Mormon Mill community discusses future of neighborhood park

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — Residents living near the proposed park at Park Ridge/Park View in the Mormon Mill area stood before the Marble Falls Parks and Recreation Commission during its monthly meeting April 7 to talk about their vision of what they would like it to be.

In essence, they want it to remain the same.

Residents said they don’t want lights or recreation fields for the park. Instead, they’d like the area to be used the same way it has been: a peaceful place where people can sit and watch birds and other wildlife.

“They might not be able to see (rare birds) at Johnson Park,” resident Darlene Ostermeyer said. “A parking area might be fine, maybe a half-moon hiking area. We do have a lot of consideration for the birds.”

She said perhaps the park, as it is now, might qualify as a wetland, though Parks and Recreation Director Robert Moss said it’s not designated as one.

“It’s important to note … that currently that property is a city assist,” Chairman David Rhodes said. “So how do we utilize it for the entire city?”

Resident Fred Zagst said he envisions having a classroom-type setting where students can have seminars and lectures to learn about native grass, which is important for those wanting to work outdoors.

“There’s 10 acres, it’s an asset for the community, for the (Marble Falls) school district,” he said. “Kids can go out there for native plants. We don’t have great rare birds. Right now, stray birds are coming through for five days. There’s no water out there. That’s just fine (for the neighborhood.)”

Residents suggested partnering with city hall to create a parking area made of gravel, so as not to disrupt the natural habitat, and a covered area at which to set up chairs and other teaching tools.

Zagst said he understands city hall might not have the money right now for funding the projects.

“It’d be a great place to put a bird line in it,” he said. “People can come from all over just to see the birds.”

Moss said there’s not a plan for the park yet, noting the land was donated to the city to be used as a park. Rhodes said it would cost more money for the city to try to sell the land than what leaders believe it would get in a sale.

He suggested the residents form a group, choose a leader and work closely with Moss on what they want to do with the park. That way, Moss can tell the group what the city regulations are, so when they were ready to address the commissioners again, they would be within the guidelines.

“I’m not opposed to ponying up some money,” resident Jason Coleman said. “We can put up a pole barn, we could get a path with relatively no expense from the city. It has to be maintained.”

One of the long-term goals of the commission is to have a trail system that links the entire city. One phase of the system would like the Park Ridge/Park View park to Johnson and Westside parks.

Rhodes closed the discussion by telling attendees that parks add to the quality of life of citizens.

“We need to be very careful of what we do and don’t do,” he said.

jfierro@thepicayune.com