My Getaway: A Conversation with Mark Carter

Mark Carter grew up in New England but got to Texas as soon as he could. Mark feels very fortunate to live in a community that values environmental protection and the preservation of natural areas. Mark looks forward the acquisition of additional green space to complete the Greenbelt loop. 

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Why do you value the natural areas? Why do you think natural spaces in general are important?

I value natural areas for their ability to help keep our water clean and available and for their ability to remove pollutants and greenhouse gasses from our air. I value natural areas as wonderful and necessary places to counterbalance urban growth and development.

What is your favorite trail? What do you like about it?

The Spring Lake Preserve trail system includes the Centipede Trail, which meanders along the Sink Creek floodplain. The trail twice crosses the Sink Creek channel, providing beautiful, ever changing scenic views of the watershed. Vernal pools mirror the blue skies, and verdant plant-life paints a multi-shaded landscape. The trail may be most easily entered from the Lime Kiln Road trailhead but can also be accessed from the L.B.J. Drive trailhead, which will include a downhill section leading to the Centipede Trail.

What recommendations would you give new users of the trail?

To new users of our natural areas, please be respectful in taking care of our land and reacting with others on the trail. Get a map from the SMGA website and plan your hike. Let someone else know you are going. Check at the trailhead to learn about what to expect and decide on your hiking goal for the day. Have fun, stop to smell the “roses,” and find a few minutes for some quiet meditation. Bring water and a hat, and wear a broken-in pair of boots or shoes. The top of the hill, which has as its centerpiece a working human-sized sundial, is a great place for a picnic and is most easily accessible from the Meadows Center trailhead.