Save the Date: 10/9 Blanco Shoals Clean-Up

River Clean-Up Too!
Join SMGA to clean up Blanco Shoals Natural Area the morning of October 9. We’re partnering with Keep San Marcos Beautiful and the San Marcos River Clean Up for one big ol’ morning of river/greenspace litter pick up. Walk along the river canopied by majestic pecan trees while picking up trash that we don’t want to wash further downstream. Look for more information in our October newsletter.

About Blanco Shoals
About 81 acres mostly west of the Blanco River, just below the bridge at IH35, Blanco Shoals is a unique area in our park system. It is a completely undeveloped riparian area and will remain that way except for a few trails to be built in the future. It contains high bank bluffs and shoals, tall cottonwoods and sycamores, gigantic pecans, and mesquite. Anaqua (a na’ kuh way) trees cling to the riverbanks. Note: Enjoy a pleasant stroll along the Blanco but do not cross any fences, as it will put you on private property.

The property was donated in 2002 by the Holt family in exchange for some land-use changes on the remaining portions of the property. The City of San Marcos, Alan Holt, and SMGA worked together to come up with a Planned Development District (PDD) for the property, which included multi-family and commercial use and greenspace. The 81 donated acres are in the Blanco River floodplain, and an additional 16 acres are planned for acquisition pending funding. The Holts asked that the area be left essentially natural.

Previous articles about Blanco Shoals:
http://smgreenbelt.blogspot.com/2010/05/natural-area-updates.html
http://smgreenbelt.blogspot.com/2010/01/wanted-really-big-rock.html