CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The big clean up Saturday at Blucher Park came just over a week after a controversial ordinance for that park was unanimously passed by city council.
This ordinance set an earlier curfew at the park and prohibits activities like sleeping, eating or smoking. Opponents to the recently passed amendment claim that it discriminates against the homeless population. Those in support of the ordinance are eager to revamp the almost 5 acre park.
Over the past year, Beautify Corpus Christi Association (BCCA) has partnered with the Audubon Outdoor Club to help clean and maintain Blucher Park for those wishing to observe nature.
Karen Smith, President of Audubon Outdoor Club, is out there every week.
"My group that works on Monday evenings now can do more of this maintenance work that we haven't been able to do in a long time." Smith says, "We were always spending our two or three hours picking up trash so now we can actually trim and plant something."
Several groups came together to begin some of that maintenance work. They cleared out overgrowth and invasive plants and spread mulch so that visitors can enjoy the park that was given to the city by the Blucher Family.
"It states specifically in the deed when it was given to the city that it should be used for the purpose of a nature or bird sanctuary and if it would not be used for that purpose, it would have to be given back to the Blucher Family which would essentially make it a private property." Katie Galvan, Executive Director of BCCA said.
Blucher Park is known internationally among avid birders like Willie Sekula. He travels nearly two hours to the Coastal bend just about every weekend.
"The park is amazing, it still attract a lot of birds. There have been a number of rarities here over the years." Sekula said.
"With the passing of that ordinance it really allows everyone, citizens and visitors, to enjoy the park responsibly in the manner that it was intended to be enjoyed." Galvan said.
