by Jim Hailey
Saturday, January 26, was the official dedication and opening of the Wildlife Viewing & Photography Blind constructed by the Good Water Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists at the new Garey Park. The dedication was held to honor and thank the generous organizations, local businesses, and individuals who contributed either their time, talent or money to this project. The volunteers of Good Water Master Naturalist put in over 700 hours to build the blind. The blind is a large structure that seats 20 people. It provides a glassed-in viewing area focused on a large water feature with flowing water and many feeders for birds. On each end of the blind, photographers will have the opportunity to set up and take photographs of the wildlife, primarily birds, that visit the feeders and bathe in the water feature.
As Project Director I would like to thank all our contributors. McCoy’s Building Supply donated all the lumber, D. Wright Inc., put in the concrete piers, Beacon Construction provided the water feature, Georgetown Deck & Fence installed the beautiful split rail fence and partnered with American Fence Supply to provide the wire, Austin Landscape Supply provided landscape rock, Thermotic Glass provided the amazing glass and Williamson County Native Plant Society of Texas did the landscaping. Others who contributed monetarily include, Wild Birds Unlimited, Williamson Audubon Group, Randy & Sandra Spurlock, Jim & Deb Hailey, Williamson County Sun, North America Nature Photographers Association, Texas Ornithological Society, and Cavity Nester Conservancy.
This would not be complete without thanking Georgetown Parks staff that supported this operation, specifically Terry Young, Paul Pekar, and Kenneth Elliot. In addition to the blind, Good Water Master Naturalists have constructed a Nature trail along the river in the park. And finally, I would like to thank Jack & Cami Garey for donating this beautiful piece of property to the City of Georgetown. If you haven’t visited the park you should and please check out the blind.
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