Parks and tourism report: Wimberley wins Bird City designation; swim season reservations off to fast start

Parks Director Richard Shaver and the city's tourism staff reported several operational updates to the council, including Wimberley's new Bird City designation, early swim-season revenue and progress on camps, sponsorships and marketing.

Shaver announced that the city received the Bird City designation from Texas Parks and Wildlife and Audubon Texas, crediting Operations Manager Erica (name as in packet) and the parks team for habitat conservation work. Parks opened reservations for the 2025 swim season on March 1; Shaver said the city took about $30,000 in sales in the first five days and noted day passes and season passes are available, with season passes sold to residents first and general public sales opening April 1. Shaver said the swim season starts May 1.

Shaver also reported spring-break and summer camp registration figures (spring break camp roughly 85% full, nature camp 40%, summer camp 26%) and described recent facility upgrades: new audio-visual equipment in Johnson Hall, renovated Cypress and Blanco rooms, and an award-winning maintenance team. The parks sponsorship program has grown from $9,000 last year to nearly $20,000 in committed sponsorships this year, Shaver said.

Tourism Director Michelle Woods (Department of Tourism) updated council on marketing and operations: the office acquired the domain HometownHolidays.com and visit78676.com (redirecting to visitwimberleytx.org), launched a monthly newsletter for lodging owners, reported gross lodging revenue up 13.5% fiscal-year-to-date, and visitor days up by about 10,000 over the same period last year. Woods said the office is working with HDL to pursue compliance among short-term rental owners paying hotel-occupancy tax and that a $5,000 HOT grant was awarded to the Wimberley Film Festival; staff also reported nearly $32,000 in sponsorships committed for the Wimberley Strong Memorial Concert.

Council asked about season-pass sales timing and whether swim-pass sales are resident-first; staff confirmed resident-only season-pass sales run through March and the general public sales open April 1. Council also asked about revenue timing and the impact of recent lodging disannexations; Woods said the number of businesses paying HOT has increased and individual business payments increased, resulting in an overall revenue increase despite some disannexations.

Council thanked parks and tourism staff for the reports; no formal action was required.