NONPROFIT Headwaters at the Comal
2022 EDUCATION EDITION
Nonpro t organization highlights the importance of local water resources I n 2014, New Braunfels Utilities adopted a master plan to rede- velop an unused 16-acre prop- BY LAUREN CANTERBERRY
absorb pollutants that would other- wise be washed into the river system by rainwater, Pappas said. Following the completion of the rst phase, Headwaters began developing programs for youth and adults to visit the facility to learn about conservation, native gardening, science and more, Strack said. Once a month the facility hosts the Saturday SEAM Series where children engage in science, engineering, art and math projects centered on a theme, she said, and each fall and spring the organization o ers courses in gardening, rainwater collection and composting. “We also o er eld trips and formal education programs. We’ve been developing that in partnership with the city of New Braunfels,” Strack said. “They have a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that they fund a part-time educator that’s helped us develop this program.” The school program is aimed at fourth through sixth grade students, and Strack and Pappas hope to continue expanding educational opportunities at the facility. “We’re really at this point where we need additional buildings and facilities out here that can help us to grow the work that we’re doing and meet the needs of the community,” Pappas said. In April, Headwaters was awarded a $1.2 million grant from the New Braunfels Economic Development Corp. to be used in the construction of a facility that will house meeting and conference spaces. The Headwaters is fundraising for Phase 2, which will construct the 6,400-square-foot Center at the Headwaters facility. The facility is expected to cost $8 million with an additional 20%-30% of construction cost increases anticipated over time for a total cost of $9.11-$9.68 million. NBU is expected to contribute $4 million to the project, and the com- munity has contributed approximately $934,000 so far, according to city documents, leaving a total funding gap of approximately $1.87 million.
TRANSFORMING CONSERVATION The primary goal of the Headwaters at the Comal facility is to promote conservation e orts, educate the community about local resources and promote community involvement in preservation e orts.
Headwaters at the Comal features nature paths.
erty located at 333 E. Klingemann St. into an education and community center that would highlight local water resources and promote conser- vation e orts. Following the creation of the plan, NBU established the nonpro t orga- nization named Headwaters at the Comal to oversee the implementation of the plan and ensure the sustainabil- ity of the project, said Nancy Pappas, managing director of the Headwaters at the Comal. “They came up with a grand vision for removing all the asphalt and impervious cover on this site and restoring the buildings to become an environmental education center,” Pappas said. “That was really import- ant because this is an incredibly important environmental site [and there is] a rich historic past to this site, both with the founding of New Braunfels and this being the rst water plant here and being the rst water source for the community.” The property includes the head- springs of the Comal River, Pappas said, and archaeological evidence indicates that humans have utilized the Comal Springs as a water source for thousands of years. “We feel really strongly that this is a great place for people to come and learn about how special these water resources are,” said Lauren Strack, assistant manager at the Headwaters at the Comal. “The Comal Springs are the most signi cant springs in the whole Southwest of the United States.” The project master plan is being completed in phases, Pappas said, and the $8.4 million Phase 1 was com- pleted in 2017. Phase 1 included a natural stormwa- ter management system, the con- struction of an amphitheater, walking trails, the Comal Springs overlook and retro tting an outdoor pavilion. The rst phase also uncovered the headsprings of the Comal River and restored native plants that catch and
PHOTOS & RENDERING COURTESY HEADWATERS AT THE COMAL
2012
New Braunfels Utilities convenes a group to share ideas for unused utilities buildings surrounding the Comal Springs Conservation Center. The Comal Springs Conservation Center Master Plan is completed. A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the rst phase and work begins on various projects. Asphalt removal Replanting of indigenous trees and grasses Uncovering the headsprings of the Comal River Converting a warehouse into a learning pavilion Phase 1 is completed, and Headwaters at the Comal is established as a nonpro t organization to oversee the project and create a sustainable long-term vision. A six-month archaeological excavation takes place to research the historic signi cance of the site. A strategic plan is created by Headwaters board of directors. Work on Phase 2 is slated to begin. PHASE 2 includes: a 6,400-square-foot building with indoor spaces for education programs, exhibits, community meetings and public restrooms; a redesigned entrance from Klingemann Street; and a picnic space.
2014
Children participate in Saturday SEAM activities each month.
2016
2017
The new picnic area will feature native trees.
2018
Headwaters at the Comal 333 E. Klingemann St., New Braunfels 830-608-8937 www.headwatersatthecomal.com
2019
2022
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Once complete the center will include a 200-seat conference room, restroom facilities, a visitor center, a 60-person meeting room and more. “A lot of people really, you know, they know and they love the Comal River but don’t necessarily have the
understanding of why it’s here and how important this resource is,” Pappas said. “[It is] not just a great economic driver, a wonderful place to swim and play and have fun, but a really incredibly important rich envi- ronmental asset that we have here.”
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • AUGUST 2022
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