CC Resolution No. 1338 RESOLUTION NO. 1338 2561
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
ADOPTING THE BAYTOWN NATURE CENTER MASTER PLAN AND PROVIDING
FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
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WHEREAS, in 1996, the Parks and Recreation Board (the "Board") appointed a subcommittee of
interested citizens to assist in the development of an updated master plan for the Baytown Nature Center(the
Subcommittee"); and
WHEREAS, the Board, Subcommittee, and the City's staff have worked with the SWA Group, the
City's consultant,to develop such updated plan; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Baytown were given an opportunity to voice their opinions,
recommendations, and concerns regarding the master plan during the planning process; and
WHEREAS, based upon all of the information obtained, the Board, Subcommittee, City's Staff and
the SWA Group have developed the Baytown Nature Center Master Plan, which incorporates a prioritized
twenty-year implementation schedule as well as specified project cost estimates; and
WHEREAS,the plan also includes information concerning the site's history and existing physical state
and presents goals and objectives for the site,property acquisition,planning zones, physical zones, and overall
development of the nature center; and
WHEREAS,both the Board and the Subcommittee recommend to the City Council that the Baytown
Nature Center Master Plan be adopted;NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, has reviewed and hereby adopts
the Baytown Nature Center Master Plan,which is marked Exhibit"A"and is attached hereto and incorporated
herein for all intents and purposes.
Section 2: This resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by the City
Council of the City of Baytown, Texas.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED, by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the City of
Baytown this the 16th day of December, 1997.
PETE C. ALFAR , Mayor
ATTEST:
9� Z_ .
EILEEN P. HALL, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JeKACIO RAMIREZ, SR., ttorney
c:klh7O\Council\ResolutionslAdoptingBaytownN atureCenterMasterPlan.Resolution
CITY OF BAYTOWN,TEXAS
B AY T O W N NATURE_ CENTER MASTER PLAN
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SWA GROUP - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS HOUSTON,TX
CROUCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. HOUSTON,TX
November 1997
1. Acknowledgements 3
11. Introduction 4-7
III. Planning Process 8-9
IV. History 10-12
V. Existing Environment 13-18
VI. Development Program 19
V11. The Plan 20-37
VIII. Implementation 38_44
IX. The Design Team 45
i. Appendix 46-49
ii. Appendix 50
IN. Appendix 51
iv. Appendix 52-62
TABLEOF CONTENTS
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SWA Group and Couch Environmental Services, Inc.would like to Mayor Pete C. Alfaro
acknowledge the support of the following individuals in the Master
Plan process for the Baytown Nature Center: Council Members Victor Almendarez, District 1
Scott Sheley, District 2
Manuel Escontrias, District 3
E. Frank Hinds,Jr., District 4
David Byford, District 5
Stephen DonCarlos, District 6
City of Baytown Wayne Gray, Chairman
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Henry Armstrong
Tony Fama
Bennie Kadjar
Doug Shipley
Carmen Torres
Ralph Ugalde
Baytown Nature Center David Dauphin
Planning Subcommittee Howard Hunt
Merle Hunt
Bob Nailon
Bruce Riggs
Janet Simon
W.C. Smith
Agency Liaison and Technical Advisor Brian Cain, Ph.D.-U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service
City Manager Bobby Rountree
Assistant City Managers Herb Thomas
Eileen Hall
Monte Mercer
City of Baytown David Ondrias, Director
Parks and Recreation Department Scott Johnson, Superintendent of Parks
Dean Bigham, Superintendent of Recreation
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INTRODUCTION
Site Location Map
The Baytown Nature Center is approximately
400 acres of uplands and submerged land of
the former Brownwood subdivision. Located
on a peninsula, it is surrounded by Scott Bay
to the south, Burnett Bay to the north, and
Crystal Bay with the Houston Still) Channel
i
to the west. Access to the center is presently
,a.. n AlW r -r i
I off Bayway Drive via Shreck Avenue.
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—� �� eCr 1 —11,G,�� Baytown Nature Center Planning 6qn�� y. t. 9
Subcommittee
I By .D, stile _ In 1996, the City Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board established a new
/ f,°r � �` �f subcommittee to assist the board and city
� ��— - staff in bringing special focus to the ongoing
;jam I planning and development of the Baytown
Nature Center. Its charge is to guide and
,46 direct the development of the Master Plan.
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INTRODUCTION
i
Overall Site Photo
This photo is an aerial view of the Baytown
Nature Center from the southwest.
Wooster Point is at the bottom of the
photograph, Scott Bay to the lower right,
Crystal Bay to the left, and Burnett Bay at
the top. The French Limited Wetland
Restoration Project is in the center of the
image.
Tw-• ,
3
r � f
Birdseye view
i
Detail
The view taken in this photograph (left) is
the completed French Limited Wetland
--r Project showing the creation of a newwetland
area,a major amenity of the Baytown Nature
Center. This area is located at the
southwestern-most part of the Nature Center
_a and provides an area for hiking,nature study,
and outdoor educational activities.
Wetland Area Detail
The photo at the lower left shows San Jacinto
Point,located at the northwestern part of the
Nature Center. This site provides an excellent
place for fishing,picnicking,walking,jogging,
and bird watching.
San Jacinto Point
INTRODUCTION
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i
Consultant Selection and Contract Planning Schedule
Award The schedule outlined a five month program
SWA Group and its consultant, Crouch for development of the Master Plan. Work
Environmental Services, Inc.,were selected began in late March, 1997,with a program
in February, 1997, by the City of Baytown. of work sessions and master planning tasks
The scope of work included the creation of a leading to completion of the Master Plan in
Master Plan with a Long Range Development November,1997.
Plan for the Baytown Nature Center. SWA
was authorized to proceed March 19, 1997.
First Workshop and Site Tour
A workshop meeting and site tour was held
on Sunday, May 4,1997. The purpose of the
meeting was to brainstorm opportunities and
goals for the Nature Center through
discussion of the topics: Stewardship &
Conservation, Access & Use,and Policy and
Regulation. The design team reviewed the
physical characteristics of the Nature Center
property,discussed the master plan schedule
and reviewed the planning time frames for
the Center; see pages 38-40 for the
implementation phasing strategies.
Nature Center planning session set Thursday night Second workshop
The Design Team presented its planning
studies at the second workshop meeting on
By CHRISM MESSA Center's Tejas Room, 2407 Market The nature center was added to May 29, 1997, at the Baytown Community
7be[krlioicn,Sun St. the Great Texas Birding Trail in Center. The purpose of this meeting was to
"fhe Parks and Recreation Advi- April, introduce a preliminary plan for the Nature
Baytown residents are invited to sory Board and the Baytown Na- Consuhants will discuss the cen- Center and to receive input and response
offer their suggestions about the ture Center Planning Subcommittee ter's habitat in terns of its possible from Baytown citizens,members of the Parks
continued development of the Bay- are holding a joint work session to uses and limitations and offer their and Recreation Advisory Board and the
town Nature Center during a city hear the public's ideas for the420- ovwt ideas for the site. Baytown Nature Center Planning
brainstorm session at 5 p.m.Thurs- acre nature center, located off Bay- The consultants will also wel- Subcommittee.
day in the Baytown Community way Drive on Schreck Road. come advice from residents.
Following this presentation,the design team
refined the master plan and developed
enlarged plans for the entry and San Jacinto
Point areas of the Center. These refinements
were presented to the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board and the Baytown Nature
_ Center Planning Subcommittee at a joint
Mapping and Concepts meeting on June 30, 1997.
( �JQiTptOtUlT a�llll
SWA developed planning studies that
71WWNIownNature center imtwnsgrcrner) included Physical Zone Diagram, Planning Presentation of Plans and Draft
-- Zone Diagram, Property ownership Diagram, Report
and Preliminary Program Diagram in SWA Group and its consultant, Crouch
response to the feedback from the Baytown Environmental Services, Inc., presented the
Nature Center Planning Subcommittee on the plans and draft report to the Parks and
+` May 4 workshop. Recreation Advisory Board and the Baytown
Nature Center Planning Subcommittee at a
Media Coverage Dint meeting on August 12, 1997.
The master planning process received notice
E1 . IServce a MAa¢ax Mk
,A�IYn Wai *1 Muo F'.a.b.9d
in the Baytown newspaper, The Baytown Sun,
b� with announcements for the public planning
session on May 29, 1997.
PROCESSIII. PLANNING
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3 A Brief History of the Brownwood By the early 1970s there were over 400
Peninsula homes in the Brownwood subdivision,and it
The coastal margin of southeast Texas, was considered a prime and desirable place
including the Brownwood area,has seen great to live. Withdrawal of underground water and
' changes over its history. Dining the Ice Ages, subsequent land subsidence caused the area
the Brownwood area was well inland of the to sink 10 to 15 feet. In 1961, Hurricane
coast. After the Pleistocene period, around Carla caused serious flooding and many
t 3,500 years ago, the sea level rose until it residents lost their homes. Pumps and levees
reached approximately its current level. were installed to protect the neighborhood,
Evidence of human habitation along the Texas but proved to be inadequate. After Hwricane
coast dates from 11,000 to 12,000 years ago. Alicia in 1983, many residents sold their
In the Pre-Columbian period,the Galveston properties and others were required to leave.
Bay estuary system provided a rich Utility services were cut off, most of houses
environment for hunting and gathering for the were demolished and most of the land area
�t indigenous Indian tribes of Akokisa, became the properly of the City of Baytown.
The river bars and peninsulas that defined
<arankawa,and others. Deer,wildfowl, fish,
1993 Context Photo and shellfish were available in abundance,as Burnett,Crystal,and Scott Bays disappeared
were nuts, berries,and edible roots. during the years of subsidence, exposing the
shoreline to serious wave erosion.The changes
Tentatively explored by Europeans in the 17th caused by groundwater withdrawal and
and 18th centuries, the area finally was subsidence meant the loss of the fresh water
settled by ranchers and cotton farmers in the springs that were historically found in Crystal
early to mid-19th century. In 1824 the Bay'
Mexican Republic granted Nathaniel Lynch
a league of land (which roughly comprised
the Brownwood land mass) for farming and
stock raising. By 1892 the land had passed
into the hands of O.A.Wooster and W.D.Crow,
who then passed it to E.R. Brown. In 1912
Brown sold the western properties to the
United States for the construction of the
Houston Ship Channel. In the late 1930s he
subdivided the remaining property into the
Brownwood Subdivision.
IV. HISTOR-Ylo
6
h� After Hurricane Alicia, the area was left
t fallow for more than a decade. Nearby
residents used the abandoned streets and
i� ;, " home slabs for bird watching, fishing and
� `� picnicking. Some of the roads were gated
with steel pipe in an attempt to control illegal
" - dumping. Salt water intrusion into the
neighborhood created shallowtidal wetlands
1 4— in the lower lying areas, and the abandoned
storm drains provided a conduit for tidal
water.
r-
.� � In 1995 the southwestern portion of the
subdivision was selected as a wetlands
mitigation site for the French Limited
Superfund cleanup project. Sixty acres of
the subdivision were plowed and transformed
' into a mix of tidal wetlands, fresh and
Subsidence and flooding brackish water pools, and upland forest
.. habitats.
v
In 1997 the Baytown Nature Center was
designated both as a site on the Great Texas
a I Coastal Birding Trail by Texas Parks and
Wildlife and a United States Important Bird
Area by the American Bird Conservancy.
er. These designations are recognitions the
variety and quantity of local and migratory
tory
birds that find refuge and forage on the site.
Transformation back to nature
ClioCultural History
In planning for the management of any
•• T"W- habitat at Baytown Nature Center, special
ARTESIAN KART wr0p preconsirvatiion must be nandinerpret do of he
F n°P preservation and interpretation of the cultural
values existing within the area. However;the
location and extent of each of the cultural
areas is not known with certainty.
In addition to historic cultural components
of the Baytown Nature Center, there are
prehistoric sites. The area was an obvious
destination for native Americans because of
important resources, including fresh water,
fish and shellfish, and bigger game.
q ��4,4 Prehistoric shell midden sites have been
f4i, _ documented in the area. While much Is known
s" about the nature and distribution of shell
I •^. �, midden sites along the area's waterways,little
is known about the use of prairie and forest
resources. While exploitation of forest
resources obviously occurred, few coastal
: sites in forest settings have been identified
and studied.
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IV. HISTORY12
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Topography
.� The topographic elevations of the Baytown
_ Nature Center range from a high of 15-20
�•�t :,; - feet above sea level to just a few feet above
sea level. (The normal waters of the San
Jacinto River and the Burnett, Crystal, and
Scott Bays are 3-4 feet above true mean sea
level.)The land is at its highest along the east
�/lfM
property line and the Bayway Drive frontage.
Sloping gently to the west for several hundred
feet,the land makes a sharp drop to just above
sea level. Most of the western land lies 2-4
r •J-- -- feet above water level,with a third of that at
or below normal water level,creating pockets
A . _ _ - I' of internal wetlands.
Hydrology
�v The slope of the upland area is flat enough
. ,- y 9 ; —• i - to create numerous small pockets of saturated
". soils during the wet part of the year. Runoff
--- - �'- �: from the east, including Bayway Drive, is
'..,G 5'C9TT ;g- intercepted by the Steinman Ditch, which
j r drains to the north along the east property
JRht f line. The central part of the site receives
runoff from the upper property by sheet flow
and by the abandoned roadside ditches. in
<r the western part of the site there are
cry a numerous small pockets of trapped fresh
water which become brackish from
—. "' infiltrating salt water during dry spells. It is
possible that there are some minor fresh
water artesian flows from shallow aquifers
that aid in replenishing some of the fresh
water pockets.
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I
Vegetation Natural History
Historically, the peninsula was divided into It is difficult to establish with certainty the
several well-delineated habitats including vegetation series of habitats which have been
intermediate and brackish marshes, upland so influenced by the occupation of the site,
coastal prairies,oak mottes,and bottomland but remaining elements suggest certain
hardwood forest. The boundaries between affiliations. The lowest portion of the forest
these habitats were maintained by seasonal includes mature specimens of water oak, and
and perennial hydrology and by fire. native pecan.The presence of willow oak,live
Bottomland hardwood forest occupied a oak, sugarberry and cedar elm suggest that
relatively narrow band along drainage-ways the vegetation be ascribed to the water oak-
where available soil moisture permitted the coastal live oak series. Stratification of
quick establishment of canopy-forming components by elevation also suggests that a
deciduous hardwood trees.Once established, water oak-willow oak designation for
these trees were resistant to the natural fires bottomland habitat,grading to a sugarberry-
which occasionally swept through adjacent eim series community on slightly higher
prairies. terraces,might be more appropriate. Mottes
of live oak were the result of prairie dynamics
Since the arrival of European Americans in and may not have been related tothe presence
the region, the mosaic of habitats has been of bottomland hardwoods nearby.
altered by agricultural practices, selective
harvest of trees, changes in hydrology, Much of the need for enhancement and
introduction of exotic flora and fauna, and management of this area results from
alteration of natural process regimes, invasion of exotic species,principally Chinese
including the elimination of fire. The Baytown tallow and Japanese privet. These species and
Nature Center bottomland hardwood forests the lack of fire to maintain prairie/forest
are believed to have occupied the tributaries edges have resulted in the disappearance of
of the San Jacinto River. a native mid-story. Aside from yaupon and
elderberry, the historic composition of this
The present document will address the mid-story is unknown.Species consistent with
restoration and management of the habitat other forested sites in the vicinity suggest that
which occupied tributaries of San Jacinto arrow wood, viburnum, deciduous yaupon,
River,freshwater marsh and salt water marsh rough-leaf dogwood, and several of the
in the Baytown Nature Center. hawthorns would all be appropriate.
• o
The understory and ground cover are dense saturated soils should be considered. The
under the existing forested upland canopy,but habitat of the bottomland hardwood forest
sparse understory vegetation may represent is one component of a habitat mosaic which
the historic condition under the closed canopy includes tallgrass prairie, emergent marsh,
of the mature forest.It might also be expected marsh meadow, and open water. Maximum
that in the mature forest, a mosaic of diversity of native wildlife will require
understory and prairie species would exist management of each of these habitats,with
near edges and small natural clearings.The special attention to year-round availability of
death of old trees and disturbances from food,water and cover.
windstorms and fires would have provided the
opportunity for establishment of shade Freshwater is a particular concern. Prior to
tolerant grasses and woodland fortis. subsidence and erosion,the natural drainage-
Although narrow, the bands of forest which ways and ponds are believed to have been
lined the secondary and tertiary drainages fresh enough to have provided year-round
of the lower San Jacinto River may have drinking water for terrestrial wildlife. The
exhibited clearly demarcated zones, from existing marsh has become considerably
prairie to thickly overgrown edges of shrubs saltier, and availability of fresh water could
and vines to closed canopy forest. This become a limiting factor for a number of
suggests that careful placement of edge wildlife species because of subsidence,
species during enhancement and introduction channelization in the river,and erosion of the
of fire may be Important to successful marsh permitting intrusion of river water. In
management. addition, permanent fresh water supports
fresh water plant communities and habitats
Another important consideration in the for a variety of fresh water aquatic organisms,
management of the site is the existing further increasing diversity and providing
topography and hydrology.The mature water additional values for terrestrial and
oaks and native pecans which now grace the semiaquatic wildlife.
site germinated and grew to maturity at a
time when the elevation of the forest floor All recommendations for the enhancement
was ten or eleven feet higher than its present and management of the Baytown Nature
elevation.Trees which were once seventeen Center bottomland hardwood forest and fresh
feet above sea level are now only two to seven and saline marshes will be made with a
feet above sea level.Although subsidence due sensitivity to adjacent habitats and the roles
to ground water pumping has been these habitats play together in supporting a
terminated, negative impacts to trees from diverse and healthy ecosystem.
salt water inundation and drowning in
'iV. EXISTING ' 1
Wildlife
Although little effort has been made to
formally inventory the fauna of the
bottomland hardwood forest, observations
indicate that many of the native vertebrate
species expected to occur historically in this
habitat are still present. An appropriate
diversity of amphibians and reptiles has been
observed,and although little is known of the
small mammals present,rabbits,cats and fox
squirrels,bobcats,coyotes and whitetail deer
are known to forage between the forest and
the marshes,pipeline and high line easements.
Enhancement of the forest should take into
account the habitat needs of these species.
Some signs of beaver activity have been seen
near the Myra C. Brown Bird Sanctuary.
While much of the land passed
into the
f L ownership of the City of Baytown,
significant number of parcels remain in
ya`il
private hands, in either fee-simple or in a
partial undivided interest with the City of
Z Baytown. Some of these lands are isolated
subdivision lots,some are groups of lots,and
som
® �+A,1a� ��. I•r}1,5.y� at, t.• r '1 M - large ots is uncertain with I
o����� �Q�®_ 910��� n',�6j1'4•. ao /7'17 0��' property.the rI properties claimants
I in undividedare owned
by one party, including some of the larger
aoa aaa±r, n ° �n'7as�' unplatted tracts in the northeast part of the
r; q"
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L;u rdE�rAA:�R: �M'1S°�;* y,Vn+ a<, '�v� F.a Z•'Ia �A *�+.^c
9AAE7Ci9! .`ltlSF" 'A9A"r ��4�r���•, , � ,� {`` ��.'
str ■r�q or=
PROPERTY NOT OWNED BY THE CITY
f. 2
PROPERTY 2/3OWNED BY THE CITY
V. EXISTING ENVIRONMENTI
Existing Structures and
Infrastructure
Much of the original infrastructure of the
Brownwood subdivision remains abandoned
on the property. Most oft lie roads,al though
in a state of disrepair and sometimes under
„-; water, are still in place. The underground
utilities such as the water and storm drain
sY lines, sewer Tines and gas lines,though long
since cut off,are also still in place and must
be dealt with when excavating or modifying
the terrain.Almost al I of the overhead power
lines and poles have disappeared,except for
the high-tension power transmission line that
runs from San Jacinto Point in the west and
between the old Harvey Drive and
MacArthur Avenue to the east. Numerous
house slabs and a few houses remain, and
tr traces of many shell driveways are still
visible.
V. EXISTING .O
c3 aY 1 r }kngs� NA�i���t,:' Sy skk ;�r.,i'nq
5�€�"g�'
r .,, ..tw t i �t�,t tiSt�'� a- +v`£°�'�rF "'{,tr '� � t�'m -'` �"�+kaa Sj, t x a x w s'}. e�. �j1�nw •3
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Goals and Objectives Nature Center Activities
The Baytown Nature Center Planning Activities that would further the goals of
Subcommittee was formed by the Baytown conservation, education and passive
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and recreation form the framework for developing
made up of Baytown citizens interested in a program for the Baytown Nature Center
protecting and enhancing a large piece of bay Master Plan.
side property for the purposes of conservation,
education and passive recreation. First and central to the program are the many
elements of conservation: protection of
valuable existing habitat, enhancement of
marginal or degraded habitat, and
construction of new habitat niches to create
a sound bay-side ecosystem.
4•� � i{_, 'mil k•` In addition to natural systems stewardship,
I ' creating opportunities for education forms the
t second priority of the program.The Baytown
Nature Center provides a laboratory for the
study of man's interactions with nature over
time. The program includes a nature center
interpretive facility with classrooms, an
auditorium, a museum,and parking. It also
includes a network of trails that allows groups
t and individuals to explore,discover and learn
about the various wildlife communities that
�,�"'• exist on the property.
,; t� • Thirdly, for the many who want to visit the
bay to enjoy a sunset walk, to jog, to fish,
and to picnic, the Nature Center provides
adequate recreational opportunities without
introducing conflicts with the needs of
conservation or education.
Hy,w yx; �!" vl : vit^�Y t� MyV'i
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'Not,
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t i( t r'.rrTd✓G�IX�'�' yFa: v, da�bwd �.(,^�, SyY �vyyyyk.. L'" � SS y�y C.� Fv >f �b $. d ,v,l v �bp v`fi C, ei.;��,
✓d$ 'dF•� i sY F„ �'[%'5 ��x� .G.' H£kA� '�Trt�b i 'rt Y P.. )'a '.t _'�'i1��I� �C�
Property Acquisition
Because
, II I• I . parcels
. . III.
r- wholly owned by the City of Baytown, I
a�*y y kYalparamount importance / resolve
of property ownership. While some
improvements can be made to the Nature
Center without first clarifying property
ownership, much of the Y work of providing
�;,/'Jo� /f�;,���ti a ■ ,��A\�1�i. }�M `l�jkj.� i T� PTti:. S ��. good access • • - 1 ibuilding : and
creatingimproved .Iitat areas,cannot occur
without clear title to the property.
CCC �67'"; 1b - ✓�,a]il i - diagrammatic property m.1 shows
�#CC A7•n�: 14 L� r: + �� i��. - \' ri * >•"tiextent� of the
■ properties that shI 1 be
acquired I implement the master plan.
a... 57 ma t-. •�, .. 1
���gyy. ,,�1}��ICA((t�A9r e n 661rpf, qp� I6 t�yt f -J'a e4� '_ram � •+� !�!•
3i:1Y.•3711r ,�;�Y �Y I����}S}i��M{qdq{�� L0d1�s�R�4i IL�L�.(j "y 11,+
® ���n UA I� , ,� NNppCC � ' Y.IIT \� AI1'il \L � � •. q
Pooh ee00��0�w®`�� PROPERTY I : ACQUIRED -
3 NEEDED TO BE ACQUIRED BY TH ITY
1/2 NEEDED TO BE ACQUIRED BY THE CITY
PROJECT BOUNDARY/PROPERTY LINE
I 1500 3000
- NORTH VII. THE PLAN2�
The Planning Zones
This plan shows the general zones of existing
conditions for the entire site. This information
' was used to designate major use zones and
protected areas. From this plan,the site takes
on some of its themes such as the Post Oak
i• Savannah,Inner Salt Water Marsh,and San
SAN JACINTOY,OINT -a�
' r` Jacinto and Wooster Points.
BURNETT BAY SHb
iv
A %
ENTR
J QTTS BAY
ri' fl fu :r .d,•. INLET `R 1
.� . .
�+ FRENCH LIMIIWD :. '
" t WETLANDS'
0 1500 3000
NORTH VII. THE PLAN 21
i
The Physical Zones
� Y Shown are the specific physical conditions
i1 2t present on the site. The diversity of the site
q ��y ��.� �- becomes apparent as opportunities and
constraints are more clearly defined. From
this plan, the detailed site plans are
51~
� •, •, , . � 3 �, c'' L developed.
A COASTAL PROTECTION ZONE
g1W P+a B SHORELINE EDGE
c EXISTING OPEN TIDAL WATERS
D SALTWATER MARSH
E SALTWATER/FRESHWATER
, :. TRANSITION ZONE
F FRESHWATER POND
.i
G COASTAL GRASSLAND
H BOTTOMLAND HARDWOODS
o `'1
UPLAND MIXED FOREST
K COASTAL FOREST
1 G
F %
B={{
N
0 1500 3000
NORTH
Overall Program Diagram
ENTRY GATE
INTERPRETIVE CENTER
S Y � 'f ��,�, C PARKING LOT
K " D ENTRY POND
S E TRAIL
F DIVERSION
G FRESHWATER POND
H ONE—WAY ROAD
2
OBSERVATION PIER
R \ TWO—WAY ROAD
':; K ONE—WAY LOOP
' _ Jv L STREAM
M BREAKWATER/SURGE BARRIER
J �! „ ' N ENHANCED TIDAL MARSH
M D /.�, 0 BUTTERFLY GARDEN
A II P PARKING POCKET
NATURE DISCOVERY PLAYGROUND
R RESTROOMS
FISHING AND CRABBING PIER
TRAIL/SERVICE DRIVE
BOARDWALK
}}
W EDUCATIONAL PAVILION
Vol,
X OBSERVATION BLIND
� � ��� ! " 'J�•,�1,�'� S'/// Y PICNICKING
� i 11 i �~ } A �¢ d y��(i Z FUTURE SALTWATER TIDAL MARSH
i FRENFH llµ NG
IrEAlvCY NOS '
i
lJ
0 1500 3000
NORTH
I
The Entry
A proposed new entry for the property leads
from Bayway Drive between Foster Street
+K and Harvey Drive. The treeless land on either
side of the entry drive will be shaped to create
a small retention pond on one side and
screening berms on the other.Native trees and
vegetation will be planted around the pond
and along the property edges. A simple pipe
gate set into low stone or colored concrete
pilasters will control traffic, and low profile
fix. ,•}; signs will identify the Nature Center. Signs
E,
will use positive language to describe the
appropriate and permissible activities within
" t the center.
r,A.
0 300 600
NORTH
The Entry Drive
The entry drive will introduce visitors to the
Nature Center by slowing them down and
giving them a sense of separation from the
busy world behind them. It will provide the
opportunity to establish a control center to
monitor the entry. The drive will be sinuous
and narrow,with minimal clearing on either
side. The lanes will be separated by a varying
width median of trees so that, even in a
vehicle, you will feel as if you are on a trail,
x, not a boulevard. The drive passes the
Interpretive Center, crosses a small stream
and winds downward to the bay near the
current intersection of Shreck Avenue and
Bayshore Drive.
The road will be constructed of asphalt on a
high quality base to minimize damage to the
adjacent vegetation during construction and
to give the drive a softer look and feel.Shreck
Drive will be closed at the west entry below
Westwood Park giving the Baytown Nature
Center one point of entry and control off
Bayway. Vehicular traffic will be allowed only
on the designated road to San Jacinto Point
and the Post Oak Savannah parking areas,
h f.
AA BERMING AND FOREST CREATION GG DIPPING DOCK
BB DITCH HH LOOP PONDTRAIL
CC BUS/VAN PARKING JJ FRESHWATERTRAIL
DD DROP OFF KK SALTWATERTRAIL
EE SCREENED PORCHES o soo 000
FF OBSERVATION PIER NORTH V11. THE '
I
i
{
The Interpretive Center
The Interpretive Center is the rallying point
for the natural sciences and history
educational programs on the property. It will
provide barrier-free access to all facilities,
including classrooms, an auditorium, rest
rooms,storage,and administrative space. It
will be constructed of masonry, wood, and
glass, with generous sheltered decks
overlooking a freshwater dipping pond. It
should exemplify efficient energy use, good
use of natural lighting and ventilation,as well
as appropriate use of materials.
The parking area will provide parking for
school buses, spaces for 110 cars, and the
capacity to add 40 additional spaces. A space
will be available for a seasonal manager
should one be needed.
The Trail System
Trails will lead in all directions from the
Interpretive Center.Trails,where possible,will
be gravel, decomposed granite or mulch.
There will be some small foot bridges and a
number of boardwalks to cross or enter low
areas.
Trails will permit discovery of the uplands,
lead to the Myra C. Brown Bird Sanctuary,
SEE PAGE 25 FOR LEGEND and take the visitor past the freshwater ponds
to the saltwater marshes and Wooster Point.
0 300 600
NORTH
The Uplands and Freshwater Ponds seedling form,removal of invasive species such property. A four acre pond east of the
Much of the uplands forest is second growth as tallow and ligUSt um, and other saltwater marsh will provide an excellent
vegetation reclaiming old farmland. The management techniques will be necessary to habitat for migratory wildfowl.
Master Plan calls for a long-term program realize the full potential of the upland area.
of vegetation stewardship to encourage a The ponds will be carefully shaped to create
greater diversity of trees and understory,and The Master Plan calls for the water from the openings in the wooded upland area. The
to provide better shelter and forage for Steinman ditch into the park to feed a string openings will create a greater variety in
wildlife. Selective clearing of the dense of retention ponds which will cross the uplands habitat along their edges. Such edge
understory, planting hardwood species in area,flow under the entry drive,and descend conditions are called ecotones;they provide
to the freshwater ponds in the heart of the special environments for plants, soil
organisms, aquatic life, insects, birds and
mammals. Gentle swales will carry the water
from one pond to the next, with sufficient
sinuosity to provide for slow movement of the
water and to create additional ecological
niches.
While it is possible that there may be some
small amount of artesian well water when
the four acre pond is excavated, the ponds
may not always hold water,especially during
a dry period. It will be wise to plan for a
small well to feed the system, from the
uplands near the Interpretive Center, during
a drought.
There are some areas of saltwater pending
that easily could be converted into fresh or
brackish water by restricting the tidal flow
of salt water into the pond and encouraging
the flow of fresh water runoff into the pond.
One example is just off Harvey Drive near
Bayshore Drive where there is a significant
watershed collected by the old street ditches
that easily can be diverted into an area
alread
y pending from tidal influence.
The Saltwater Marsh The Master Plan suggests completing the
Significant areas of the Nature Center are at work begun by the French Limited Project
or below sea level and are subject to high and opening up deeper waterways from the
tides,high river flows,and storm surges.These south side to the north side of the land mass.
already inundated areas can be considerably Although the water channels should extend
enhanced in their biological productivity by fingers into all the intertidal areas, the
improving and increasing the tidal flow of channels need not be as wide as they are in
nutrient-laden water. the French Limited site. Care needs to be
taken when making the north-south
connection,to control the amount of water
that tides push through the site to avoid
excessive velocities and erosion.
Some of the existing roads can be used in
part for trail access, and some of them will
- --— -----7 e excavate The excavated material can
j be used to create small upland areas for the
protection of trees and for use as natural
observation areas within the saltwater marsh
area.
Trails often should be hidden from the open
marsh areas by vegetation or small berms to
prevent visitors from disturbing natural
wildlife and to screen visitors from one
another.
A shelter, proposed at the far southwestern
corner of Wooster Point, will provide shade
and rain protection for visitors. It will also
be utilized for outdoor classroom teaching
purposes.
San Jacinto Point and Peninsula access. added later.
San Jacinto Peninsula juts into the bay to A short multiuse pier will extend from the Barriers will be created to prohibit vehicles
the west from the main land mass. This west end of the point for fishing, watching from driving off designated routes. These
natural isolation makes it the ideal place to the sun set, and observing the San Jacinto barriers will aid in protecting the sensitive
locate fishing,jogging,walking and picnicking Monument. environments in the Nature Center.
activities, thus minimizing the potential
conflicts with wildlife conservation and The road will split into a one-way loop at In the center of the driveway loop there is a
observation. the end of the peninsula to minimize the width place for a nature discovery playground. The
of the pavement and to simplify traffic playground should have distinctive play
Fishing is a popular activity along the Nature movement. Small pockets of head-in parking, environments that teach children about the
Center shoreline,and a number of fishing piers three to four spaces each, will occur along natural world around them. It might include
in the shape of perpendicular groins are the drive, with a larger area of parking at a treasure hunt of imprints of animal tracks,
proposed along the north side of the peninsula the west pier. Overall there will be 60 spaces, a climbing structure in the form of a buffalo
into Burnett Bay. Some of the groins will be with the option of additional parking pockets skeleton, or a swing hanging from a
topped with concrete walks to facilitate reproduction of a hollow tree snag with all
its attendant habitats.
Picnic tables need to be convenient to the
parking pockets, sheltered with new tree
t plantings and located away from the old,
mature live oaks to avoid damaging them by
soil compaction.
A portable restroom set into a permanent
support will be located near the central nature
o soo 1000
NORTH
`"1'i�: � AY nit ��LL4rY
N Tien
i
The Post Oak Savannah
�. '• ��"'- , ti.. The large group of mature trees,mostly
post oaks, near Bayshore Drive and
Ridgeway Avenue provide an important
v. 'fte. source of shelter for migratory songbirds
rl and other wildlife. This area must be
restricted from vehicular traffic and even
heavy levels of pedestrian use if the post
Moaks are to survive.
The Master Plan calls for containment
of the fresh water runoff to maximize its
Ropportunity to soak into the ground and
keep the saltwater intrusion to a
�• ;„• minimum.
Another loop drive is proposed around
` the east side of the grove of trees to
provide parking pockets for visitors to
u w r r fit' . the saltwater marsh area and the French
Limited site. The loop will accommodate
forty-five parking spaces, a tee
intersection, a butterfly garden, and an
� ,. occasional school bus area with a pull-
off bay for loading and unloading.
0 500 1000
NORTH
off bay for loading and unloading.
Myra C. Brown Bird Sanctuary and
. � Westwood Park
Foot trails lead from the Interpretive Center
Nil
to the Bird Sanctuary as well as from the
xr � entry drive near the bay. The sanctuary has
' � z a freshwater pond which was created as a
borrow pit in the sixties and early seventies.
This secluded pond has a natural outfall into
the saltwater marsh at the east end of the
�✓ pond and has beaver activity at the outfall.
Because of the narrowness of the land at that
y. point, it should be closely monitored to be
sure that erosion does not allow the saltwater
to contaminate the freshwater pond.
Shreck Avenue will be closed with a
{i > W turnaround at the west parking lot entry to
Westwood Park. The road needs to be
? " removed for a short distance and planted with
0 500 1000
NORTH
77M trees to screen the old road corridor.
The Shoreline Perimeter The U.S.Army Corps of Engineers has a long-
Due to subsidence and the resulting loss of range plan to use dredge spoils from ship
06, A the protective river sand banks, the current channel maintenance and enlargement
{jq shoreline of the Baytown Nature Center is dredging to create newwetlandsshallowsand
4t now fully exposed to wave erosion from wind channel islands in selected areas of Galveston
r, and storm as well as from ship wakes from Bay. The plan, called the Beneficial Uses
�« the busy Ship Channel. The long term survival Plan, includes the reconstruction of islands
of the land mass will rely on some system of off the west shore of the Nature Center that
shoreline protection. In addition to causing historically defined and protected Burnett
erosion, wave action discourages marsh Bay,Crystal Bay and Scott Bay.
grasses from taking hold, which further
compounds the erosion problems. This large-scale dredging project is beginning
at the south end of the Galveston Bay and
The Master Plan calls for breakwaters or will be many years before it reaches Baytown.
surge barriers to protect the shoreline where However there is the possibility of capturing
needed. clean dredge material from other smaller,
nearby projects at an earlier date for local
The breakwaters should be located far enough shoreline stabilization and breakwater
from the shore to allow sediments to fill in
behind them, so that saltwater marshes can
begin to form in the protected waters, thus
providing a rich source of habitat as well as
a second level of shoreline protection.
Depending on the depth and condition of the
bottom,the distance from the shore will vary.
Some of the breakwaters will provide
excellent areas for fishing,crabbing,and bird
watching; therefore, in various places, the
Master Plan recommends topping the
concrete rubble with a continuous path to
facilitate access.
Perimeter Security Depending on the configuration of the existing
The Baytown Nature Center is a special street, there may be a turn-around
resource for the local and regional constructed at the end of the new cul-de-sac.
communities. Its success as a facility for Standard "Dead End" street signs will be
conservation, education and passive located attheentrytothestreetsandparking
recreation will depend on careful and on- management signs will be installed as needed.
going management of the natural systems and Existing underground utilities will be capped
human usage. at the property line if they have not already
been so adjusted.
Control of entry onto the property will consist
of a perimeter fence,closure of a number of The perimeter fence may change from game
existing streets that lead into the property, fencing to an alternative material where the
and one entry location. neighborhood would like to have a more
aesthetic view to open water.The west end of
The perimeter fence,generally running along Crow Road is such a street.
the eastern property line,will be constructed
outofaheavy-dutysixto eight footfall game The following streets will be closed with a
fence attached to heavy duty treated lumber berm and fence:
or steel posts. The game fence will be less Harvey Drive
visually obtrusive than a chain link fence both MacArthur Avenue
in the Nature Center and in the adjacent Katherine Street
neighborhood. It will be constructed to Cabarriss Street
discourage entry of unauthorized vehicles, Stuart Street
pedestrians and neighborhood dogs. Locked Midway Street
gates will be constructed for utility company Linwood Drive
access at the overhead power transmission Park Drive
and pipeline corridors. East Park Drive
Abandoned streets that run into the park will
be closed at the park boundary. The pavement
will be removed for fifty to one hundred feet
and replaced with a sloping soil berm behind
the property line and fence;the berm will be
planted with trees and native shrubs.
V11. THE . ,
At the main entry, the typical perimeter
fencing will extend up to the Bayway Drive
property corners on either side of the entry
drive. A low, decorative steel fence will
connect the property corners with the entry
drive gate, which is a simple, lockable steel
pipe gate. The intent of the Bayway frontage
fence is to control vehicular entry without
creating a visual barrier for the visitor's first
exposure to the Baytown Nature Center.
Vegetative Stewardship and Access to and appropriate interpretation of
Wildlife Management the cultural and biological values of the
Baytown Nature Center will be provided for
Objectives: the public.
1. A holistic habitat and ecosystem
based approach to management will Removal of Unwanted Vegetation
drive the planning and management This is a critical phase of enhancement and
process to ensure system integrity, must be conducted with sensitivity.
stability, and integration with Mechanical removal of Japanese privet and
adjacent habitats. Chinese tallow to 3 inches diameter breast
2. Enhancement activities will not be height will be followed by chemical control
initiated which cannot be sustained of larger tallows. Preparation of the site for
vegetation removal will include flagging of
by an appropriate commitment to trees less than 8 inches diameter breast height
subsequent management. which are to be removed. All tallow trees
will be removed or chemically killed. Other
3. Deviation from hydrology and trees scheduled for removal will bechemlcally
species composition now found on- killed where they are expected to have value
site will be carefully considered and as snags for wildlife,and physically removed
will be allowed only for the purpose from the site in areas which are to be
of enhancing the values of the site maintained by burning or shredding. Trees
for endemic wildlife. and brush which are not bearing seed may be
4. A vegetation structure closely piled and left for habitat.
resembling the 1836 structure ofthe Unwanted vegetation which bears seed at the
forest will be sought for support of time of clearing must be burned or removed
historic and biological interpretation from the park. Removal of native vegetation
of the resource. will be solely for the purpose of replicating
5. Inventories of flora and fauna will the structure of the native forest. This
be completed structure has been altered by woodland,
p prior to freshwater and saltwater marsh expansion
commencement of enhancement due to secondary growth.
activities and will be followed by
appropriate monitoring.
No areas will be cleared which cannot be Implementation of Undesired
accessed and maintained by shredding with Revegetation Control Measures
existing Parks Department equipment. Final Upon removal of unwanted vegetation in
decisions regarding the removal of unwanted the forested areas, increased sunlight and
vegetation under the canopy of the forest will bare soil conditions are expected to result
be made and/or approved by the parks in a flush of unwanted vegetation from
director. existing seed stocks. Species expected to
dominate this regrowth include Chinese
At the center and southern ends of the project tallow, persimmon, macartney rose,
area and along the shoreline of the bay,open Japanese privet, and groundsel tree. This
water supports a peripheral marsh of
emergent smooth cordgrass grading into initial regrowth must be suppressed until
more desirable native plants and plantings
wiregrass meadow. This marsh and meadow
habitat is an important component of the can become established. Suppression will
require mechanical or chemical Intervention
park ecosystem and is quite productive. This and may require a full growing season or
community is healthiest where the sixty acre longer before subsequent plantings are
French Limited Task Group, Inc., has been advisable.
established and in small pockets along the
edge of the bay. Enhancement of the site In areas accessible to tractors, seasonal
will include removal of all woody vegetation shredding may be sufficient to stress and
from potential marsh/meadow habitat as eventually kill undesired regrowth of the
feasible, and seasonal shredding as needed species listed above with the exception of
to discourage invasion of woody vegetation. macartney rose. Treatment with herbicides
Every effort will be made to establish and also might prove necessary.Spot treatment
maintain this marsh/meadow along the edges or application with a suspended herbicide
of Baytown Nature Center and in the areas roller will be preferred over broadcast
that will eventually be channelized and re- treatment. In areas which are not
contoured for salt marsh vegetation/habitat. accessible by tractor, manual treatment or
removal may be necessary. Suppression of
undesired regrowth will proceed until
conditions favor the establishment of new
plantings, at the discretion of the parks
director.
{
Site Preparation, Including Water Replanting According to
Management Measures Revegetation Schedule
Intrusion of saltwater into the freshwater Once the site is prepared, and unwanted
drainage supporting the forested areas and vegetation is under control,the project areas
availability of fresh water for wildlife are two will be planted with the numbers and species
issues of concern in the management of this of plants expected to support the natural
habitat.Once removal of unwanted vegetation functions of the forest,ponds,drainages and
is completed,(permitting a better view of the marshes. This plant material will enhance
topography, elevations, drainage, and wildlife values(food and cover)and replicate
distribution of mature trees) an assessment the structure of a mature bottomland
of the feasibility of berms) or clam(s) for hardwood forest,freshwater pond,freshwater
the prevention of salt water intrusion and wetland, and saltwater marsh. Replant
retention of fresh water will be evaluated.The species will be limited to those believed to be
berm(s) should contain a simple board weir endemic to the site. An exception may be
to prevent saltwater from being trapped made for plants which are native to the area
during and after tropical storm surges and and which will add to or compliment existing
should otherwise be inconspicuous and wildlife values but may not have occurred at
allowed to vegetate consistent with the rest this location.
of the drainage.The elevation of the berms)
will be such as to increase retention time for
fresh water runoff without increasing the risk
of killing any existing mature trees due to
drowning in saturated soils.
P
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Area _ F _ 2 year..;.,:,, 2-5 yearkP s 2o:yearglAltiyiate Phasing Strategies
-- a - =
Property acquisition Acquisition of funds for implementation of
Harvey / Bender Interests the master plan will direct the selection and
White Tract prioritization of the phases for development
Remaining parcels of the Baytown Nature Center.
: Overall Site -
Shoreline Protection
Boundary Protection Fencing
San Jacinto Point
West pier and breakwater
Loop drive and parking pockets
Traffic control edging
Trail development
Burnett Bay piers
Butterfly - -garden at intersection
I Forest plantings-
Nature Discovery Playground
Picnic areas -- - -I
Toilet facility
i
Burnett Bay Edge
Traffic control edging
-- - - -
Saltwater marsh enhancement I
Freshwater marsh enhancement
Highest Priority
f
Area 2 year 2-5 year 5-20 year Ultimate
Phasing Strategies
Post Oak Savannah
Conversion of wye to "tee" intersection
Loop drive and parking pockets
Traffic control edging
Trail development
2nd generation tree planting
Toilet facility
French Limited Wetlands
Wooster Point class shelter
Wooster Point toilet facility
I I, Phase II habitat development I
Scott Bay Inlet
Open cut at Crow Road
Cul de sac at three streets f
Trail development !�
it Inner Salt Water Wetlands
Channel and tidal marsh creation _ f
Wetlands planting
Boardwalk development
itFresh Water Marsh
Diversion stream development
Pond and island creation f
- Highest Priority
1
Area 2 year 2-5 year 5-20 year Ultimate Phasing Stategies
Upland Forest Zone
Vegetation management j
Diversion stream development
Pond creation
Cul de sac at Crow, Cabaniss, and Harvey Roads
Entry drive creation
Trail development
Nature Center Pavilion and parking 1
Myra C Brown Sanctuary
Trail development
Pond outlet securing
Westwood Park
(Closure of Schreck Avenue
Bayway Entry
Entry drive creation
Pond and berming
Planting
j Gate and signage
Highest Priority
40
Baytown Nature Center Cost Estimate
Preliminary Cost Estimate/Full Site
City of Baytown
The SWA Group, Landscape Architects and Planners
Date: 12 August 1997
BTN730
Item Quantity Unit Cost Unit Total Remarks
Land Acquisition
Harvey / Bender Interests 37 ac $6,750.00 $249,750.00 Approx 37 acres
White Tract 1 Is $20,000.00 $20,000.00 At Entry
Remaining Parcels 25 ea $2,750.00 $68,750.00 To be Determined, Approx 25 parcels
Clearing and Demolition
Entry Road 2.7 ac $3,000.00 $8,100.00 20' Wide for 14' road, 35' for 24' road
San Jacinto Point Loop Road 1.25 ac $3,000.00 $3,750.00
Post Oak Savannah Loop Road 0.42 ac $3,000.00 $1,260.00
Trails 7.85 ac $1,500.00 $11,775.00 to' Wide
Ponds & Rivulets 10.5 ac $1,500.00 $15,750.00
Pavement Removal 2,500 cy $250.00 $625,000.00
Ponds
Excavation/Grading 41,000 cy $6.00 $246,000.00
Clay Liner 250,000 sf $0.50 $125,000.00 As needed, 12" thick
Water Well 1 ea $35,000.00 $35,000.00
Pond Aeration 2 ea $25,000.00 $50,000.00 Entry and Interpretive Center ponds
Drainage Work
Rivulets 2700 cy $600.00 $1,620,000.00 Between freshwater ponds
Diversions 1 Is $25,000.00 $25,000.00 Miscellaneous hydraulics
Roads & Paving Cost Estimate
24' Entry Drive 14,040 sf $3.75 $52,650.00 Asphalt on flexible base
11' Entry Drive 67,200 sf $1.75 $117,600.00 Asphalt on flexible base
Entry Curb and Gutter 11,200 If $7.50 $84,000.00 Continuous concrete
San Jacinto Point Loop Road 38,010 sf $1.75 $66,517.50 Asphalt on flexible base
Post Oak Savannah Loop Road 17,340 sf $1.75 $30,345.00 Asphalt on flexible base
Rivulet Culverts 2 ea $3,500.00 $7,000.00 At entry drive
Parking Pockets 18 ea $2,975.00 $53,550.00
San Jacinto Point Parking 1 sf $3.75 $3.75
Interpretive Center Parking 1 sf $4.50 $4.50
Trails
Decomposed Granite 225,000 sf $3.75 $843,750.00 6' width
Culverts 4 ea $2,000.00 $8,000.00 Under trails
Boardwalks 1,550 If $25.00 $38,750.00 6' width, wooden structures
Observation Blinds 12 ea $2,500.00 $30,000.00 Screen and bench
Fencing
Perimeter Fence 7,550 If $15.00 $113,250.00
Main Gate & Entry 1 Is $35,000.00 $35,000.00 At Bayway Drive
Roadway 3,500 If $10.00 $35,000.00 Timber post and rail
Vehicle Gate 1 ea $1,750.00 $1,750.00 At French Limited
Structures
Group Meeting 1 ea $20,000.00 $20,000.00 At Wooster Point
Toilets 3 ea $15,000.00 $45,000.00
Picnic Tables 5 ea $250.00 $1,250.00 Wood on galvanized frame
Educational Playground 1 Is $75,000.00 $75,000.00 At San Jacinto Point
Interpretive Center 15,000 sf $120.00 $1,800,000.00
1
Shoreline Protection Cost Estimate
Shoreline Protection Placement 21,120 If $52.50 $1,108,800.00 3.5 cubic yards/linear foot
Fishing Groins 900 If $80.00 $72,000.00 Concrete walk surface
Breakwater Placement 3500 If $52.50 $183,750.00 3.5 cubic yards/linear foot
Signs
Entry 2 ea $3,000.00 $6,000.00 Includes footings/wall core/slgnage
Directional/Information 50 ea $1,500.00 $75,000.00
Planting
Roadside Turf 140,000 sf $0.30 $42,000.00
Grasses 10 ac $3,000.00 $30,000.00
Topsoil 500 cy $20.00 $10,000.00
Pond Planting 36,200 sf $2.00 $72,400.00
Trees, machine moved 160 ea $350.00 $56,000.00
Butterfly Garden 1 Is $25,000.00 $25,000.00 5,500 square feet at $4.50 per sf
SubTotal $8,009,105.75
Consultants $1,601,821.15 20%, Design, Engineering & Surveys
Contingency $1,201,365.86 15% of Subtotal
Grand Total $10,812,292.76
Funding and Implementation
Opportunities
Early phases scheduled for development are
the San Jacinto Point and the new entry off
Bayway Drive. Currently the City of Baytown
has received a grant from the Texas Coastal
Management Program to develop the San
Jacinto Point Marsh Area. This project will
provide shoreline access, stabilize shoreline
for recreation and habitat protection, and
create wetland habitat of 1+ acres.
Funding opportunities are being explored for
the entry and other areas of the Nature
Center.
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The Design Team
SWA Group
John Cutler
Kevin Shanty
Barney Lighter
Will Gough
Crouch Environmental Services, Inc.
Greg Crouch
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Overstory Vegetation
Myra C. Brown Sanctuary, Upland Forest Zone, Post Oak Savannah, Freshwater Marsh edges, forested areas around the perimeter of the bay and San Jacinto
Point
Many areas of the Baytown Nature Center already support an appropriate coverage of trees,shrubs and emergent vegetation and none will be added. Other areas such as the Myra C. Brown Sanctuary, Upland Forest Zone, Post Oak Savannah,the edges of the Freshwater Marsh, and San Jacinto Point,which may have been
disturbed in the past,and which do not have adequate coverage to close canopy, may be planted in trees.Trees which may be permitted, assuming soils and
hydrology are appropriate, include those listed below:
Live oak White oak
Water oak American holly
Willow oak Southern magnolia
Nuttall oak Red maple
Southern Red oak Beech
Native pecan Hackberry
Bald cypress Elm
Green Ash
M idstory Vegetation
Myra C. Brown Sanctuary, Upland Forest Zone, Post Oak Savannah, edges of the Freshwater Marshes and forested areas around the perimeter of the bay.
The introduction and establishment of mid story and woody edge vegetation is considered critical to enhancement of the resource. No plants will be added in
areas where canopy closure is such that soils are shaded all day, but Yaupon should be introduced in areas of dappled shade or short periods of sunlight. Around
clearings and along edges midstory and understory vegetation should be planted. Plants should be introduced in numbers which will ensure establishment and
coverage sufficient to compete with and discourage domination by Japanese privet and Chinese tallow.A list of typical understory and midstory vegetation
include:
Deciduous yaupon American beautyberry
Arrow Wood viburnum Redbud
Rusty Blackhaw viburnum Sweetbay
Green hawthorn Sugarberry
Parsley hawthorn Sumac
Rough-leaf dogwood Wax myrtle
Red mulberry
Flatwood plum
Possumhaw
Swamp privet
Understory Vegetation
Myra C. Brown Sanctuary, Upland Forest Zone, Post Oak Savannah, edges of the Freshwater Marshes, and forested areas around the perimeter of the bay.
Understory and/or ground cover plantings are not considered necessary for enhancement,but introduction of native shade tolerant understory forest species
would be welcome. A list of such understory vegetation is listed below:
Drummond's wax mallow (Turk's cap)
Coral berry
American beautyberry
In addition,a variety of wildflowers and native vines could be introduced in clearings,along edges by planting or by seed.
Muscadine grape
Trumpet vine
Mustang grape
Carolina jessamine
Peppervine
Trumpet honeysuckle
Lespedeza
Dry Meadow Vegetation
Myra C. Brown Sanctuary, Upland Forest Zone,and utility and pipeline rights-of-way.
Several small meadows should be created in or adjacent to forested areas to increase plant and wildlife diversity. These meadows should be from 112 to 2 acres in
size and placed randomly throughout the site. Vegetation typical for dry meadows are listed below:
Gulf Muhly Partridge Pea
Inland seaoats Annual ryegrass
Narrow leaf wood oats Bahia grass
Little bluestem Wild millet
Switch grass Vasey grass
Indian grass Croton
Dewberry-Blackberry Sunflower
Vetch
Wet Meadow Vegetation F
Edges of the Freshwater Marsh and adjacent to forested areas along the perimeter of the bay.
Wet meadows should be planted with plants such as those listed below:
Gulf Muhly
Eastern gammagrass
Sugarcane plumegrass
Bushy bluestem
Switchgrass
Freshwater Pond and Marsh Vegetation
Myra C. Brown Sanctuary, Upland Forest Zone, French Ltd.ponds and in the freshwater ponds around the bay side of the nature center
Freshwater ponds and marshes should be planted with wetland plant species endemic to the region. A typical list of such plants includes:
Spider lily
Florida crinum
Pickerelweed
Common rush
Fragrant water lily
Swamp rose mallow
Arrowhead
S ma rtweed
Rushes
Frog fruit
Water hyssop
Duckweed
Coontail
Cyperus species
A' 1
Salt Marsh Vegetation
French Limited Wetlands, Scotts Bay Inlet, Burnett Bay, Sari Jacinto Point, Inner Saltwater Marsh and in brackish wetlands located adjacent to the bay along
the perimeter of the nature center
Much of the Baytown Nature Center will be re-contoured and channelized for salt marsh habitat. Vegetation typically found in that habitat are:
Smooth cordgrass
Wiregrass
Sedges
Sea purselane
Sea ox-eye daisy
Saltgrass
Virginia dropseed
Saltmarsh bulrush
Saltwort
Glasswort
P
Implementation of management schedule
At the time enhancement is initiated,commitments must be made for the continued management and monitoring of the site. As the forest system and wetlands
mature,and introduced midstories and edges begin to close,the level of management required to ensure success of native vegetation and suppress exotic species
should diminish. In the meantime, plans and/or agreements for the enhancement of the forest should include well-defined roles,responsibilities and schedules.
Replantings should be randomly clumped to reflect natural distribution patterns,take advantage of local site conditions, and help ensure competitive success.
Areas which will require ongoing unwanted revegetation control must be accessible to the staff and equipment which will be required for management.
The feasibility of employing fire as a management tool on the forest and marshes should be investigated. Closed canopy forest is not expected to sustain fire
under controlled burning conditions,but edges,clearings,marsh, Savannah-like areas,and peripheral grasses might profit from occasional fire.
Ongoing management requires a commitment of resources over an extended period of time. All enhancement activity must be with the understanding that this
constitutes a long-term commitment of staff time and money for labor,equipment,maintenance, herbicides and other supplies.Where obligation for enhancement
and follow-up monitoring is assumed by a third party,as in a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (N RDA) or other regulatory agreement,that agreement must
include a commitment from the third party for long-term investment in the site.
Monitoring and follow-up actions
Monitoring and management must be ongoing and complimentary processes. Management is based upon an awareness of how the habitat types are responding to
manipulation. An assessment of the Baytown Nature Centers progress must be based on its objectives,stated above. In general, management actions should
encourage the maturation of the forest system and marshes,with viable populations of native species becoming reproductive and self-sustaining. Diversity,
stability and all functions of the habitat should be increased. The plant communities should provide sufficient food and cover year round to support a strong
population of prey species,especially insects and rodents. An abundance of prey should be reflected in healthy populations of spiders,snakes,owls and raptors,
and mammalian predators such as bobcats and coyotes.
At a minimum, monitoring of the Baytown Nature Center should include a seasonal (four times each year) inspection resulting in recommendations for manage-
ment actions, including the pickup of litter,suppression of chiuese tallow and japanese privet regrowth, and introduction or removal of additional species.
1
Wildlife Food Preferences
Bird and mammal plant preferences may change with the seasons and plant availability,but the following are typical plants that are highly preferred by each of
the wildlife species listed below. The utilization of these plants should be considered when attempting to improve wildlife habitat for specific wildlife species.
WHITE-TAILED DEER: QUAIL: WATERFOWL:
Annual ryegrass American beautyberry Annual ryegrass
American ryegrass Clovers (leaves) Coontail
American beautyberry Croton Duckweed
Ash Dewberry/Blackberry Oaks
Clovers Dogwood S martweed
Dewberry/Blackberry Hackberry/Sugarberry Switchgrass
Greenbriar Lespedeza Water milfoil
Honeysuckle Muscadine grape Wild millets
Jessamine Partridge pea
Lespedeza Prickly ash
Rattan/Alabama supplejack Ragweed
Ragweed Sumac
Sassafras Vetch
Sunflower
Yaupon
DOVE:
SQUIRREL: Croton
Dewberry/Blackberry
Beech Lespedeza
Black cherry Millets
Blackgum Partridge pea
Dewberry/Blackberry Prickly ash
Dogwood Ragweed
E I m S martweed
Hickory Sumac
Huckieberry/Blueberry/ Sunflower
Sparkle berry Vetch
Magnolia Sunflower
Mulberry
Oak
Red maple , , '
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
MAGNOLIATREE Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Rich, Moist Soils
Wildlife Importance Seed For Squirrels and Birds
Fruiting Dates Late Summer — Early Fall
Fruiting Cycle Annually
Remarks Needs More Sunlight as it Ages
HOLLYTREE Midstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Well Drained, Rich Woods and Along Streams
Wildlife Importance Berries for Birds, Small Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Fall — Early Winter
Fruiting Cycle Annually
Remarks Fruiting Occurs Only on Female Plants
YAUPON Midstory, Understory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Widely Adapted
Wildlife Importance Browse for Deer & Fruit for Deer & Birds
Fruiting Dates Fall — Early Winter
Fruiting Cycle 1 - 2 Years
Remarks Fruit Production Increases with Increased Sunlight
GREENASH Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate
Site Bottomlands for Green Ash
Wildlife Importance Browse for Deer and Seed for Birds
Fruiting Dates Late Summer
Fruiting Cycle 3 — 5 Years
Remarks
APPENDIX
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
SUMAC Midstory
Where It Grows Open Woods and Fields
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Moist,Well Drained Uplands
Wildlife Importance Berries for Deer and Birds
Fruiting Dates Summer but May Persist Through the Winter
Fruiting Cycle Yearly
Remarks
ROUGH-LEAF DOGWOOD Midstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Widely Adapted to Well Drained Soils
Wildlife Importance Fruit for Birds, Deer, Squirrel & Other Mammals
Fruiting Dates Late Spring to Early Summer
Fruiting Cycle 1 — 2 Years
Remarks
RED MAPLE Overstory
Where It Grows Woods and Clearings
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate to Tolerant
Site Widely Adapted Except for Dry Sites
Wildlife Importance Weeds for Squirrel & Small Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Late Summer to Fall
Fruiting Cycle Yearly
Remarks
AMER. BEAUTYBERRY Midstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Most Sites, Except Wet
Wildlife Importance Fruits for Birds, Squirrel, Deer, Mammals
Fruiting Dates Late Summer Through Fall
Fruiting Cycle 1 — 2 Years
Remarks
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
WHITE OAK Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate
Site Widely Adapted Except for Very Dry or Wet Soils
Wildlife Importance Acorns for Deer, Squirrel, Birds
Fruiting Dates Fall
Fruiting Cycle 4 10 Years
Remarks Acorn Production Begins at 12" DBH
WATER OAK Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Moist Sites
Wildlife Importance Acorns for Squirrel, Deer, Mammals
Fruiting Dates Early Fall to Winter
Fruiting Cycle 1 — 2 Years
Remarks
SOUTHERN RED OAK Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate
Site Most Sites but Excessively Dry or Wet
Wildlife Importance Acorns for Squirrel, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Fall to Early Winter
Fruiting Cycle 1 — 2 Years
Remarks
RED MULBERRY Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Moist Sites
Wildlife Importance Fruit for Birds, Squirrel, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Spring to Early Summer
Fruiting Cycle 2 — 3 Years
Remarks
i
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
BEECH Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Moist Soils and Along Streams
Wildlife Importance Nuts for Birds, Squirrel, Mammals
Fruiting Dates Fall
Fruiting Cycle 2 — 3 Years
Remarks
HACKBERRY Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate to Tolerant
Site Moist Uplands and Bottoms
Wildlife Importance Fruit for Birds, Squirrel, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Early Fall
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
ELM Overstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate
Site Most Sites
Wildlife Importance Buds for Squirrel, Seeds for Birds, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Late Spring to Summer
Fruiting Cycle Yearly
Remarks
RED BUD Midstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Rich, Moist Soils
Wildlife Importance Browse for Deer; Seed for Birds & Mammals
Fruiting Dates Fall
Fruiting Cycle 1 — 2 Years
Remarks
. • •
T
f
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
SWEETBAY Midstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Low,Wet Sites
Wildlife Importance Seeds far Squirrel, Birds, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
SUGARBERRY Midstory
Where It Grows Woods
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant to Intermediate
Site Moist Upland Sites and Bottoms
Wildlife Importance Fruit for Birds, Squirrel, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Farly Fall
Fruiting Cycle Late Summer to Winter
Remarks
WAX MYRTLE Midstory
Where It Grows Woods and Openings
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate
Site Well Adapted to Most Soils
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle Annually
Remarks
GREENBRIAR (Vine) Understory
Where It Grows Woods and Fields
Tolerance To Shade Tolerant
Site Widely Adapted
Wildlife Importance Fruit for Birds, Squirrel, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Late Summer Through Fall
Fruiting Cycle Yearly
Remarks
. • •
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
MUSCADINE GRAPE Understory (Vine)
Where It Grows Woods and Openings
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant to Intermediate
Site Most Well Drained Sites
Wildlife Importance Fruit for Birds, Squirrel, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Late Summer to Fall
Fruiting Cycle 2 — 3 Years
Remarks
CAROLINA JESSAMINE Understory (Vine)
Where It Grows Open Woods and Fields
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant to Intermediate
Site Sandy Moist Soils
Wildlife Importance Seeds for Birds, Deer
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
TRUMPET HONEYSUCKLE Understory (Vine)
Where It Grows Woods and Fields
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate
Site Most Soils
Wildlife Importance Berries for Birds, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Fall
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks Favored by Prescribed Burning
LESPEDEZA Understory
Where It Grows Open Woods and Fields
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant to Intermediate
Site Sandy Sites
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds, Deer
Fruiting Dates Fall
Fruiting Cycle Perennial
Remarks
i
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
i
DEWBERRY - BLACKBERRY (Vine) Understory
Where It Grows Woods and Fields
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Most Sites
Wildlife Importance Berries for Birds, Squirrel, Mammals, Deer
Fruiting Dates Spring to Early Summer
Fruiting Cycle Yearly
Remarks
VETCH (Vine) Understory
Where It Grows Pasture
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Widely Adapted Except for Poorly Drained Soils
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds, Deer
Fruiting Dates Spring
Fruiting Cycle Annual
Remarks Requires Management
PARTRIDGE PEA (Vine) Understory
Where It Grows Pasture, Open Fields
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Well Drained But Not Dry Soils
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds, Deer
Fruiting Dates Summer to Fall
Fruiting Cycle Annual
Remarks
ANNUAL RYEGRASS Understory
Where It Grows Pastures and Openings
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate
Site Widely Adapted
Wildlife Importance Browse for Birds, Deer
Fruiting Dates
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks iv. , . .
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
BAHIA GRASS Understory
Where It. Grows Pastures
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant to Intermediate
Site Widely Adapted
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
WILD MILLET Understory
Where It Grows Wet Clearings,Wet Pastures, Mud Flats
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Wet Sites
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds,Waterfowl
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
VASEYGRASS Understory
Where It Grows Clearings and Pastures
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Moist Sites
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
SWITCHGRASS Understory
Where It Grows Open Woods and Clearings
Tolerance To Shade Intermediate to Tolerant
Site Moist Soils
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
. • •
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
CROTON Understory
Where It Grows Openings and Pastures
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Sandy Sites
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds
Fruiting Dates Summer to Fall
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks Responds to Disking
SUNFLOWER Understory
Where It Grows Openings
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Heavier Soils
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds, Deer
Fruiting Dates Fall
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
SMARTWEED Understory
Where It Grows Wet Openings, Ditches, Ponds
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Wet Sites
Wildlife Importance Seed for Birds,Waterfowl
Fruiting Dates Summer to Fall
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
COONTAIL Understory
Where It Grows Ponds, Ditches, Lakes
Tolerance To Shade Will Grow in 6"+Water Depth in Clear Water
Site Widely Adapted
Wildlife Importance Waterfowl
Fruiting Dates
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
1 .0
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
DUCKWEED Understory
Where It Grows Sloughs, Ponds, Fresh Marshes
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Floating on Water
Wildlife Importance Extremely Important for Waterfowl
Fruiting Dates Entire Warm-season
Fruiting Cycle
Remarks
SMOOTH CORDGRASS Understory
Where It Grows Salt to Brackish Marshes
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Saturated Soils to Water Depth of 12
Wildlife Importance Cover, Food for Crustaceans, Birds
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle Annually
Remarks
WIREGRASS Understory
Where It Grows Fresh to Saline Marshes
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Moist but Not Flooded Soils
Wildlife Importance Cover, Food for Birds, Mammals
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle Annually
Remarks
ARROWHEAD Understory
Where It Grows Fresh Water Ponds, Sloughs
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Standing Water to Very Moist Soils
Wildlife Importance Food for Waterfowl
Fruiting Dales Summer
Fruiting Cycle Annually
Remarks
A • •
Planting Requirements for Regional Vegetation
CYPERUS SPECIES Understory
Where It Grows Wet Sites, Fresh to Brackish
Tolerance To Shade Intolerant
Site Wet Soils
Wildlife Importance Cover, Food for Birds
Fruiting Dates Summer
Fruiting Cycle Annually
Remarks
References:
Communication with Mr.Ted Hollingsworth,Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, 1997.
Letter from Mc Ted Hollingsworth,Texas Parks & Wildlife Department,July 31, 1997.
Ted Hollingsworth, San Jacinto State Historical Park Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Restoration and Management Plan,July, 1996."
Natural Resource Conservation Service, Animal Guides for Texas, 1983."
E.G.Wermund,et al,Wetland Plant Communities, Galveston Bay System, March, 1992.
A• •