The backstory
In 2004, Jack and Cammy Garey donated 525 acres of land to Georgetown, along with $5 million for initial constriction of Garey Park, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Garey Park officially opened in June 2018 after breaking ground in March 2017.
Following Jack Garey’s death in 2022, Garey Park was named as a beneficiary in his will, and the city has $20 million to spend on additional park developments within five years of his passing, or by March 2027. Renovations for Phase 2 are set to use the remaining funds from Jack Garey’s will.
About the project
At the workshop, Garrett discussed several updates on renovations for the park, which are expected to be completed by December 2025, she said.
Garey Park Phase 2 was first introduced to the council in March 2023 and last discussed during a November 2023 council workshop, Garrett said.
Finalized capital improvements include:
- Park entry: Trailhead, parking, restroom and a flashing beacon by the park’s entrance
- Garey House expansion: Interior renovation and paved parking, enclosed outdoor space to add seating for 75 and increase house capacity to 200
- Cabins: Three group cabins, parking and RV host sites
- Retreat Pavilion
- Garey Play Ranch: Expanded play area, play equipment, additional pavilions, shade and restroom
- Amphitheater: 300 seat capacity, parking and restroom
- Garey Memorial Pavilion
- Equine facility improvements: Fixing drainage in the arena and turning cobblestone walkways into a harder surface for horses
- Skate Ranch: Skate park, pump track and restroom
- Trail surfacing: Improving conditions of equestrian and pedestrian trails
- Fishing pier: Added to lower pond
- Mountain bike trails
- Disc golf: An 18-hole course
- Dog Ranch: Adding paved walkways
- Cedars tree cleanup
Diving in deeper
Garey House, the Garey family’s former ranch within the park, has different event spaces that can be used as a wedding venue, one of which is an outdoor courtyard currently seating 125.
Rental numbers are down during hot seasons, Garrett said, so renovations will enclose the outdoor courtyard event space, increasing capacity to 200. Renderings show large glass doors that can open or close.
“[200] is a really good number for an event venue,” Garrett said. “[Enclosing the space] will help eliminate a lot of rain plans that have to be done.”
Southwest of Garey House will be The Retreat Pavilion, which will include a 1,500 square-foot air-conditioned assembly area that will seat 60-75 people. The pavilion will have adjustable garage doors and a serving kitchen. The three retreat cabins nearby can be rented in conjunction with the pavilion or individually and vice versa, Garrett said.
The group cabins near the Retreat Pavilion are set to have:
- Eight bunks fitting 16 beds
- Restrooms and showers
- A counselor room with a separate bathroom
- Storage
- Outdoor seating
- A serving area
East of the Retreat Pavilion will be the Skate Ranch with about 23,000 square feet for the skate park and 670 linear feet for a pump track—an area designed for wheeled equipment like mountain bikes.
What happens next?
Any residual money from the Garey Park Donor Advised Fund will stay with the Chisholm Trail Community Foundation, Garrett said.
Construction for park improvements and the cabins is expected to begin in the first two months of 2025 and take nine months, following the expected submission of the site development plan in September, Garrett said. Garey House construction is expected to take four months and start in May 2025 to accommodate for already planned spring 2025 rentals.
The Garey Park Donor Advised Fund, held by CTCF, totals $20 million plus interest, and the city has an additional $1 million donated for the Garey Memorial Pavilion. Construction is expected to cost $23.8 million, which was estimated after 90% of the design was completed.
“It is a big project, and we’re getting close to the finish line, at least to start construction,” Garrett said.
