Loss of Bluebonnet Field in Round Rock

[garytx]

Just wanted to give a heads-up... there is a spot in Old Settlers Park in Round Rock that has been very popular with folks for doing the iconic "people/pets in a field of bluebonnets" shot. It is (was) an open field at the very north end of the park, just west of Harrell Parkway (the main north/south roadway through the park) near the tennis courts. This is always a prolific area for bluebonnets and people travel some ways to take advantage of it. In the City of Round Rock's desperation to do something to deserve it's self-declared title of "The Sports Capital of Texas," the Parks & Rec department has been putting in baseball, softball, or football fields anywhere it can find sufficient open space. So, a lot of the open grass areas in the park - including this one - have been plowed over (or will be soon) to produce new ballfields of one sort or another. It's a shame to lose that open space that does get regularly used by so many people for so many different things - kite flying, areas for kids to run around, picnics, etc., but the big bluebonnet field has also fallen victim. Still a great park - "disc golf" course, even cricket games on Sundays, lots of use by powered parachutists, and Dell Diamond adjacent.

There's still a good field by the Texas Baptist Children's Home at Mays and Highway 79 (as long as they don't mow it over as they did last year...)

I live a block north of Old Settlers Park, so when I saw what happened to this field, I thought I'd give folks a heads-up in case you were planning on coming to Old Settlers Park for a shoot this spring.

[w9ctm]

GAry,
I saw that this past weekend. Shame on them. You are right. They are sooo busy putting in ballfields, they forgot about beauty and open space.

[BCPhoto]

As a park and recreation professional by day and mild mannered semi-professional photographer by night and weekends, you have stirred my inner turmoil. I feel your pain.

[toverman]

Ha! Frisco thinks it's the "Sports Capital of Texas." Bryce probably said it best, especially as a professional.

[garytx]

Sad to say, a couple hours afte my first post, I was driving past the Texas Baptist Children's Home I mentioned as another Round Rock bluebonnet destination, and it looked like they were fixing to mow that area...

I love parks, don't get me wrong. As a recreationist, I believe in leaving some basically untouched open space (mown grass is fine) for creative, undefined uses by kids and adults alike. Sure, photography can be one of those uses, but there are plenty of others. I pass by or through this park every day, and I usually see more people recreating in the undefined open space than I do in the baseball fields, football fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, the water park, the cricket field, the sand volleyball courts, and whatever else in the inventory I'm forgetting combined (not counting during Little League games or soccer tournaments.) I'm all for the designated areas and uses, but let's leave some of it open, too.

[rescue951]

Are there any spots of bluebonnets left in that area? I have 2 clients eager to shoot but I am uncertain of what areas in Round Rock that are open? Any info would be appreciated!? thanks Rob

[garytx]

I haven't come across any, though I'm keeping my eyes open. I haven't gone back by the Baptist Children's Home to see if in fact the field was mowed down again as it was last year. There is a nice field in the grass median along the northbound frontage road of I-35 just north of Old Settlers, but you'd have to use very careful positioning and a pretty tight crop to keep traffic, etc. out of the frame, but it could work. Easy parking at the gas station across the street. Far from ideal, but potentially workable - not likely to impress clients, though! I'll keep looking...

[garytx]

Good news! There's a field on a gentle slope towards the south end of Old Settlers Park, sloping down from the water park, that is blooming prolifically this year. Has a nice mix of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, with a parking lot adjacent, making hauling gear easier. The field has not quite yet reached its peak, and is already a popular spot. Driving by yesterday afternoon, there were probably 6-8 families taking shots, but a good spot nonetheless. The slope is oriented in kind of a SW-NE direction. Early morning probably ideal to be facing west where farm/ranch fields will be your potential backdrop.

[garytx]

An update on the area by the Texas Baptist Children's Home... this year, the mowing was done around, and not over, the bluebonnets. Pretty prolific field on level ground, north side of Highway 79 (Palm Valley) just east of Mays (couple blocks east of I35). Best angles are shooting from the east or west (to avoid the busy road in the background) which works out well for early and late light.

[garytx]

Couple of shots just to show the field in Old Settlers Park so you can decide if it might work for you: