AUSTIN -- A $20 million transaction approved by Travis County Commissioners to buy private land between Milton Reimers Park and Hamilton Pool will bridge the gap between the two natural hot spots located about 40 minutes west of Austin.
“You almost don't feel like you're in Texas because there's so many leaves turning this time of year and the weather right now is perfect,” said John Pugh, a Lake McQueeney resident who brought his family to Reimers Ranch Park on Wednesday.
An 800-acre tract belonging to the Reimer family will eventually bridge Reimers Ranch Park to Hamilton Pool, creating a 3,500 acre park with contiguous natural space.
Travis County voters approved the item in a 2005 bond election.
Eventually park goers will have 1.5 more miles of the Pedernales River to enjoy along with more mountain biking and hiking trails.
But Laura Huffman with the Nature Conservancy says this acquisition is much more than just about preserving natural space.
“The most important benefit is to protect fresh water. There's just no question. Austin's got a long history of doubling in size every 20 years, and anything we can do to protect our water is important not only for biodiversity but also to make sure the people have access to clean water,” says Huffman.
Water will filter naturally through the 3,500 acres in to the Edwards Aquifer which provides water to two million Central Texans.
A spokesperson with Travis County Parks said it could be another year or two until parkgoers are able to go back and forth from Reimers Park to Hamilton Pool.
