Hugh Ramsey Nature Park is a part of the World Birding Center parks to visit and the center of the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival each year. This park, which was named for a former mayor, is 54 acres of wilderness that is maintained by the Harlingen Parks and Recreation department as well as volunteers from the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society and Texas Master Naturalists. It has a total of 1.5 miles of trail, a number of observation blinds and a covered picnic shelter. Bathrooms and water fountains are located next to the parking lot.
A bio-retention basin has been built in the middle of a renovated parking lot to channel runoff and filter the dirty water before it is put back into the wetlands.
The GZ will take you down one of the trails to a scenic bird blind that overlooks one of the many ponds. Sturdy walking shoes and bug spray are recommended. As you get closer you will need to travel off the path, so watch you step. I have replaced this container a few times, so you are looking for a camo pill bottle at about eye level for a medium size person.
For more information about the Geo-Quest visit the Harlingen Parks and Recreation website by going to www.myharlingen.us and clicking on the Parks and Recreation Tab.