The conversation Sept. 3 was spurred after Bastrop City Council called for the exploration of installing a shade structure for the Rodeo Arena as part of an effort to amend the “Experience Bastrop” Parks Master Plan for Mayfest Park.
The 10-year guiding document was first approved in 2023.
“The due diligence on the shade structure has already started,” Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said during a town hall meeting Sept. 3. “The City Council asked me to engage with an engineer, and we’ve started that.”
What residents said
Prior to citizen comments, Carrillo-Trevino shared survey results from 77 community members and 29 industry experts, which called for a variety of improvements in addition to a shade structure, including:
- Concession, seating and restroom upgrades
- Paved or stabilized parking areas
- Signage and lighting for spectators and participants
- Stall, wash racks and recreational vehicle hookup upgrades for contestants
During the town hall, Margaret Staton—a 12-year-old who competes in barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping—was among the many who voiced her desire to see the Rodeo Arena revamped.
“I have the privilege of traveling around the state and sometimes the country, competing at great facilities where the citizens of those towns have proud ownership of their facility,” she said. “I know having a facility of this magnitude would bring a great joy and opportunity to not only the competitors that live in Bastrop but to all citizens.”
Staton, whose grandfather helped weld the Rodeo Arena and whose father helped paint the arena fence, discussed how several residents would reap the benefits of an improved facility for the Bastrop Homecoming & Rodeo.
“People say the Western way of life is dying, but I have seen firsthand towns much smaller than Bastrop turn into bigger cities when events come to town,” she said. “Thousands of contestants, along with family members and friends, come to see the show, buy fuel and fill up hotels.”
Taking a step back
Amenities at Mayfest Park currently include:
- A covered show barn
- A lighted rodeo arena
- 14 electric/water hookups
- Restroom facilities
- Three picnic tables
- Two small barbecue pits
- A ticket booth
- A concession area
- 11 acres of open space
“If this does look like it’s going to be too expensive to do all of it, then let’s get started on the things that we can do now,” he said.
The outlook
Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris called the town hall, where there were also requests for improved dirt conditions for competitions, a good first step.
“That’s a lot of what this meeting here is about,” he said. “It’s to really set things in motion as far as what you want it to finally look like."
Harris encouraged Bastrop residents to continue to fill out the online survey, which will be available through Sept. 17.
“We have our ideas—I know I, for sure, have mine, but we want to hear what y’all have to say, so we can make this thing work for everyone,” he said.
Next steps include:
- Present public input findings to Bastrop City Council on Sept. 23
- Take amendments to Planning and Zoning Commission for approval Oct. 3
- Hold a public hearing and have the first reading at Bastrop City Council on Oct. 28
- Hold a second reading at Bastrop City Council on Nov. 11
