A new Veteran's Park Committee was formed Sept. 19 by Leander City Council.
The new committee was formed as part of a future park the city intends to develop in the Connelly's Crossing subdivision, which is under construction behind the Leander Public Library on Bagdad Road. The land was set aside as part of a development agreement already approved by council, Leander Mayor Chris Fielder said.
"As soon as we made that approval, [Parks and Recreation Director] Steve Bosak took the project and ran with it," Fielder said. "After a lot of discussion, we have some parameters, but we're not looking to spend any money yet."
The purpose of the committee, Fielder said, will be to help raise money for the project and finalize the park's design. Bosak presented some proposed concept plans during the City Council meeting.
"The cost will be worth it once you see it," Bosak told council. "This will be a first-class park, and we tried to put some elements in that will make it unique."
Fielder estimated the park's construction could cost at least $800,000, excluding a veteran's memorial monument. Completion could take anywhere from 4–6 years, he said.
The committee would be in charge of seeking input from local veterans' groups in and surrounding Leander, Fielder said.
"The committee would be open to anyone who would like to be on it," he said, explaining no limit would be placed on the number of participants.
Councilwoman Kirsten Lynch requested that at least 25 percent of committee members hail from Leander. In addition, Fielder requested that he and up to two other council members join the committee. The council agreed to both terms, approving the committee's creation unanimously.