The bond consists of four projects at existing parks or amenities and one new park in the Rough Hollow area:
- Lakeway City Park: $10.65 million
- Lakeway Swim Center Park: $6.02 million
- Live Oak Tennis Courts: $2.72 million
- Butler Rough Hollow Park: $2.1 million
- Lakeway Activity Center: $508,771
Dunaway’s proposal for Lakeway City Park also includes at least one public meeting with community members once Dunaway has done some work on the design for additional input—something City Manager Joseph Molis said the city wants to deliver on. For the Butler Rough Hollow Park project, Dunaway held multiple open houses for feedback, and Molis said he wants that process to set the foundation for Lakeway City Park.
“There may be some choices that council has to make as far as what stays or what gets modified,” Molis said. “We will certainly engage with the community as far as what their priorities are, so that gives [City Council] the information they need to make those calls.”
Dunaway expects the design and engineering phase to take about a year and a half, according to representatives.
In case you missed it
The newly-completed Lakeway Activity Center play structure project includes natural features for a variety of ages, enhanced landscapes, picnic areas and more. It has drawn between 50-100 people a day, Lakeway’s Director of Parks and Recreation Andra Bennett said.
“Good to know we hit the right chord with the community,” Bennett said.
Design plans for Butler Rough Hollow Park were also approved in July, and the city hopes to have the bid package finalized in December or January, Bennett said. The park will include an amphitheater, a mountain bike course, a basketball area and a multisports field. Construction is expected to be completed in one phase around spring 2027.
According to the city, amenities at Butler Rough Hollow Park will include:
- An amphitheater
- A mountain bike course
- A basketball area
- A multisports field
- A ninja course
- A playground area
The final design for Butler Rough Hollow Park was scaled down from original conceptual plans due to cost, with community conversations helping drive those decisions, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Lakeway City Park conceptual plans include a new beginner skills bike park, boardwalk trail, overlook platforms, pickleball courts, an improved skate park and more. Timing for the community engagement process was not available at press time.
A specific tax increase was not approved by voters in the 2024 proposition, but the item did allow the city to levy a tax to pay off the debt.
For fiscal year 2025-26, the city’s overall tax rate was raised by 6.16%. The city’s debt rate—a portion of the overall tax rate used to pay off debt—increased 3.47% due to natural variations, resulting in slightly higher principal and interest, according to the city. Despite the increase, officials said the bond’s tax impact has stayed the same.
Also of note
In October, Lakeway City Council approved the rezoning of Hurst Harbor Marina, located across from Lakeway City Park. The new six-story development known as The Creek at Hurst Harbor is slated to feature 146 condo units alongside restaurant and retail space.
Of the at least 50 comments submitted to the city prior to the decision, one major concern shared by residents at the time was the impact of the development on the neighboring park, both from an environmental and visual standpoint.
Developer and Lakeway resident Rip Miller said the newer development is an upgrade from the marina currently there.
Molis said he does not anticipate the redevelopment of Hurst Harbor Marina to impact plans for Lakeway City Park at this time.
Further down the road, plans are brewing for another nearby park. Earlier this year, Travis County officials held community engagement meetings to gather feedback on proposed improvements to Pace Bend Park. Conceptual plans include additions such as group campsites, an amphitheater, a new habitat observation platform and better beachside amenities. The plan will go before county commissioners in early 2026 for approval.
What happens next?
The city hopes to finalize bid documents for Butler Rough Hollow Park in early 2026 and may select a contractor as early as March, Bennett said.
The city plans to get the Lakeway City Park design underway before starting on the Lakeway Swim Center, followed by the Live Oak Tennis Courts project.
The parks are what draw people to Lakeway, Bennett said, and the bond projects will help that continue.
“In the last few years, we’ve become really dense with families with young kids, but they’re looking for community connections that are more than just going to an event,” Bennett said. “Lakeway is an amazing place to provide that.”
According to the city, project timelines include:
- May 2024: Bond passes
- Sept. 2025: Lakeway Activity Center playground completed
- Nov. 2025: Design firm chosen for Lakeway City Park
- Spring 2026: Contractor chosen for Butler Rough Hollow park
- Spring 2027: Butler Rough Hollow Park completed
- Early 2028: Lakeway City Park completed
- TBD: Lakeway Swim Center completed
- TBD: Live Oak Tennis Courts completed
