ACTION ALERT
Reimers Ranch, TX
(Courtesy of the Central Texas Mountaineers)
Reimers Ranch, one of the premier climbing destinations in Texas Needs Your Help!
The sale of Reimers Ranch to Travis County would ensure recreational access to the land. However, if the Travis County Bond Advisory Committee Members and the Travis County Commissioners don't hear from the community about how important we feel about continued recreation and access to this land, there is a very serious possibility that it would be developed for something other than a public park. We can't let that happen!
Please take the time to help in a letter writing campaign to the Travis County Citizens Bond Advisory Committee Members and the Travis County Commissioners. Written letters are the most effective means of showing your support, especially when paired with a follow-up phone call. Outlined below are "talking points" which you can use to incorporate in your correspondence. Pick any that you agree with, but the most important part of your letter is the answer to the question "What does this land mean to you, personally, and/or to your family?"
What is said, written, typed, etc. to any of the advisory committee members and precinct representatives will be construed as a direct reflection of the various user groups who will be utilizing Reimers as a County park. Please make sure that any correspondence will be perceived positively.
If you have less time to write your own letters, cut and paste any of the points below into an email. Every email helps and we are looking to get 1000 people to make some sort of contact with the committee members. A form letter is also available. The more communication the better, but please try to add at least one personal sentence if you can.
A list of names and contact information for Bond Advisory Board members and Travis Co. Commissioners is available here.
An example form letter can be found here. If you use this please try to personalize it in some way or include the talking points below.
The Citizens Bond Advisory Committee will advise the Commissioners whether they recommend a bond election in November for purchase of some (300 acres) of the Reimers land. The Commissioners will decide whether to approve the bond election and also whether to make the immediate purchase of 200 acres (the cliff band) of Reimers land. Please make your voice heard before the approximate date of June 27th and state your support of both the 300 acre bond and 200 acre purchase. The public meetings go through June 23rd and we are not sure of an exact decision date so send your letters and emails soon!
Thank you! We all need this park!
Talking Points:
* Historical Use
Reimers Ranch has been a recreational resource for Texans for hundreds of years, spanning generations.
(Please tell about your own personal and family experiences, and how long you have been visiting the Ranch)
* Diversity of Recreation
Reimers Ranch is an important Central Texas destination for fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming.
* Community Investment
Local climbing organizations and climbers from all over Texas have given, and would continue to voluntarily donate time and effort to maintain and improve the safety of rock climbing. Rock climbing events and competitions have raised money for local charities at Reimers for several years.
Reimers is also home to mountain bike trails developed by the community, and several races and charity events have taken place at the ranch, staffed and organized by volunteers.
* Climbing Destination
Reimers Ranch is one of the best places to rock climb in Central Texas. People come to Reimers from all over the state, the country, and even the world.
This climbing area is of such high quality that it is home to five local International World Cup-level competitors: Nick Douglas, Elizabeth Asher, Chris Locrasto, Lacey Howard, and Alice Braginsky.
* Environmental Preservation
Reimers Ranch has a thriving ecosystem unique to Central Texas. The lush springs, Pedernales River, and the flora and fauna should be preserved for generations to come as a Hill Country oasis.
* Personal Experiences
Each visitor to the Reimers Ranch has a unique personal experience, whether fishing, climbing, riding, birding, or just swimming and exploring. Many visitors have come to the Ranch most of their lives, and most visitors return as often as they can—why is that? Please tell the committee members why access to this area is important and relate your personal experiences.
* Personal Investment
Explain what you would be willing to do to support the Ranch as a Travis Co park. Indicate any support you would be willing to give to help the County maintain the land by volunteering for trash pickups, trail building, etc., and whether you would be willing to donate financially, or would urge any organization you belong to donate financially for park infrastructure and maintenance.
For more information, please visit the Central Texas Mountaineers at: www.ctmrocks.com