Hill Country Current • July 2023

Events

Calendar

Where to Go & What to Do in the Texas Hill Country Page 12

JOHNSON CITY

464 Ranch Page 4

SPRING BRANCH

Honey Creek State

Natural Area Page 10

Hill Country Current

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Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 830-598-6740

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NOW IS THE TIME

464 Ranch is a new Hill Country housing development that feels like a ranch.“I think that’s something unique when you can walk out your front door and drink a cup of coffee while looking at exotic animals,” said Chris Horne, managing partner of Balcones Land Co. “The quality of this land is excellent and beautiful to look at.”

The team that put together 464 Ranch near Johnson City didn’t start by bulldozing dirt in order to maximize density. They looked at lifestyle.

“We wanted a unique balance of modern amenities and comfortable living while preserving the Hill Country’s nature and ambience,” Horne said. “Attention to preservation and low impact is part of our ethos.”

The result is “a very low-density project.”

Named after the number of acres on which it sits, the 464 Ranch lies three miles north of Johnson City at the northwest corner of US Highway 281 and Sandy Road/1323. The development comprises 72 lots, in five to 11-acre tracts. Building sites are set on one-acre pads, to preserve the feel of the former trophy hunting ranch. The land is high fenced, and home to blackbuck, antelope, axis, trophy whitetail, wild turkey, gray fox, and other exotic and native wildlife.

“We’re keeping the exotics and making them part of the community, which I think is something that’s pretty unique to us,” said Horne. “We want people to feel like they’re coming home to their 500-acre trophy ranch, but not have the upkeep of a 500-acre trophy ranch.”

Natural amenities will be complemented with improvements to accommodate Hill Country family lifestyles, such as a two-mile hike and bike trail, two-acre stocked pond, seven-acre community park, playscape, sand volleyball court, and wildflower area.

Even necessary infrastructure was planned with a view to preserving quality of life for residents. Horne pointed out the thought that went into minimizing lines of sight between structures and between a structure and the road. Consequently, the roads flow over and around the hills, with beautiful curves and gorgeous views.

“Tree density is important,” Horne said. “When we laid the roads, we were sensitive to keeping as many trees as we could. To us, every single tree is meaningful. That is different than most other developments. Consequently, it’s a pretty drive and the road has a great wind to it. It’s a pretty drive. It takes more time and more money to do it that way, but you end up with a better product.”

Other amenities include buried utilities and fiber optics ready for high-speed internet. The

entry gate makes a statement as any authentic Texas ranch should, with locally-mined and cut limestone block, giant reclaimed timber beams, corten steel signage, and native landscaping.

Johnson City lies in the heart of the burgeoning Texas Hill Country, only one hour from Austin and San Antonio. The childhood residence of President Lyndon Johnson is growing as a destination for fine dining, wineries, art, and shopping, located at a major intersection of US Highways 290 and 281, just 30 minutes from Fredericksburg.

That location makes the 464 Ranch ideal for a home or second home.

“As Austin and San Antonio grow, the concept of what’s close to town expands,” Horne noted. “This ranch is actually very close to both of them–within an hour drive, and the drive is as much a part of the experience as actually getting home. You could actually commute from here if you were working in town.”

The project is set to deliver in September, and early response has been “impressive.”

“Lots are available now and being

listed,” Horne said. “We’ve had a really impressively positive response. The quality of land is so good here, when you drive through you can’t help but want a piece of it.”

Horne invites anyone interested to schedule a drive-through soon.

“You know, we look at lot of properties, and this is one of prettiest ranches we’ve ever seen,” he said. “It is an amazing location and checks all the boxes. We think it’s one of the best projects in the region and know it is going to sell out. Now is the time.”

Details:To arrange a tour of 464 Ranch, contact:

Brandon Easley, Easley Group Real Estate, 512-663-2848, sales@464ranch.com

Project Lead: Chris Horne, Managing Partner, Balcones Land Co., www.balconeslandco.com

BOERNE

Looking Ahead … With Feet Firmly Planted in Boerne Soil

Decisions. Some are easier than others. What to have for dinner tonight? No problem. Where to go for vacation this year? Takes a bit of research and conversation. Is a move to a senior living community right for you? Hmm, that’s a bigger question. But many seniors find once they do make the decision to downsize and relinquish the hassles of home ownership (maintenance, yard upkeep, property taxes), a move to a vibrant senior living community – one that happens to offer independent living with access to care, should you ever need

it – is right in so many ways. For the happy residents of Morningside at Menger Springs, the decision to move to a community that prioritizes engagement, activity and personal growth has been a rewarding one. Many say they wish they had done it sooner. With a heart as big as Texas and roots as strong as its treasured oaks, Morningside at Menger Springs offers a gracious lifestyle firmly planted in a 62-year history in the Hill Country.

Growth is a trademark of a happy retirement: learning new

things, meeting new people, making the most of these golden years. And it’s not just the residents who are growing at Menger Springs. The community is expanding, and they’re inviting area seniors to stake a claim on one of their elegant terrace homes coming in 2025. Then? Take the next 18 months to

downsize, organize and stargaze about a future of ease, comfort and peace of mind.

Call today to find out more: (830) 375-5560

Partnership Adds 515 Acres to Honey Creek State Natural Area

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announces 515 more acres of pristine land and water in Central Texas will be protected and stewarded for future generations of Texans.

TPWD has partnered with The Nature Conservancy in Texas (TNC), Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) and

landowners Ronnie and Terry Urbanczyk to protect the Honey Creek watershed and wildlife habitat in a rapidly growing area near San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country. The $25 million purchase was made possible by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, state appropriations for land acquisitions and

private donations.

“This acquisition is a wonderful example of what we can achieve through public-private partnerships and conservation-minded landowners who want to help preserve the last, best places in Texas for future generations,” said David Yoskowitz, Ph.D, executive director

of TPWD. “We could not have accomplished this without the assistance of The Nature Conservancy and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation in partnership with Ronnie and Terry, who wanted to see their family land create a legacy for the greater good.”

Honey Creek is considered a

pristine stream that supports a healthy and diverse ecosystem and meets an exceptional aquatic life-use category based on samples of water quality, periphyton levels and aquatic life taken by researchers at Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

“Honey Creek is one of the most pristine streams not only in the Hill Country, but in all of Texas,” said Zach Spector, who is director of conservation programs for TPWF. “During the Texas State Parks Centennial year, we’re so pleased to not only be conserving one of our state’s finest streams, but also growing our state parks system by expanding the Honey Creek State Natural Area. This is truly a win for fish, wildlife and people.”

The land acquisition builds on a history of collaborative conservation efforts in the region by adding 515 acres of protected land to the conservation blueprint of Honey Creek State Natural Area (HCSNA) and the Honey Creek watershed.

“The Nature Conservancy has been working in this area since the 1980s, when we firstcollaborated with TPWD to create Honey Creek State SNA,” said Suzanne Scott, state director for TNC in Texas. “We’re thrilled that years later, thanks to the dedication and hard work of landowners, partners, funders and passionate residents, our work to safeguard this vital Hill Country ecosystem continues.”

In 1981, TNC acquired 1,825 acres in Comal County, which were transferred in 1985 to TPWD to create the 2,294-acre Honey Creek State Natural Area. Later, an easement in 2022 protected an additional 621 acres around HCSNA. The 515 acres now acquired through the Urbanczyks helps complete the mosaic of ecologically protected lands around the Honey Creek watershed.

The Urbanczyks said they are eager to see the property’s new owners protect and cherish it as they have for the past three decades.

“This sale marks a new era for Honey Creek Ranch, and we are confident that it will be in good hands under the careful stewardship of Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy,” Ronnie Urbanczyk said. “We are

gratified that the state of Texas and its residents will have the opportunity to enjoy this pristine piece of land as we have cherished it for the past three decades.”

The property, located adjacent to HCSNA, will expand access to outdoor recreation and nature education, and existing event facilities on the property will provide a beautiful venue for special events like weddings and family reunions. TPWD looks forward to opening this new property and event venue to the public but has not yet determined a date.

“Together with the adjacent Guadalupe River State Park, these protected lands encompass nearly 5,000 acres of habitat that sustain plants and wildlife, benefit water quality and provide opportunities for people to spend time in nature,” said Texas State Parks Director Rodney Franklin. “It will be our privilege to plan for a future of family picnics, nature walks and educational programming that will support stewardship of this special place.”

Ongoing commercial and residential development poses a threat to the integrity of this landscape’s unique hydrology and biological diversity. Numerous native and threatened species – including the Comal blind salamander, golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo and at least six invertebrates found in only a few caves in central Texas – make their home on the property and in nearby Honey Creek Cave.

Considered the largest cave system in Texas, Honey Creek Cave consists of several miles of underground river that serve as the primary source of Honey Creek, an important tributary of the Guadalupe River that feeds Canyon Lake. It is also in a drainage area for the Edwards Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to nearly two mil-

July 1, 2023

LLANO-ROCK N’ RIVER FEST & FIREWORKS SHOW OVER THE LLANO RIVER: Badu Park, 10am-10pm. Annual event on the banks of the beautiful Llano River. Fireworks start at Dark:30 For more information, visit the website www. llanorocknriverfest.com or contact the Llano Chamber of Commerce at 325-2475354.

JUNCTION-JULY FREEDOM

CELEBRATION: Junction City Park on the banks

of the South Llano River. Annual Event. Fireworks begin just after dark. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a free fireworks display. For more information, call the Kimble County Chamber of Commerce at 325-446-3190.

July 1-2, 2023

FREDERICKSBURGLIVE QUARTER & THOROUGHBRED HORSE RACES: Gillespie County Fairgrounds. Come out during the Summer Season for four big weekends of exciting live horse racing at the Fairgrounds’ Class 3

45 YEARS OF BUSINESS

2023 SHOW DATES

AMARILLO

SAT 9 AM - 5 PM

SUN 10 AM - 4 PM

Track. Pick your favorites for quarter horse and thoroughbred racing as well as special races, trials and futurities. Gates open at 12pm and Post Time is at 2pm. General Admission is $10 per person. Children (612) are $5. Children under 5 are free. We will run rain or shine. Lightning might put a delay, but shouldn’t cancel the race meet. For more information call 830-9972359.

July 3-9, 2023

LAMPASAS-SPRING HO FESTIVAL: Downtown. Taking place the second full weekend in July, each day of Spring Ho is brimming over with activities for all. County Fair, dance contest, carnival, arts and crafts, barbecue cook-off, beauty pageant and more! For more information, call 512-556-5301 or visit www.springho.com

July 4, 2023

FREDERICKSBURG-4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS: Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, 432 Lady Bird Drive. Fireworks start around 9:30. Multiple viewing areas are available inside the park and at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks, and chairs. For more information, contact the Fredericksburg City Hall at 830-997-7521.

KINGSLAND-AQUA BOOM: Every Fourth of July for over 50 years, Kingsland - known for its hospitality, constant level lake, and beautiful vistas - has led the charge in the Texas Hill Country’s celebration of American freedom with our Annual Kingsland AquaBoom Independence Day Community Celebration. Three parades, an arts and crafts show, a patriotic costume contest, a classic car show, live music and entertainment, charity dinners, a golf tournament, a pageant, a poker run, horseshoe and washer tournaments, street dances, a rubber ducky race.....and not to mention, FIREWORKS! For more information regarding events and times, please visit www. kingslandaquaboom.org

July 6-8, 2023

MASON-RODEO & ROUND UP WEEKEND: Fort Mason City Park, 7pm. Bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding. Entertainment by Rodeo Clown Leon Coffee. Kids’ Mutton Bustin’ & Calf Scramble each night. Saturday night dance featuring Matt Castillo. $10 per person 12 and under are free. Advance tickets available at Mason Bank. For more information, visit the Mason Chamber of Commerce website, www. masontxcoc.com

July 7, 2023

LLANO-MOTO XTREME CIRCUS UNLEASHED 2023

TOUR: John L. Kuykendall Event Center and Arena, 6:30pm. You don’t want to miss out on all the excitement, bring the whole family out to see these amazing Performers! Our Brand new production for 2023 Featuring: America’s Got Talent Extreme Winner, Colby El LOKO GORT, MULTIPLE WORLD FMX Champion GABRIEL

VILLEGAS, The Nuclear Aerialist Stunt Girls, The Unbelievable Globe Of Death Stunts, BMX Freestyle, Pit Bike Freestyle and much more. Purchase tickets online at MotoXtremeCircus. com, You can also purchase tickets at the gate on the day of the show. Ticket prices are higher at the gate. Cash Only. No outside food/ drinks or coolers allowed into the facility. Food and drinks available for purchase on site. This is the only appearance in the region to see our superstars! Avoid the lines & purchase your discounted tickets early online & save ! Enjoy all

the fun and high energy excitement of this perfect family-friendly event!

July 8, 2023

LAMPASAS-TOUGHEST

10K IN TEXAS: Race is held during the annual Lampasas Spring Ho Festival. The race starts and finishes at the Hancock Golf Course Pavilion. Raceday registration begins at 6 a.m and the race begins at 7a.m. For more information, contact the Lampasas Chamber of Commerce at 512-556-5172.

July 9, 2023

BUCHANAN DAM-6TH ANNUAL WILD GAME

DINNER: Highland Lakes United Methodist Church, 3-7pm. Event tickets are $25.00 Includes: dinner, live music, door prizes, raffles, live and silent auctions, and more! All proceeds go to support His Joshua House Men’s Recovery House. For tickets and information, contact Dewayne Sanders 512-876-8125 or email dewayne.sanders825@gmail. com

July 15, 2023

LLANO-FARMERS & CRAFTERS MARKET: Llano Courthouse Square, 9am1pm. The first and third Saturday of each month. All year long! Plenty of homegrown/handmade goods and handcrafted items. For more information, contact Tony Guidroz at 325372-1088.

BLANCO-MARKET DAYS: Old Blanco Courthouse square, 9am to 4pm. It takes

place every 3rd Saturday of the month (MarchDecember). Come shop from over 80 vendors offering homemade crafts, apparel, home décor, plants, baked goods, art, jewelry, dog treats, embroidered items and many more. Music and food vendors. Kid and pet friendly. Free admission.

July 21-22, 2023

MARBLE FALLS-OPEN PRO RODEO: Charley Taylor Rodeo Arena, Gates Open

 EVENTS

at 6:30 pm and Rodeo starts at 8:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased online or cash at the gate. $15 Per Person; $5 Ages 6-12; Free Ages Under 6; Admission covers the dance. BYOB Friday Night: Pink Out - Support Breast Cancer Awareness by sporting your favorite pink. Southern Underground Band will be our live music immediately following the end of Bull Riding. Saturday Night: Adam Fears Band will be our live music immediately following the end of Bull Riding.

July 22, 2023

LLANO-JUNK IN THE TRUNK: Llano Courthouse Square, 8am-12pm. Sell your garage sale items out of the trunk of your car, the bed of your truck, or even a flatbed trailer. No tables to set up, no loading & unloading, and it’s

free. For more information, contact Tony at 325-3721088 or just show up at the Courthouse between before 8am and set up!

July 28-30, 2023

FREDERICKSBURG-HILL

COUNTRY AUTO SWAP

MEET & FLEA MARKET: Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. Car enthusiasts can find just about anything at this annual event. A “car corral” has vintage autos for sale in various states of restoration and there will also be a flea market. Among the many items for sale are vehicles and parts, tools, auto accessories, hats, books, clothes and various souvenirs. Concessions will be available. For more information, visit www. earhartproductions.com

lion Texans and the City of San Antonio.

HCSNA and the new property are home to a variety of habitats ranging from live oaks, agarita and Texas persimmon to cypress trees adorned with Spanish moss, junipers and Mexican buckeye. The diversity found across the land brings together species like wild turkeys, armadillos, leopard frogs, along with several species with limited ranges including Cagle’s map turtle, Guadalupe bass (the Texas state fish), four-lined skink, green kingfisher, Texas salamander and the Honey Creek Cave salamander.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWF, and TNC thank our partners for helping preserve this land, water and wildlife for all Texans:

• Horizon Foundation

• Karen Hixon

• Knobloch Family Foundation

• Mays Family Foundation

• Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation

• Kronkosky Charitable Foundation

• The Meadows Foundation

• Amy Shelton McNutt Charitable Trust

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department mission balances outdoor recreation and sustain-

able use of resources with conservation and management of natural and cultural resources. The department operates 89 Texas state parks, natural areas and historic sites, 50 wildlife management areas, three saltwater fish hatcheries and five freshwater hatcheries. TPWD game wardens and wildlife and fisheries biologists work in every Texas county, enforcing laws and encouraging management to conserve fish and wildlife.To learn more, visit www.tpwd.texas.gov .

Since 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has raised and invested more than $235 million to advance Texas’ proud outdoor traditions and conserve our state’s wildlife, habitat and natural resources. Our vision is for all Texans to have access to the wild things and wild places of our state, both now and for generations to come. For more information, please visit www.tpwf.org.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. To learn more about our work in Texas, visit www.nature.org/texas or follow @nature_tx on Twitter.

The Urbanczyks are community-oriented Texans and conservationists. Over the past 30 years, they have raised their family on Honey Creek Ranch. They’ve watched their children grow up on this precious land and are now privileged to experience Honey Creek Ranch through their grandchildren’s eyes. Ronnie and Terry are not only good stewards of this unique Texas treasure, but are also invested in their community. The Urbanczyks recognize the significance of the historical value that Honey Creek provides to area residents and the state of Texas. They are eager to see the new owners protect and cherish it as they have for these last three decades. The Urbanczyks have worked with TPWD, TPWF, TNC in Texas and Comal Independent School District to write the next chapter in the life of Honey Creek Ranch while preserving this natural treasure for future generations.

Photo copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Information copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department