Hays County will hold its first open house for the design and development of Cape's Pond Park on May 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the Dunbar Recreation Center, located at 801 Martin Luther King Drive in San Marcos.

About the project

The park will be approximately 28.7 acres and will include a 5.8-acre pond, according to a news release.

The county acquired the land in 2020 through a 2018 transportation bond. The scope of the project expanded after the county met with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department—which operates a fish hatchery next to Cape's Pond Park—and the project shifted to include TPWD's Neighborhood Fishin' program.

The Neighborhood Fishin' program aims to encourage families to fish by allowing children age 16 and under to fish for free. Potential park amenities include:

• Trails
• Rain gardens
• Playgrounds
• Open space

The project may also have an activity center, restrooms and paved parkings spaces.

One more thing

The county will also conduct an online survey from May 16-31. Materials from the in-person open house will be available online.

Hays County residents can visit www.haysparksbond.com/capespond-openhouse to learn more about the project.