Summer 2006 NEWSLETTER

Friends of Friedrich Advocacy Efforts

Welcome to our loyal, continuing members and to our newest members, including those who joined us in our recent membership drives at Friedrich and Crownridge Canyon. Since the Board of Directors wants to make sure all our members recognize the value of our group, we would like to summarize our recent advocacy efforts.

In regard to Crownridge Canyon, we communicated concerns our members expressed about dogs and bicyclists on the trails to City Natural Areas (NAs) staff, who promised to improve signage and increase park police patrols to make sure all visitors are aware of our restrictions. We are also working to promote a City ordinance banning off-road vehicles in our NAs (believe it or not, no such ordinance currently exists), and are also advocating for the prompt fencing of the new NAs and properties purchased with Proposition 3/Proposition 1 funds. When the newly added portions of Friedrich Park are fenced, staff will be able to begin preparations to open 66 additional acres to the public. We also received a $1,500.00 grant from SAWS, which will purchase educational supplies for NAs staff to use in summer camps and other programs throughout the year. Finally, we are continuing to monitor development near our parks, as several major projects are in the planning stages for the areas adjacent to both Friedrich and Crownridge Canyon. As we have been for the past year, we hope to keep working with and, if necessary, opposing developers on plans that we believe to threaten the sanctity of the Natural Areas.

From the Natural Areas Staff—Continued Hot and Dry

This was almost the Spring that wasn’t for Friedrich and Crownridge Canyon. The early blooming anemones and onions never made a show. Winter growing annuals are largely absent. Texas Mountain Laurel barely sputtered. Then we received light and spotty rains in early April. The Mountain Laurel actually started blooming again and greatly extended their season. These rains brought one of the finest shows of spring rain lilies to be seen. Other blooms have appeared such as agarita (Berberis trifoloiolata), escarpment black cherry trees ( Prunus serotina), Drummond’s skullcap (Scutellaria drummondii), blue sage (Salvia texana), damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana), Roemer’s acacia (Acacia roemeriana), pink mimosa (Mimosa borealis), two-leaved senna (Cassia roemeriana), rock flax (Linum rupestre), white milkwort (Polygala alba), red buckeye (Aesculus pavia – in a variety of colors), Mexican buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa), and square bud primrose (Calylophus drummondianus). The extremely high temperatures abbreviated some of the floral shows. And we are still dry. The showers did little to put off imminent drought and water shortages. We ended 2005 as the driest period on record for this region, not the longest. 2006 is now 6 inches behind normal rainfall averages.

PLEASE don’t forget to renew your membership (adult $25; senior $15; family $30; contributing $50) Your membership expiration date is shown on the address label. Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park is a non-profit, charitable organization; contributions are tax-deductible. Dues and donations may be sent to Friends of Friedrich Park, 21395 Milsa Dr., San Antonio, TX 78256-9610.