On March 17 the city of Hutto kicked off the opening of the newly renovated Fritz Park with a ceremony and festivities that were nearly two years in the making.

Since July 2016 the city has worked to renovate or construct three structures—a football field, a baseball/softball diamond and a concession stand sandwiched between the two—that were included in the park’s initial 2008 master plan.

“The old baseball field, football field and concession stand were quite dated. They needed to be replaced,” said Larry Foos, director of the Hutto Parks and Recreation Department. “It was decided the park needed to be redone.”

A master plan for Fritz Park was drawn up in 2008 and included plans for a renovation of Old Hippo Stadium football field, a concession stand, a common area, tennis courts and a playground structure. The plan also called for the reorientation of the baseball field so that the home plate was on the northwest end of the field, facing out toward Hwy. 79.

In July 2016, Hutto City Council approved the utilization of bond funds from a 2009 bond election to renovate Fritz Park, which opened in 2005. In the end, Foos stated the total project cost was $3.65 million.

The city renovated the football field on the park property with a portion of those funds. The football field now has a new irrigation system and an energy-saving light system that can be controlled remotely by parks and recreation officials. Hutto additionally built a grandstand for the football stadium, which can house 400-500 spectators, according to Foos.

Holmstrom Field–the baseball and softball diamond at Fritz Park–was rebuilt with new netting, fencing and sod. The field now includes an expanded shaded spectating area by the intersection of Ross Street and Park Avenue.

“There’s a lot of activity going on in the park. The area connects to a walking trail. Throw all of that in the mix and you’ve got a very active environment,” Foos said.

The city of Hutto is in the process of working on programming to align with Fritz Park’s capabilities. Even before the March 17 reopening ceremonies, the Hutto Farmers Market opened up shop at the Fritz Park Pavilion in the northwest corner of the parkland. The farmers market was forced to relocate due to construction on the Co-Op District site.

Foos stated the city is coordinating with the Hutto Youth Baseball Softball Association to schedule games at the diamond, and two adult softball leagues will operate out of Fritz Park. As well, Foos plans to program a kickball league at the baseball diamond in the fall. The football field at Fritz Park will host youth football and soccer games, and the Hutto Parks and Recreation Department is working to book a rugby clinic on the field.

The two new athletic fields are elements of a larger plan to provide adequate playing fields to Hutto’s growing population, according to Foos.

“As Hutto grows we will definitely need more fields, and we’re looking into that for future land purchases,” Foos stated.