Save Old Baldy
As it says on CARD's
website, "Our region's true wealth lies in its unique character and
natural beauty." Protecting those virtues is a major part of CARD's
mission.
One of the unique
characteristics of the Wimberley area is "Old Baldy," that charming
and knobby hill that rises above the northwest corner of town. Generations of
Wimberley and Woodcreek folks, especially the young and the young-thinking,
have hiked up its steep sides to look out over the valley and the town below.
Some have gone up just to go, some to look, some to picnic and explore and even
to hear music and to dance. We know a youthful senior who regularly climbs its
steep stairs for exercise. And no doubt many a local person had a first kiss at
Old Baldy's summit. Go to www.saveoldbaldy.org to read nostalgic stories
and see some great old family photos.
So it should be no surprise
that CARD supports the efforts to Save Old Baldy. In fact, we are proud to
point out that several members of the CARD Steering Committee volunteered for
the hurriedly-formed Save Old Baldy Foundation.
Now that saving Old
Baldy is so close, we encourage everyone to pitch in and make it a reality. Go
to the website to learn how to contribute. Get the details on the Baldyfest
music celebration, noon-8 p.m. Saturday Nov. 8 in the party area behind the
Cypress Creek Café, 320 Wimberley Square.
You may have gotten
the impression that Old Baldy was already saved. Not yet. When the previous
owners put the cherished hill up for sale, a local couple with decades of
Wimberley and Old Baldy connections, Andrew and Lin Weber, feared the iconic
landmark would be sold to - well, to who knows what? It could be lost forever
to those who enjoy climbing those 218 steep limestone steps to the top, and to
those who just like knowing it's there, safe and unspoiled.
Save Old Baldy
Foundation, which borrowed $170,000 and bought the property. They hoped others
who shared their love of Wimberley would join in. And to a great degree, they
have. The Save Old Baldy Foundation so far has raised $43,000.
The Mayor and City
Council of Wimberley quickly agreed to buy Old Baldy, but the city could afford
less than half the cost.
"The city has a
six-month lease," says Mayor Steve Thurber. "At the end of that
lease, we have given an offer to buy it for $75,000." The mayor says the
city plans only minor improvements, and will keep Old Baldy the quiet little
adventure it has been for decades, available for folks to discover and explore.
But time is running
out. The six-month lease ends early in 2015. In order for the City to buy Old
Baldy, the Foundation must raise the additional $52,000 before the end of
January. What can you do? Visit www.saveoldbaldy.org, go enjoy Baldyfest this
Saturday, climb the hill, and chip in with a few dollars. Let's make sure Old
Baldy continues to belong to all of Wimberley Valley for decades to come.
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