Garey Park Phase 2 construction is expected to begin in 2025. The proposed Retreat Pavilion can be rented alongside three group cabins nearby or individually. (Rendering Courtesy Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department)
Garey Park Phase 2 construction should begin in January or February 2025, Georgetown’s Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Garrett said during a City Council workshop Aug. 27.
The backstory
In 2004, Jack and Cammy Garey donated 525 acres of land to Georgetown, along with $5 million for initial constriction of Garey Park, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Garey Park officially opened in June 2018 after breaking ground in March 2017.
Following Jack Garey’s death in 2022, Garey Park was named as a beneficiary in his will, and the city has $20 million to spend on additional park developments within five years of his passing, or by March 2027. Renovations for Phase 2 are set to use the remaining funds from Jack Garey’s will.
About the project
At the workshop, Garrett discussed several updates on renovations for the park, which are expected to be completed by December 2025, she said.
Garey Park Phase 2 was first introduced to the council in March 2023 and last discussed during a November 2023 council workshop, Garrett said.
Park entry: Trailhead, parking, restroom and a flashing beacon by the park’s entrance
Garey House expansion: Interior renovation and paved parking, enclosed outdoor space to add seating for 75 and increase house capacity to 200
Cabins: Three group cabins, parking and RV host sites
Retreat Pavilion
Garey Play Ranch: Expanded play area, play equipment, additional pavilions, shade and restroom
Amphitheater: 300 seat capacity, parking and restroom
Garey Memorial Pavilion
Equine facility improvements: Fixing drainage in the arena and turning cobblestone walkways into a harder surface for horses
Skate Ranch: Skate park, pump track and restroom
Trail surfacing: Improving conditions of equestrian and pedestrian trails
Fishing pier: Added to lower pond
Mountain bike trails
Disc golf: An 18-hole course
Dog Ranch: Adding paved walkways
Cedars tree cleanup
A map of Garey Park shows both existing features and future projects. The brown lines in the map are trails and gray lines are roads. (Courtesy Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department)
Diving in deeper
Garey House, the Garey family’s former ranch within the park, has different event spaces that can be used as a wedding venue, one of which is an outdoor courtyard currently seating 125.
Rental numbers are down during hot seasons, Garrett said, so renovations will enclose the outdoor courtyard event space, increasing capacity to 200. Renderings show large glass doors that can open or close.
“[200] is a really good number for an event venue,” Garrett said. “[Enclosing the space] will help eliminate a lot of rain plans that have to be done.”
The proposed renovations aim to enclose the outdoor courtyard. (Rendering courtesy Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department)
Southwest of Garey House will be The Retreat Pavilion, which will include a 1,500 square-foot air-conditioned assembly area that will seat 60-75 people. The pavilion will have adjustable garage doors and a serving kitchen. The three retreat cabins nearby can be rented in conjunction with the pavilion or individually and vice versa, Garrett said.
The group cabins near the Retreat Pavilion are set to have:
Eight bunks fitting 16 beds
Restrooms and showers
A counselor room with a separate bathroom
Storage
Outdoor seating
A serving area
Garey Park Phase 2 construction is expected to begin in 2025. The proposed Retreat Pavilion can be rented alongside three group cabins nearby or individually. (Rendering Courtesy Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department)
East of the Retreat Pavilion will be the Skate Ranch with about 23,000 square feet for the skate park and 670 linear feet for a pump track—an area designed for wheeled equipment like mountain bikes.
Construction for park improvements and the cabins is expected to begin in the first two months of 2025 and take nine months, following the expected submission of the site development plan in September, Garrett said. Garey House construction is expected to take four months and start in May 2025 to accommodate for already planned spring 2025 rentals.
The Garey Park Donor Advised Fund, held by CTCF, totals $20 million plus interest, and the city has an additional $1 million donated for the Garey Memorial Pavilion. Construction is expected to cost $23.8 million, which was estimated after 90% of the design was completed.
“It is a big project, and we’re getting close to the finish line, at least to start construction,” Garrett said.
