‘This is our home’: Over a year later, Dripping Springs neighbors continue to fight proposed venue
On Jan. 29, members of the community attended a public meeting hosted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ, in regards to a wastewater permit filed by California-based company Blizexas. The meeting took place at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Drive, Dripping Springs.
What happened: Not a single resident spoke in favor of the project during public comment and urged the TCEQ to not approve the wastewater permit.
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Officials from Hays County, the city of Dripping Springs and Dripping Springs ISD celebrated the completion of a roundabout in Dripping Springs on Feb. 26.
The details: The roundabout replaces what was previously a three-way stop, and now includes medians, pedestrian crossings and sidewalks with ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. With its completion, access to and from Cypress Springs Elementary School changes, with the western driveway to be used only as an entrance, while the eastern driveway will be an exit only.
Construction began in June 2023 and cost $3.2 million, funded by the 2016 Road Bond Program.
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Dripping Springs enacts new landscaping rules
A city ordinance adopted March 5 will provide new restrictions on landscaping in Dripping Springs with the goal of preserving trees and water.
Zooming in: Dripping Springs City Council approved the ordinance that will affect both commercial and residential property by:
- Prohibiting the removal of heritage trees, or trees of specific species that are 18 inches or larger
- Limiting the removal of standard trees, or trees of specific species between eight and 18 inches
- Encouraging drip irrigation—allowing water to drip to plant roots—and lessening live grass turf
- Prohibiting sprinklers that cause water flows over sidewalks, streets and other nonvegetated areas
City of Dripping Springs cancels May 2024 election; all candidates unopposed
The city of Dripping Springs will not be holding an election this May as all three candidates whose terms were up for re-election are uncontested.
The overview: Mayor Bill Foulds, who has served as mayor since 2020, and council members Wade King and Travis Crow will be sworn in for another two-year term on May 7.
What’s next: Council members Taline Manassian, Geoffrey Tahuahua and Sherrie Parks are up for re-election in May 2025.
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Dripping Springs residents witness total solar eclipse
As the sky darkened and the air chilled, an eruption of cheers broke out at about 1:35 p.m. on Mercer Street in Dripping Springs on April 8.
The Dripping Springs community gathered on the street to witness a rare celestial event—a total solar eclipse. Spectators were clearly able to see the moon cover the sun for about three minutes despite clouds overhead.
What happened: The city-led event, aptly named the “sunblock party,” was about two years in the making, with much of the planning done by the Dripping Springs Communications Director Lisa Sullivan. Sullivan teared up during totality and said she was “emotional the whole time.”
Some context: City officials told Community Impact they predicted the event to almost “quadruple” the population. In preparation, City Council members passed a resolution March 19 declaring a local disaster. This allowed officials to activate the emergency services plan and provide extra support in case of an emergency, as a strain on cellular towers, traffic and emergency service was expected.
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Dripping Springs officials and residents celebrated the groundbreaking of a skate park Feb. 10. After years of work to bring the park to fruition, The Dorian Zev Kweller Memorial Skatepark opened July 27.
The details: The park is named in honor of a Dripping Springs High School student who died in February 2023. Kweller was the son of local musician Ben Kweller.
Dorian Zev Kweller Memorial Skatepark is located at the north end of Founders Memorial Park, 419B Founders Park Road, Dripping Springs.
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Officials with the Dripping Springs Community Library are asking residents to help raise a goal of $5 million to construct a new facility about four times the size of the current library.
The setup: In just five years, between 2017-2022, the city’s population nearly doubled while Hays County saw similar growth between the years 2010-2020. This growth makes the current space too small for most events and unable to shelve any new items without removing another first.
The details: A new facility would be 37,000 square feet, located adjacent to the existing property at the end of Benney Lane, a cul-de-sac off Mighty Tiger Trail. Some of the new amenities residents could use include:
- Study rooms
- Multipurpose room
- Conference rooms
- Outdoor amphitheater for events
- Playground
- More parking
- Drive-thru book pickup and return
Dripping Springs Community Library reopens after storm damage, celebrates start of summer season
Storm damage was not enough to stop Dripping Springs Community Library staff from celebrating the start of the busiest season for the library.
Two-minute impact: The DSCL reopened June 3 following a closure May 31 when the building was damaged by a lightning strike. The lightning hit the ceiling above the main desk at about 6:30 a.m., and no one was injured, DSCL communications manager Christina Thompson said.
Despite the damage, library staff hosted the annual Summer Kick Off event in the parking lot, with snow cones, face painting, inflatables and a petting zoo. Children even participated in a “snowball” fight with ice from the snow cones. Thompson said this year’s event was likely the biggest turnout they’ve ever had.
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How lemonade stands are supporting local children, families experiencing foster care
Nonprofit Foster Village has encouraged children to raise funds via lemonade stands in their neighborhoods every summer the last three years through a campaign called Growing the Village is Sweet.
The details: This year, Foster Village officials set a goal to raise $40,000, which will provide therapeutic support and needed items, such as clothing, toys or bedding, to foster families and children.
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Dripping Springs Community Library officials have been making strides toward a recent goal—making library materials more accessible to seniors.
What’s happening: DSCL director Mindy Laird began her outreach this year at Ledgestone Senior Living, where she hosted a library card drive, where residents could sign up for a library card, and has been personally delivering books to residents.
Laird has also applied for DSCL to become a demonstration site for the Talking Book Program, a program offered through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission that offers services to those with visual or physical impairments that make reading more difficult.
Additionally, Laird is seeking to fund the purchase of Stay Sharp Kits for the library, which includes activities that improve memory and cognition.
Lastly, another way DSCL officials have made materials more accessible was the removal of overdue fees this year.
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Dripping Springs building, planning departments celebrate new location with ribbon cutting
Dripping Springs city officials celebrated the move to a new office for both the Building Department and the Planning and Development Department with a ribbon-cutting June 28.
The details: Building department officials handle building permits while planning and development department officials oversee permits as well as manage growth and development in the city.
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Dripping Springs officials release draft of comprehensive plan, seeking community feedback
Dripping Springs officials have released a draft of the city’s comprehensive plan and are seeking feedback on the guide to the city’s development.
The details: Known as “Reimagine Dripping Springs,” or the “2040 Comprehensive Plan,” the plan will set guidelines for real estate, infrastructure, economic development and zoning for the next 15 to 20 years. This will be an update to the last comprehensive plan adopted in January 2015.
To review the draft plan and provide feedback, visit www.reimaginedrippingsprings.com.
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Patriots' Hall of Dripping Springs celebrates grand opening, community hub for veterans
A 10-acre retreat and resource hub for veterans is officially complete in Dripping Springs.
What happened: Patriots’ Hall of Dripping Springs and the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 3.
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Around 75 members of the Dripping Springs community gathered on a Sunday afternoon in late September to make glass butterflies that will "fly" in the community's newest library.
Get involved: The first group of sponsors attended their butterfly workshop Sept. 29 at Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room, 2250 Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs. The workshop was hosted by Texas artist Carlyn Ray, known for her glass art.
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Renovations at Dripping Springs City Hall are underway. The building temporarily closed in early October to begin the project.
Zooming in: The renovations include new office space for staffers, more energy-efficient infrastructure and upgraded technology. City offices are still open and all employees are still reachable.
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Dreamland Dripping Springs to close at the end of this year
Outdoor entertainment venue Dreamland will close its doors at the end of the year after almost four years in Dripping Springs.
The details: The business announced the closing on social media, but did not disclose the reason as to why the venue is shutting its doors. Dreamland Dripping Springs opened in February 2021 and has 16 pickleball courts, two different mini golf courses, an art and sculpture garden, a live music stage and other features. The venue also serves food made in-house, cocktails, beer and other drinks.
What's next: Dreamland will host a farewell event on Dec. 31 to mark the occasion.
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