bill Talbot and Jerry Levenson.
Meet at The unpaved parking lot off 360 at http://tinyurl.com/66z66ce
The theme of this year’s It’s My Park Day is “Love Your Park” so let’s show nearby Bull Creek Park some love because it definitely needs it. Join in for a fun and
rewarding morning of volunteering as we repair trails and parking lots, and clear out invasive species (ligustrum, mostly) that are running wild. This will be fairly energetic work, so come prepared: old clothes, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle (water will be provided).

Please join us.
To do so you sign up at:
http://tinyurl.com/67cf56h

Search:
D-Rock D-Lot (for 7-9 am)
Show Bull Creek Some Love with CA Technologies (for 9-12)

Wear close toed shoes or boots, long pants (jeans), long sleeved
shirt, hat, gloves, and eye protection. Wear sunscreen. Bring a
water bottle. BCF will provide tools plus snack and a water tank
at the break.

To help assure a good supply of tools, water, and treats, please
notify bullcreekvolunteers AT gmail DOT.com by the Thursday before
the work day that you will joining us.

See you on the trails!

January 15 Work Day 9-12

2010-12-02T07:52:00.004-06:00

Please Join us January 15, 9AM - 12 Noon.

Invasive plants, primarily Japanese and Chinese privet (aka ligustrum), continue to be a central focus in our management efforts. Trail and erosion damage repair are next on the priority list and several wire removal projects remain.

We’ll organize into small (3-6 person) crews working individually or in groups on larger tasks.

Please note our starting location which is marked by the blue pin in the map at
http://tinyurl.com/65oww9k

Tools, gloves, treats for break time, and water will be provided.
We need extra wheelbarrows, shovels and picks, so please bring these if you have them.

Please advise George Innis at gsnsj at sbcglobal dot net before by Friday January 14 if you are coming, so he can plan the necessary tools and snacks.

Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 Volunteer Work Days

2010-08-26T16:11:00.009-05:00

Work days at the north end of Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt are planned for 9 AM to 12 noon Sept. 11, Oct. 16. Nov. 13, Nov. 14, Dec. 11, Jan. 15, Feb. 12, Mar. 5, Mar. 12, Apr. 9 and May 14.

We will gather at the paved parking lot East of Hwy 360 on Old Spicewood Springs Road which is marked by the red pin in this map or by entering 5312 Old Spicewood Springs Rd 78731 in Google Maps

Wear close toed shoes or boots, long pants (jeans), long sleeved shirt, hat, gloves, and eye protection. Wear sunscreen. Bring a water bottle.

BCF will provide tools plus snack and a water tank at the break.

To help assure a good supply of tools, water, and treats, please notify bullcreekvolunteers at gmail dot com by the Thursday before each work day that you will joining us.

George Innis

Friday August 13 12:00 noon Clean-Up

2010-08-04T23:01:00.002-05:00

The Adopt-a-Creek group from nearby Brown and Caldwell consultants, led by Anna Whiting, will host a clean up Friday August 13 at 12:00 noon.
Meeting spot is on the west side of 360 between Lakewood Dr and Spicewood Springs Road.
Google Maps address 7872 State Highway Loop 360 Austin TX
http://tinyurl.com/ktso7r
Meet on the north side of the creek at the parking lot.
Please reply to bullcreekvolunteers at gmail dot com if you plan to join us.
Come on out and enjoy a stroll on the trail during your lunch hour.

May 15 Volunteer Work Day

2010-04-25T22:38:00.001-05:00

Project leader George Innis has scheduled a work day at the Bull Creek Greenbelt trail May 15. The work will be from 9 AM - 12 Noon. Each outing will concentrate on some combination of trash removal (inside the park and along the road, including 360), vegetation management (removal of exotics like ligustrum, nandina, chinaberry and Chinese tallow and thinning cedar), wire removal and trail maintenance (moving vegetation back from trails, creek crossing repair, and erosion control).
The meeting spot is at 5340 Old Spicewood Springs Rd Austin, TX 78731
The Google map location is http://tinyurl.com/ydtuurj
Let us know that you plan to come help by emailing a few days ahead of each date to George at
gsnsj AT sbcglobal DOT net

Web Surf and then Visit Great Hills Park

2009-09-12T16:33:00.002-05:00

Great Hills Park is one of NW Austin's best neighborhood parks
http://www.greathillspark.org
Created by the idea and hard work of Marie Laing, who also help co-author the City's Adopt A Park Program and a cadre of committed stakeholders, this is a magnificent park.
It has native landscaping, a trail, play scape, pavilion, picnic tables and two chimney swift towers.
There is a wonderful picture page "plants of Great Hills Park" page at
http://www.greathillspark.org/plantphotos/
Check it out!

Check Out EcoTexas

2009-06-30T16:49:00.002-05:00

Take a look at http://www.ecotx.org
Lots of good information there on native plants and invasive species.

We Need Your Help

2008-02-19T20:29:00.001-06:00

We Need Your Help
We are looking for individuals, families, companies, groups to "adopt" a part of our parks and trails.
Each volunteer group will help to patrol, detrash, improve and maintain the parks and trails with a little of their time, which can be planned events or on your own when you have time.
We already have one adopting group, employees of Brown and Caldwell have adopted 1/4 mile of the Bull Creek trail on the west side of 360, going south from the low water crossing.
Areas needing adoption are:
1. the District Park (leash free doggie park) on Lakewood Drive,
2. the trail from there to 360 and Lakewood Dr.,
3. the trail on the west side of 360 north from Lakewood Dr.,
4. the trail on the east side of 360 to Spicewood Springs Road,
5. the new Smith Memorial trail west of 360,
6. St. Edward's Park and trail, about 2.5 miles west of 360,
7. St. Edward's mountain bike trail,
8. St. Edward's 1 mile trail going north from the park.
9. NW Balcones Park and Trail
10. Mountainview Park and Trail
Please sign up and become a part of an adoption team!
Send an email to bullcreekvolunteers at gmail dot com
and let us know which of these you would like to help take care of with a little of your time now and then.
We will help those who volunteer to connect with each other and plan their activities, and provide tools as needed.
Make helping Bull Creek your 2008 resolution!
Skip Cameron, President

Trail now open daily!

2007-11-10T13:20:00.000-06:00

The Bull Creek Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) Trail, aka the Matthew and Hazeltine Smith Trail, is now open daily for your hiking, running and biking pleasure. Please be aware that our special agreement between the City of Austin and the Bull Creek Foundation prohibits dogs, fishing, swimming or picnicing. We apologize in advance for these prohibitions, but all of these activities are allowed on the Bull Creek Greenbelt, a 3.5 mile trail, just a short walk away. (We maintain both trails.)

Please remember too that the trail was built and is being maintained by volunteers from the Bull Creek Foundation so please let us know if you see something that either needs to be improved or corrected.

Map to Bull Creek WQPL Trail:
View Larger Map

Thank you!

Photos from Grand Opening of Trail - 11.09.07

2007-11-09T19:30:00.000-06:00

History of the Stenis Tract (Bull Creek WQPL)

2007-11-08T19:54:00.000-06:00

History of this tract

This 60 acre tract of land with Bull Creek running through the middle of it is known as the Stenis Tract for it's owners Tom and Rowena Stenis and her brother Llewellyn Smith. Rowena and Llewellyn's parents Matthew Irving Smith and Hazeline Ingram Smith bought the land in 1941 for investment and recreation. Matthew was a language professor at U.T. and bought the lower part of the tract from Dorthy Duval and the upper part from Harvey Simon. The property was part of the original James Coleman survey.

The Smith and Stenis families enjoyed their creek side property for over 50 years.
In 1992 the property was put under option for construction of 355 apartments.
That drew the attention of people in the area who thought that this pristine stretch of Austin's only Northern Edwards Aquifer spring fed drinking water supply creek should be preserved. 13 area neighborhoods expressed this sentiment. Council member Ronney Reynolds assisted in actions that led to the tract remaining undeveloped. It took until the voters approved the 1998 City bond election and efforts of Council Member Beverly Griffith to see that funds were allocated to purchase this property. It was purchased in January 1999 as Water Quality Protection Land (WQPL). This is the only tract in Northwest Austin purchased as WQPL.

Volunteers from the Bull Creek Foundation participated in a public process to define public uses for City WQPL in 1999-2000, as part of an overall land management plan which was approved by City Council in late 2000.

It took until November 2005 for Bull Creek Foundation to forge an Agreement with the City to build and maintain an educational hike and bike trail at no cost to the City.

The 1.5 mile loop Matthew and Hazeline Smith Memorial hike and bike trail is now ready for public use after 2 years of work on many Saturdays by a large number of citizen volunteers, including many school groups and Scouts.

Trail Opening Fri Nov 9 and Sat Nov 10!

2007-11-05T10:44:00.001-06:00

NEW TRAIL OPENING

What: Matthew and Hazeline Smith Memorial Trail - 1.5 mile loop (details below)
On the Bull Creek Water Quality Protection Lands tract.

Where: West corner of 360 at Spicewood Springs Rd.
Location using http://maps.yahoo.com/
5479 Old Spicewood Springs Rd 78731

Who: by BULL CREEK FOUNDATION (a 100% VOLUNTEER GROUP)

When:
Fri. Nov. 9, 10:00 a.m. (City/County officials, press, tours at 10:30)
Sat. Nov. 10, 10:00 a.m. (trail tours)
Sat. Nov. 10, 12:00 noon (recognition of Eagle Scout projects, trail tours)

Information at http://www.bullcreek.net or
bullcreekfoundation.blogspot.com
Questions? bullcreekvolunteers@gmail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directions to the trail head and parking

Parking is very limited. Carpool if you can or be prepared to walk a short distance.

Traveling North on Loop 360 ( from FM 2222 and other points south) - Head north on Loop 360, you'll pass through the traffic signal at Lakewood Drive. Move into the left lane and take a left at the next traffic signal at Spicewood Springs road. (Only a left turn is possible) Once on Spicewood Springs Rd, turn right onto the low water crossing road and take an immediate right into the parking lot area.

Traveling: South on Loop 360 (from 183 and other points north) - Head south on Loop 360, you'll pass through several traffic signals at Great Hills and Spicewood Springs / Bluffstone Drive. Move into the right lane and take a right at the next traffic signal at Spicewood Springs road. (Only a right turn is possible) Once on Spicewood Springs Rd, turn right onto the low water crossing road and take an immediate right into the parking lot area.

Background Information on Bull Creek Foundation

The citizen effort to preserve this tract of land in perpetuity was "the catalyst" that prompted the creation of the Bull Creek Foundation (BCF) in 1994 to watch over the 32 square mile Bull & West Bull Creek Watersheds, roughly bounded by highways 2222, 620, 183 and Mesa Drive. BCF is an all volunteer affiliate of the Austin Parks Foundation

BCF's mission is to promote the harmonious balance between nature, recreation and sustainable economic development. It is an all volunteer effort, with no staff or overhead cost, with any funds raised going directly to the projects undertaken.

Volunteer leaders head up and organize volunteer initiatives in the key action areas identified through a series of public listening sessions and a statistical survey of stakeholders by a Westwood High junior statistics class. These initiatives include preserving the greenbelt along Bull Creek, improving water quality through innovative and pioneering approaches, creating and maintaining parks and recreational trails, improving the landscape by removing invasive species and planting native species, reviewing and engaging in planned developments, preserving the "country in an city" rural corridor west of Hwy. 360 along Spicewood Springs Road, capturing area cultural/archaeological/ geological history, preserving and protecting the scenic beauty of the area, stakeholder guidance on the management of Balcones Canyonlands Preserves (BCP) for endangered species in an urban setting.

Bull Creek Foundation:
- is stakeholder inclusive, and collaborates with people in all government and educational organizations who can further its mission statement.
- has no membership roster or membership dues.
- welcomes any and all people interested in helping with its initiatives.
- has a web site www.bullcreek.net and bullcreekfoundation.blogspot.com

Bull Creek WQPL Trail grand opening Nov 9 & 10

2007-10-31T17:22:00.001-05:00

What: Bull Creek Water Quality Protection Lands Trail Opening
When: November 9 2007 at 10 am (comments), 10:30 am: Tour
When: November 10, 2008: tour at 10 am, tour at 12 noon.
Who: General Public, city and county officials, press
Contact: Charlie McCabe, cmccabe@austinparks.org, 512.965.1960
Why: The first of two trails to open on City of Austin Water Quality Protection Lands, this is a 1.5 mile trail built and maintained entirely by volunteers. Come hear a quick review of its construction and take a tour of the site.

On Friday, November 9th at 10 am, the Bull Creek Foundation and the City of Austin Wildlands Conservation Division will celebrate the official opening of the Matthew Smith trail on the Bull Creek Water Quality Protection Lands tract. This 1.5-mile hike and bike interpretive trail is the first to open on City of Austin Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL). The 60-acre Bull Creek tract, also known as the Stenis tract, was purchased with Bond funds after a successful 1998 election. Volunteers from the Bull Creek Foundation participated in a public process to define possible public uses for City WQPL in 1999-2000 as part of an overall land management plan which was approved by City Council in late 2000.

A memorandum of agreement between the Foundation and the City was signed in 2003, followed by a formal application permit process which was finalized in late 2005, allowed trail construction to begin in January 2006. Thanks to countless hours contributed by volunteers, Eagle Scout and school projects, the interpretive trail is about to open and will be maintained by volunteers from the Bull Creek Foundation.

So come hear the stories, the thanks and tour the trail. For those who cannot make it on Friday, November 9, we'll host tours of the trail on Saturday, November 10th at 10 am and 12 noon.

Directions to the trail head and parking. Parking is very limited. Carpool if you can or be prepared to walk a short distance.
Traveling North on Loop 360 ( from FM 2222 and other points south) - Head north on Loop 360, you'll pass through the traffic signal at Lakewood Drive. Move into the left lane and take a left at the next traffic signal at Spicewood Springs road. (Only a left turn is possible) Once on Spicewood Springs Rd, turn right onto the low water crossing road and take an immediate right into the parking lot area.  Traveling: South on Loop 360 (from 183 and other points north) - Head south on Loop 360, you'll pass through several traffic signals at Great Hills and Spicewood Springs / Bluffstone Drive. Move into the right lane and take a right at the next traffic signal at Spicewood Springs road. (Only a right turn is possible) Once on Spicewood Springs Rd, turn right onto the low water crossing road and take an immediate right into the parking lot area.

About the Bull Creek Foundation - We're an all volunteer affiliate of the Austin Parks Foundation, working on park and trail projects in the Bull Creek watershed. More info at: bullcreekfoundation.blogspot.com or www.bullcreek.net

One final pre-opening workday Nov 3!

2007-10-20T16:54:00.000-05:00

There's some last minute work to be done on the Stenis Tract (Bull Creek WQPL Tract) trail before we have the grand opening on November 9 and 10th. Please join us on Sat, Nov 3, 9 am to 12 noon to spread some granite gravel of a stretch of trail about 300 feet long and do some last minute weed wacking. RSVP/Questions to Charlie at cmccabe@mac.com if you can make it.

Here are Directions to the tract trail parking lot.

New Trail dedication Nov 9 and 10th!

2007-10-17T23:42:00.000-05:00

Our new 1.5 mile hike and bike trail on the Bull Creek Water Quality Protection Lands tract (we call it the Stenis Tract) will be dedicated on Friday, November 9th at 10 am. We'll hold a brief press event and then go on a tour of the trail. We'll also have a open trail kind of like an open house) on Saturday, November 10th at time TBD.

If you can come to the Fri, Nov 9, please rsvp to cmccabe@mac.com or scameron@austin.rr.com. Thanks!

Here are Directions to the tract trail parking lot.

Sneak Peak - Photos of the Bull Creek WQPL Trail

2007-10-17T21:27:00.000-05:00

The Bull Creek Water Quality Protection Lands Trail opens Nov 9 and we want to show you a sneak preview of portions of this 1.5 mile trail. So, here's a few shots. Click on any photo to expand the image...

Directions to the Bull Creek WQPL Tract Trail

2007-10-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

Directions to the Bull Creek WQPL Tract - home of the Matthew Smith Trail - opening November 9th.

Directions: North on Loop 360 ( from FM 2222 and other points south) - Head north on Loop 360, you'll pass through the traffic signal at Lakewood Drive. Move into the left lane and take a left at the next traffic signal at Spicewood Springs road. (Only a left turn is possible) Once on Spicewood Springs Rd, turn right onto the low water crossing road and take an immediate right into the parking lot area.

South on Loop 360 (from 183 and other points north) - Head south on Loop 360, you'll pass through several traffic signals at Great Hills and Spicewood Springs / Bluffstone Drive. Move into the right lane and take a right at the next traffic signal at Spicewood Springs road. (Only a right turn is possible) Once on Spicewood Springs Rd, turn right onto the low water crossing road and take an immediate right into the parking lot area.

Photos from Bull Creek WQPL trail construction...

2007-08-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

These are pictures from the parking lot construction workdays in December 2006 and January 2007.

Welcome to Bull Creek Foundation...

2007-01-13T15:34:00.000-06:00

We're a group of volunteers who have been working in the Bull Creek Watershed of Austin TX on park, open space and balanced development projects since 1994....

We're an all-volunteer affiliate of the Austin Parks Foundation, and we have ongoing volunteer projects at Bull Creek District Park, the Greenbelt Trail and the forthcoming Bull Creek Water Quality Protection Lands trail. Our volunteer workdays are posted on our page (that you are viewing)

Our mission is dedicated to promoting a harmonious balance between nature, recreation, and sustainable economic development within the 32 square mile Bull Creek watershed. The watershed includes high quality ecological areas with limestone seeps, springs, and waterways; scenic cliffs and waterfalls; unique archeological and cultural features; and rare plant and animal life. The watershed's boundaries can roughly be defined as the area inside highways 620 and 183, Mesa Drive, and just south of FM 2222.

For further information...
contact Skip Cameron, President
8711 Bluegrass Drive, Austin, TX 78759
home: 794-0531
email: scameron at austin dot rr dot com