A nature park surrounding the historical Cooper Spring in Lampasas, TX.
Located on Hackberry Street between Ave. A and 2nd Street
Rex and Linda Johnson donated 16.23 acres of land in the heart of town to the City of Lampasas in 2008. It was agreed by the donors and City the area would be developed as open space nature area for the enjoyment of the public. Since the initial donation, the City has acquired other property from adjacent landowners through purchase and additional donations. Included in the donations was a segment of the BNSF railroad right of way that adjoined the Park. The Park now fronts on Hackberry Street, Avenue A and East Third Street and includes over 25 acres.
Considerable work has already been done at the Park site to increase plant and wildlife diversity. Numerous piles of masonry construction rubble on the property have been buried. Soil was hauled in from the Fourth Street Improvement Project to make some sites more hospitable to plants. Numerous hackberries and non-native woody plants have been removed and burned to make space for native grasses and wildflowers. Over 20 different native grasses have been seeded to date and some deer-resistant wildflowers. Many decades of organic matter accumulation have been removed from Cooper Spring. The banks of Spring Branch and Burleson Creek are being vegetated to reduce erosion.
The emphasis of the work in the Park is to improve bird and butterfly habitat as agreed when the initial donation of land was made. Plant diversity and abundance of vegetation will enhance insect production which will benefit birds. Flowering plants will benefit both birds and butterflies. Plant diversity will also assure natural beauty in the Park throughout the year.
A non-profit corporation has been formed to supplement funding for Park improvements and maintenance since public funds for the Park are limited. All improvement projects in the Park will be in cooperation with the City of Lampasas. Interested citizens will be encouraged to support the Park through its use and with donations to assure its beauty into the future.
A lot of work has been done since 2008. However, 2014 is shaping up to be a year of many major projects in the Park. You are encouraged to visit the Park and witness its transformation to a place where Nature comes first.
Cooper Spring Nature Park is being developed to protect in perpetuity diverse native plant and wildlife communities associated with Lampasas’ historic springs, creeks and uplands, to the benefit of the City’s residents and visitors. Sustainable habitats for native birds and butterflies and conservation of soil and water resources on the site are top priorities. Infrastructure will be limited to that required for maintenance of plant diversity and for low-impact human access.
Birding, Nature Trails, and Butterflies
