The rangers at the Johnson Branch joined locals in ringing in the new season Saturday.
The park’s annual Spring Fling enticed area residents back to the park with nature-focused vendors and outdoors events like fishing and archery.
“This year we expanded,” JB Park Interpreter Izzy Mabry said. “We have archery and were hoping to do kayaking, but with the wind and cold water, we had to cancel that but we’re trying to get more opportunities to give people a variety of reasons to get back out into the parks. It’s to get people back outside enjoying the nice weather.”
Though the park hosts regular archery classes throughout the year, holding small hour-long crash courses during Spring Fling was a new addition.
“I got the idea from the Lakeside Legacy event at Fort Parker State Park,” Mabry said. “I really love the way they set it up and did it, so I decided to add it on here.”
She shared a bit about how she and the other rangers keep kids safe after putting bows in their hands for the first time.
“We get taught the same way they teach in middle school and high schools for their competitions,” Mabry said. “We do run throughs first as I’m talking. It’s how to hold the bow, how to do your draw and everything like that first without the bow and then without the arrows.”
She said instructors are certified by the National Archery in the Schools Program and there are several present for each session to ensure an even spread of eyes on while kids are learning.
The other more involved activity, fishing, stood out to several families as they perused the park.
“I’m sure we’ll try out fishing and I’m grateful they have poles and stuff, so we didn’t have to try to pack that up ourselves,” Cathy Da Silva said. “I like that there were opportunities to do with all ages. It’s sometimes hard to find things that are good for a one-year-old and a 13-year-old.”
Mabry talked about the kind of fish guests would be hooking.
“We’ve got fishing going on with our amazing Cabela’s rep Cathy,” Mabry said. “We stock in January with 1,000 rainbow trout, and by the end of March, they’re gone because they’re cold weather fish, so it’s our last big push to really get kids started with fishing if they’ve never done it before.”
The nature center was open to guests looking to take a break and was manned by Texas Master Naturalists showing off pelts and skulls, as well as tending to younger kids looking to color inside.
“They just needed some time with the outdoors,” Leslie Jaramillo said of the kids in her care. “I didn’t know there was a park so close, so I think it’s really good for families to be able to come out here.”
Though Spring Fling offers some extra reasons to visit, Mabry explained the park is open year around and always happy to welcome guests.
“This park is open year around,” Mabry said. “They’re always welcome to come enjoy the trails or swimming. As growth happens in populations, a lot of that is lost, so while we get to protect this, it’s nice to give people the chance to see that wilderness and see what kind of animals are still out here.”
