Environment
BY KAMERYN GRIESSER
Bluebonnet season began early this year—what does it mean? Bluebonnet Bloom time: March-May Texas paintbrush Bloom time: March-September
In recent weeks, Texans traveling on major highways may have noticed a familiar harbinger of spring: seas of bluebonnets flooding the roadsides— over a month early this year. What’s happening? A typical bluebonnet season begins in early April, but the first buds arrived at the end of February, said Andrea DeLong-Amaya, the direc- tor of horticulture for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She said the flower typically blooms until mid-May before they become “toasted.” “The seeds start to germinate in the fall, when we get a lot of rain, and then continue to grow in the winter,” DeLong-Amaya said. “If it ends up being a really dry spring, [the season] might stop earlier.” DeLong-Amaya said another wildflower to look out for next is the pink evening primrose, followed by paintbrushes and star hibiscus.
Butterflyweed Bloom time: May-September
Texas redbud Bloom time: March-April
Pink evening primrose Bloom time: February-October
Texas star hibiscus Bloom time: May-September
SOURCE: LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Attention New Braunfels Residents!
Resident River Parking Passes
River season is right around the corner! Do you have your Resident River Parking Pass yet? A free Resident River Parking Pass is available to City of New Braunfels residents, allowing them to park in the pay-to-park lots on Fair Lane, Elizabeth Street, Hinman Island Drive, Mill Street, and San Antonio Street at no charge. Please note: This pass is NOT valid for the Prince Solms Parking Lot. Individuals need to bring their proof of residency and auto insurance to the office. One sticker will be issued per vehicle listed on the resident’s auto insurance. The sticker is valid for three years and can be picked up at the Parks Administrative Office or at Das Rec during regular business hours.
RESIDENT RIVER PARKING PASS
10001
Das Rec 345 Landa St. Monday – Friday: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Parks Administrative Office 110 Golf Course Rd. Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Go to www.newbraunfels.gov/riverpass for more Resident River Parking Pass details.
So
Non-resident paid parking at River Acres Park Paid parking on Fair Lane by River Acres Park will be implemented for non-residents. Since 2018 there has been a notable increase in park and river usage and the Guadalupe River parks. An informal survey found that more than 72% of park users were non-residents. To give residents more opportunities to use the park and give them easier access to the park, the City will begin to require non-residents to pay for parking. Residents will need to use their Resident River Parking pass to qualify for free parking. Paid parking will begin in May 2024; parking is only on weekends and holidays May 1 - Labor Day. Scan the QR code or visit www.newbraunfels.gov/river to find out more information on Resident River Parking Passes and what to expect when you visit the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers this summer!
River Acres Park
Paid parking for non-residents No parking Public river access No parking May 1 - September 30 Fire lane zone
Public Library New Braunfels
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
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