Construction is progressing on Phase 2 of Mission Hill Park, with framework going up for the $12.15 million project’s three-story observation deck.
The details
Phase 2 construction is funded through New Braunfels’ voter-approved 2023 bond election, Proposition B, which passed with 56.87% of the vote, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Phase 1, completed in 2022, provided basic access to the site, including parking and pathways, said Jeff Bransford, New Braunfels park development manager.
Phase 2 will significantly expand amenities and “activate” the park, which sits at one of the highest elevations within city limits and includes the historic Mission Hill homestead site, Bransford said.
The project features a three-story structure, which includes:
- An indoor reading room
- Restrooms
- Observation levels
An elevated canopy boardwalk will also guide visitors from ground level through the treetops to the observation tower, approximately 30 feet above ground. Additional trail improvements and gathering areas are also included, said Scott McClelland, assistant director of
Transportation and Construction Services.
The design reflects years of public feedback gathered through community surveys and a 2018 master plan process, Bransford said. Residents consistently asked for more trails, shaded outdoor spaces, gathering areas and amenities that celebrate local heritage.
“People want places to walk or run, they want to use trails,” Bransford said.”They want places that tap into New Braunfels and the culture of New Braunfels.”
Construction crews are currently completing extensive site work, including utilities, parking improvements and roadway access up the hill. Work is underway on the canopy walkway and observation tower structure, including steel framing and elevator components. The project remains on budget despite the challenges of building on a narrow, rock-heavy site, McClelland said.
What’s next
Substantial completion is anticipated in May, with a ribbon-cutting event planned once the park is ready to open in the summer, New Braunfels Parks Director Ken Wilson said.
