Deer Creek Courtyard rehab in full swing

Deer Creek’s outdoor courtyard is changing into a tranquil and appealing haven thanks to a WimberleyArts.org initiative and the help of local organizations.

A new river rock perimeter around the courtyard frames the area. Flagstone walkways increase the garden’s access and make the maintenance of the gardens practical. The beautiful shade trees — oaks, crepe myrtles and other flowering trees — have been trimmed and shaped to add more sun-dappled areas. While not fully complete, the central water feature, a fountain and fish pond, has been partially restored and stocked with several Koi, goldfish and flowering water plants. In the center, a fountain bubbles up. The water feature will remain a work in progress for several more weeks.

Still to come is a rainwater collection system to provide water for the courtyard’s trees and gardens. Facilitated by WimberleyArts. org, area artists will be enlisted to create mini-works of art on each of the seven water storage tanks that will be located around the perimeter of the courtyard. Artists will also be called on to create five sculptural birdhouses for the courtyard.

When completed, formal garden spaces will include a flowering butterfly garden, native, low-maintenance plantings, a wildflower garden and a tree that will stand out as a special feature in the garden. The gardens are being designed with the help of Keep Wimberley Beautiful, volunteer master naturalists, master gardeners and landscape architects. Once they are planted, night-sky friendly landscape lighting will be installed.

Beautification of the courtyard is a heartfelt project for Deer Creek. Many residents are bedridden; some are on life support equipment that will not allow them to leave their rooms. For those residents, the courtyard is their only view of the Hill Country and for many, it is the last thing they will see. For residents in wheelchairs, the new courtyard will be a safe place to enjoy the landscape and take in the fresh air.

Deer Creek is the only skilled nursing and long-term care facility in Wimberley. New leadership has made great progress in stabilizing staffing and significantly improving the overall care and quality of life for Deer Creek residents. With 98% of the residents on government Medicaid assistance, the financial margins for renovations are small. The majority of funds are allocated toward aging air conditioning and heating systems, plumbing, outdated kitchen equipment and other essentials necessary to make the building safe.

Fortunately, the community has embraced the renovation by coming forward with donations of money, ideas, time and labor. Those who have contributed include Keep Wimberley Beautiful, Hays County Master Gardeners, Hays County Master Naturalists, artists from Wimberley Valley Art League, the Wimberley Community Civic Club, Wimberley Garden Club, The Herb Society, Wimberley Birding Society as well as area churches.

Individuals and families have also contributed funds and underwritten different elements of the project. The Deer Creek parent company gave money as did several families of current and former residents. The underwriting opportunities that are still available are naming rights for entire courtyard for $20,000, a rainwater collection system for $10,800, on-going courtyard maintenance for two years for $4,000, night-sky friendly landscape lighting for $3,000, four conversation spaces with furniture for $2,000, four wheelchair accessible raised planting beds for $800, a butterfly garden for $600, five named garden spaces at $600 each, five artist- inspired birdhouses at $500 each and three shade sails for $300.

To join the renovation, go directly to wimberleyarts.org/ public-arts-projectsdeer- creek/.