About the plan
The final development plan includes:
- Two new parking areas accommodating 82 vehicles
- Emergency parking with 15 spots
- A sidewalk and pedestrian bridge
- San Gabriel Trail extension
- Nature preservation areas
- Paved terraces and maintained lawns
- A canoe/kayak launch point on the river
- Riverbank stabilization
- Intersection and crosswalk improvements
“We're not recommending any sort of typical playground ... equipment here,” project manager Aaron Cooper with consulting firm Halff said at an Oct. 28 City Council workshop. “This could be like rocks and boulders that kids can climb on. It's very informal. It can just work as even informal seating.”
Cooper noted the single-user restrooms would not be “welcoming for someone to spend time in overnight.”
The cost estimate for the development plan comes out to $10.15 million, including the design work, construction and contingencies.
What they’re saying
The city has a total of $7 million earmarked for the project. City Council members gave feedback on the final design, with possible ways to cut down on project costs. District 6 council member Jake French recommended removing the parking and road enhancements in this initial development plan.
”I think that's important ... but I think that's beyond the spirit of what we're trying to do, which is to enhance the natural beauty of Blue Hole Park, and I also think that sort of helps us alleviate a funding issue,” French said.
District 1 council member Amanda Parr said she would want to explore a phased approach to the project, while still having updated parking features.
“I just want to be sure that we do [a phased approach] where the park is in good condition and accessible to those who are excited about using this improved facility as soon as possible,” Parr said. “As much as parking is not that attractive, it is one of the highest priorities that came out through feedback.”
How we got here
Halff has worked with the city since September 2024 to prepare a development plan for Blue Hole Park, gathering community feedback and learning from the July 4 weekend floods, Cooper said.
Almost 2,000 community members gave feedback from December 2024 to July 2025 on what they would like to see at Blue Hole Park.
The typical Georgetown resident lives more than 2 miles from the park, but Halff found it still functions as both a neighborhood and community park, meaning that some people will walk to the park, but most travel to it by car.
Participants said parking amenities are inadequate. Halff also found residents would support additional park features, but the majority preferred restoring and protecting natural areas and enhancing existing activities.
Also of note
During the community feedback period, the July 4 weekend floods swept through Georgetown, causing damage and spreading debris that is still being cleaned up.
The disaster informed the project team on the importance of riverbank stabilization and access for recovery efforts, as well as attention to material selection for new structures, Cooper said.
What’s next
Following council member feedback, the city plans to fund design this fiscal year and begin construction in fiscal year 2026-27.
One more thing
Blue Hole Park and the connecting trails closed Oct. 27 to remove gravel deposits from the riverbank. The ongoing flood cleanup efforts will take about two weeks to complete, according to city communications.
