The city of Buda announced Aug. 8 that it acquired 4.5 acres of land that will be added to Garison Park, which will be completed through the city's 2021 bond.
The background
The city purchased the park land in 2016, which is around 40 acres of undeveloped land with direct access to Onion Creek and other outdoor recreational activities. Garison Park is located at 711 Garison Road, and the newly acquired land is located at 901 Garison Road.
There is also a master plan for Garison Park, which looks at its current state and provides potential uses for the land with specifically outlined goals:
- Engage the community with unique programming opportunities
- Protect and enhance the site through responsible conservation
- Reveal the cultural history of the site through design elements and storytelling
Proposition B of Buda's November 2021 bond has $6 million earmarked for Phase 1 of improvements throughout the entirety of the park, which is in the preliminary design phase and slated to cost up to $11 million. Hays County pledged nearly $1 million for the new land acquisition, according to a news release.
Phase 1 improvements include:
- Park and land restoration
- Addition of parking lots
- Construction of pavilions and restrooms
- Public access to Onion Creek
- Construction of nature center
- Additional parking and programming
- Restoration of McCaughan homestead
“Acquisition of this property was a priority for City Council as it creates opportunities to better connect our trail system and to build out the future Garison Park,” City Manager Micah Grau said in the release. “It helps us preserve sensitive land adjacent to Onion Creek and to expand programming space for Garison Park and future mobility improvements in the area.”
What's next?
The city recently held a virtual open house seeking feedback from residents and the community over the proposed details and plans for Garison Park improvements.
Following input from the open house, the final construction plans will be finalized, and bids for construction will begin.
For more updates on Garison Park and other bond projects, visit the Buda Bonds website.
