Lakewood Park to open Sept. 5 in Leander

Leander's Lakewood Park will open to the public Sept. 5 with reserved time slots for social distancing.

The 125-acre park, located at 2040 Artesian Spring Crossing, Leander, includes a recreation lawn, picnic areas, an off-leash dog park, a nature trail, lakeside pavilions, kayak rentals and other amenities. Lakewood Park was previously scheduled to open in spring 2020.

Opening day activities include tours, caricature art, princesses, bee demonstrations, sidewalk-chalk artists and balloon twisters, according to an Aug. 28 release. All amenities will be open for use.

Time slots are limited to 100 people per time period, and registration is available on the city website. Reservations are required only for Sept. 5.

The $8.75 million project was paid through 2018 general obligation bonds, 2018 parkland dedication fund, 2016 general obligation bond proceeds, 2016 parkland dedication funds and a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant, according to the city. Some project additions are not yet complete, such as a possible stage, some signage, some fencing and irrigation, and seeding on the great lawn area, city spokesperson Mike Neu said.

Leander City Council will discuss the park's pavilion rental rates at its Sept. 3 meeting.