“I was born and raised in Hays County and was lucky to be able to explore many of our parks and preserves long before it was ever imagined that the county could have its own park system,” Flocke said in a news release. “When I heard about the position, I jumped at the opportunity to help manage and preserve the land that got me into this field to begin with.”
Going forward
As the population of Hays County continues to grow, the Parks Department is evolving to meet the needs of the community. From 2015 to 2045, the population of Hays County is estimated to grow from 172,419 to 633,000, according to a presentation given by Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith on Oct. 22.
“We struggle to have enough parks and conservation lands needed for our current population,” Flocke said. “With our meteoric population growth and increasing property values, it will be that much harder to meet the demands placed on Parks in the future.”
One of the largest projects Flocke will oversee is the Sentinel Peak Preserve project, located in the southwest part of the county. The over 530-acre property near Wimberly will offer walking trails and an area for visitors to swim in the Blanco River. The facility will open in 2027.
“On top of this, we are continuously looking for opportunities to upgrade, improve and expand our facilities to best serve Hays County residents,” Flocke said in the release.
For more information, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/parks-and-recreation.
