Discovering the History and Natural Treasures of Charro Ranch Park
Photos courtesy Michael Meves
Michael Meves
The Hays County Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist™ and the City of Dripping Springs teamed up to install two new educational signs at Charro Ranch Park in the summer of 2026. The project was initiated and managed by Michael Meves, who was then HCMN’s volunteer project coordinator for the park. Meves saw a need to provide visitors with information about a special area of the park known as the Walk of Peace. He also wanted visitors to appreciate the park’s unusually rich variety of oak species. He knew good signage would help tell both stories.
The Walk of Peace is an unexpected discovery in the interior of the park. Hikers come upon a 12-foot-high metal sculpture of a peace symbol surrounded by a spiral of natural limestone blocks. The feature was installed by the property’s former owner, Lucy Hibberd, who donated more than 60 acres of her land to the City of Dripping Springs to be protected as a city park. She left instructions that the park remain a place of solitude, without sports fields or lighting.
And then there were those oaks! Meves saw an opportunity for a second sign to point out these treasures along the hiking trails. The park has a large grove of post oaks, a species that is not rare but is uncommon in northern Hays County. It also has a few specimens of blackjack oak, another species not commonly found in an area where live oaks predominate. The second sign provides information about these trees, along with a map showing their locations in the park.
Bringing It All Together
With little experience creating interpretive signage for parks, Meves welcomed some help. He turned to two fellow Hays County Master Naturalists, Sandy Fleming and Melinda Seib, who had helped create the Beautiful Hays County Coloring and Activity Book.
Over several months, the three volunteers worked together on the signs’ design and layout, including the text, photography, illustrations, colors, and fonts. Meves wrote most of the text, with research assistance on local oak species from fellow Master Naturalist Renee Rusch.
Michelle Fischer, City Administrator for Dripping Springs, contributed her knowledge of Charro Ranch’s history and its transfer from the Crenshaw/Hibberd family. Andy Binz, Parks and Community Services Director for the City of Dripping Springs, approved funding for the project. The total cost of the signs, including installation, was just over $2,000.
Drawing from news clippings about the park’s opening and Hibberd’s obituary, Meves gathered information for the new educational sign. He wanted it to serve as a permanent reminder of the park’s history and Hibberd’s generous contribution.
Melinda Seib created illustrations of oak leaves and acorns, while Sandy Fleming drew on her graphic design experience to bring the signs together and finalize their appearance.
Executive Signs of San Marcos provided quotes, which Meves included in his proposal to the city. Following a few suggested edits from the city board, the signs were approved and installed by Executive Signs in the summer of 2026.
Visitors now have two new high quality educational signs to bring deeper enjoyment to their strolls through Charro Ranch Park. Don’t miss your next chance to visit!
