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| Class with seine net. |
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The
story of the rise of Baytown Nature Center also is the story of the fall of a
popular waterfront neighborhood and the triumph of nature.
I have
heard the BNC story several times. It’s part of the experience for
ninth-graders participating in the Back to the Bay field trips.
When
the students hear how about 300 homes once stood where they are tossing cast nets
and doing water testing, they take another look at their surroundings.
On the
drive into BNC, as Burnet Bay comes into view on the right, there is an
inground swimming pool jutting up at the shore. Take the trail to Wooster Point
and find a shelter built on a home’s foundation. The pink floor tiles of the
bathroom are still visible
These landmarks
are reminders of BNC’s history.
During
the mid 1930s, a cattle rancher’s land was sold for development. Humble Oil
thought the site would be a great place to build its executives’ homes.
During
1962, Baytown annexed Brownwood subdivision, which was in a beautiful setting
with linked peninsulas surrounded by three bays, Crystal, Scott and Burnet.
However
with the influx of industry and residents, there came problems. Groundwater was
pumped out for use by nearby plants and other developed areas, which caused
subsidence.
As the
land sank, flooding during the high tide seasons became a problem. The switch
to surface water stopped subsidence, but the land loss was irreversible. Tropical
storms and hurricanes caused more damage.
Residents
tried to hang onto their beloved homes, but ongoing flooding and evacuations became
their reality from 1967 to 1981. Many decided to leave.
Then
devastating Hurricane Alicia hit in 1983. The hurricane wiped out the
neighborhood with storm tides up to 10 feet high. (video)
Longtime
residents were heartbroken when the area was declared uninhabitable and
utilities to the peninsula were cut off. Some homeowners filed lawsuits. During
the next 10 years the homes, foundations and streets continued to crumble while
legal issues were sorted out. It was wild area for squatters, dumping and
nature.
Eventually
the city of Baytown obtained the land with a plan to turn the area into a
natural preserve.
In 1995
the Baytown Nature Center opened with 65 acres of tidal wetlands, freshwater
pools and forested areas. Most of the initial funds were for a mitigation site
as part of the French Limited Superfund cleanup project. Houses were bulldozed
and the streets became part of the trail system.
During
the next 10 years channels were dug and lined with smooth cordgrass. An
observation hill was built and trails were added (and continue to develop). BNC expanded to 450 acres.
Today
school groups of all ages visit regularly. The smaller peninsula at the front of
the park is open to fishing although there are warning signs about toxins that
may be in the fish.
Petrochemical
companies surround BNC and Ship Channel traffic glides by. The San Jacinto River Waste Pits SuperfundSite is upstream.
Yet
most agree that thanks to environmental regulations the water is much cleaner than
it was in the 1970s and wildlife has made a comeback.
Fishing
is prohibited in the channels cut into the larger peninsula to protect the
wildlife.
Hikers
and bicyclists share the trails. In addition to the wildlife and wildflowers,
photographers can find a great view of the San Jacinto Monument. North
America’s smallest butterfly, Western Pygmy Blue, likes the glasswort (Salicornia spp.) along Arkokisa Trail.
Birders
find everything from Roseate Spoonbills to Eastern Screech Owls. The past
couple of years a Grooved-bill Ani has stopped by. BNC is one of the few locations
in Harris County that the Nelson’s Sparrow and Seaside Sparrow can be seen
during the winter months.
BNC is
still susceptible to flooding. In 2008 Hurricane Ike flooded BNC with 13 feet
of water. A lot of debris had to be cleared.
The playground and other structures were rebuilt with the knowledge that nature
continues to shape BNC’s future.
** BNC,
6213 Bayway Drive, is open daily, except Christmas and days of extreme weather.
Admission is $4 for adults and $1 for seniors and children.
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| BNC's Brownwood Pavilion |
Good story.
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