From Birding Texas by Roland H. Wauer
and Mark A Elwonger.
About Rockport
“Although this was once one of North
America's best known birding hot spots,
much of the natural environment has been
degraded by developments and grazing
since the days of Connie Hagar, the birder
who discovered the area to be a birding
bonanza.”
COMPETITION
Corpus Christi – “Caller Times” Construction to start on
Oso Bay Nature Park and Trail ($2.4 million)
Nelda Martinez “ It’s not only a good fit for us but our
ecotourism. This is going to be a huge contribution to
our community and I think it’s going to be one of the best
rates of return of our 2008 bond election.”
Barbara Austin “sees the park as an opportunity to connect
residents to the natural world.”
Rockport Parks Survey
According to Tom Staley, Parks Director, the results of a
park needs assessment survey conducted in 2010 with
857 county and city residents responding:
# 1 Additional hike and bike trails
# 3 Bird and nature trails
# 5 A birding center
Purpose
Pathways is a venue tax project. The tax was
approved last fall and is being collected now.
The Pathways project is intended to use some
of these funds to:
• Encourage commercial growth and
opportunity through an increase in eco-
tourism. (More overnight stays)
• Provide additional / improved recreational
activities for visitors & residents.
Purpose
Improve the best of Aransas County’s resources
– Birding Sites
– Historic Places
– Scenic hiking trails and paths
– Recreational activities (kayaking, fishing etc. )
Venue tax is paid by visitors
to the County. No
additional taxes are
required to fund the
Pathways Project.
The Pathways Committee
De McLallen
Tom Callan – Aransas First, R-F C of C
Earl & Lonnie Matthew – Aransas First
J D Debler – Aransas First
Debra Corpora – Aransas Bird and Nature Club
Janie White – Aransas County Historical Society
Pam Stranahan – Aransas County Historical Commission
Ellen Reisinger – Aransas / San Patricio Master Gardeners
Tom Staley – Parks Director, City of Rockport
Charles Smith – County Commissioner
Jerry Brundrett – Griffith and Brundrett Surveying and Engineering
Ray Kirkwood – Mid-Coast Chapter, Texas Master Naturalists
Nancy Paulson – Rockport Web Sites and R-F C of C
Shawn Kendrick – Aransas County ISD
Krystal White – R-F C of C
Ernie Edmundson – Aransas San Patricio Master Gardeners
BIRDS
Improve 45 + Birding Sites
– Parking space
– Signage
– Easements
– Landowner buy-in
– Best case – Conservation
Easements
BIRDS
A birding site reference book
– Site descriptions
– Pictures
– Directions
– Species by season
– Site precautions
HISTORY
38 Identified and accessible sites
– Signage already available
– Parking already available
17 New sites which may
require:
– Signage
– Parking Space
Pathways
Potential for 65 miles of
– Trails
• Unpaved footpaths
• Paved
• Crushed stone
• Mulch
– Hike and Bike Trails
Trails use
– City Sidewalks
– Undeveloped easements
and rights of way
– Property which will be
purchased for short
connecting links
Pathways
• Pathways consist of 12 to 13 segments or loops
• Longest is 15 miles from Lamar to Salt Creek
• Each pathway trail head includes a kiosk with
information about historic places and birding
sites along the trail.
• Central structure planned at Tule Creek and Bus
35 with footbridge to Shellcrete Park
Approval
• Commissioner’s Court Approved Concept
• Commissioner's Court declared most of County
to be a “Tourist Development Area”
• Need City Council approval of concept and use
of site at Tule Creek & Shell Crete Park
• Project has been submitted to State Comptroller
for approval
• Project will be put to voters for approval in May
or November
FUNDING
Initial cost estimate $ 2.5 million
• Revenue Bonds, paid off by 2% venue tax as
currently funding the Aquarium.
• The Pathways Venue Tax will not increase the
current Venue Tax and will be paid by visitors to
our hotels. It does not represent a tax increase
of any kind to visitors or residents.
• Venue tax can be used for operations &
maintenance.
Tax deductable contributions may be made
through Aransas First
PROPOSITION
Authorizing Aransas County to provide for the
acquisition, planning design, development,
renovation or construction of facilities including
buildings, historical sites, birding sites, kiosks,
wildlife viewing structures, trails, paths, roads,
walkways, bridges, parking lots, signage, real estate,
easements, and rights-of-way within the County’s
tourist development area along inland waterways in
the County; and to impose a hotel occupancy tax at
the rate of (2%) of the price paid for a room in a hotel
located in Aransas County, Texas for the purpose of
financing this Venue Project.
Ballot Language
PROPOSITION
Authorizing Aransas County to provide for
the acquisition, planning design,
development, renovation or construction of
facilities within the County’s tourist
development area along inland waterways
in the County; and to impose a hotel
occupancy tax at the rate of (2%) of the
price paid for a room in a hotel located in
Aransas County, Texas for the purpose of
financing this Venue Project.
Work to Do
Comptroller approves
bond issue
Commissioners call
election
Voters approve project