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Parks manager outlines safety, access plans for Fred Jones Nature Sanctuary
Summary
Kimberly Garcia told commissioners the county removed overgrown trees and plans off-road parking and bollards at Fred Jones to reduce illegal activity while preserving trails; commissioners raised deed-based conservation limits and asked staff to balance public access with habitat protection.
Kimberly Garcia, parks department manager, told the San Patricio County Commissioners Court that staff have begun work to reduce illegal after-hours activity at Fred Jones Nature Sanctuary by removing overgrown brush and trees near the park entrance and repairing a damaged roof. "As of today, we use criminal prevention through environmental design," Garcia said, describing tree removal, improved sight lines and plans for off-road parking with bollards to keep vehicles out.
Garcia said the department will keep the trail canopy intact and is coordinating with Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries and land conservator Jake Herring on conservation-minded improvements. She said cameras and monitored operating hours are under consideration and that work on a patio and other amenities is ongoing.
Commissioners welcomed the work but urged care. "The deed that was transferred to us says we are required to maintain it for the flora and fauna," one commissioner said, noting the county must balance conservation requirements with public use. Commissioners and Garcia noted several rare native trees on the site, including three exotic palm trees the department intends to preserve.
Garcia said the parks department will continue maintenance of trails and retain trees along trailways while focusing removal on areas that created safety or visibility problems. She invited coordination with local groups, including Boy Scouts, for volunteer projects and said the department had secured grant funding for some repairs and bridge replacement work.
The commissioners did not take further action but asked staff to continue planning and to ensure improvements comply with deed restrictions and conservation priorities.
