The Blue Hole Nature Center, a long-envisioned project led by the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department, has received $3 million in transformative funding from the Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond.
The Nature Center, located within Blue Hole Regional Park and adjacent to the soccer field and existing playground, will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, ecological preservation and sustainable recreation.
“The Blue Hole Nature Center will be a place where residents, visitors and researchers can experience the beauty of Wimberley while deepening their understanding of conservation and sustainability,” said Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department Director, Richard Shaver. “This center will provide hands-on learning opportunities and inspire a greater appreciation for the natural world, ensuring that the Hill Country’s unique ecosystems are valued and protected for generations to come.”
The Nature Center will be built as a one-water facility, designed to achieve net-zero water use through rainwater collection, on-site filtration and water reuse systems. The brandnew building will set a new standard for sustainable development in Hays County.
It will also include interactive exhibits showcasing the region’s unique ecosystems and wildlife; educational programming for students, families and lifelong learners; and indoor and outdoor learning spaces located in the natural beauty of Blue Hole Regional Park.
Importantly, the center will define sustainability initiatives that demonstrate water conservation, native landscaping and eco-friendly building practices.
A portion of the funds will be released early to pursue Requests For Proposals from architectural and engineering firms and to bankroll construction.
“The most exciting thing about the funding is that we can use it as a match with other funding sources, grants and public-private partnerships and the department will not be required to spend city funds,” said Shaver. “We are poised to be in a very competitive position to apply for ad- ditional money, which will allow us to stretch this Hays County funding for the maximum benefit.”
As early as August 1, the parks and rec department will submit a proposal for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department matching program.
In 2020, 70 percent of Hays County residents voted for the Parks and Open Spaces Bond, known on the ballot as Proposition A, which called for the issuance of $75 million in general bonds to fund parks, open spaces, conservation lands, and other recreational opportunities over the next several years.
“Investing in the Blue Hole Nature Center is an investment in the future of Hays County,” said Morgan Hammer, Hays County Commissioner Precinct 3. “Through the Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond, we are ensuring that our community has access to both protected natural spaces and meaningful environmental education opportunities. The Nature Center will be a place where residents, students, and visitors can connect with the land, learn about conservation, and be inspired to protect the resources that make Hays County so special.”
The Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department will begin planning and development in the coming months, with updates to be shared with the community throughout the process.
Early concepts of the Nature Center from 2020 can be seen at wimberley-parksandrec. com/ wp-content/uploads/ sites/7034/2025/02/ Blue-Hole-Nature-Center-Concept-Plans. pdf but Shaver said the plans will change once necessary updates and input from the community and other stakeholders takes place.
For more information and ways to support the Blue Hole Nature Center, visit wimberleyparksandrec. com/blue-hole-naturecenter/ or follow them on social media.
