Hutto officials consider nearly $4M in park improvements

• $45,000 for restroom and pavilion renovations;
• $15,000 for existing sports infrastructure improvements;
• $671,000 for basketball court improvements;
• $63,000 for water feature and trail improvements; and
• $293,000 for site work, markup and contingency.

Proposed improvements to Creekside Park, located at 305 Orchard Way, total $1.35 million. The projects are broken down as follows:

• $45,000 for restroom and pavilion renovations;
• $257,000 for parking lot improvements;
• $5,000 for backstops;
• $682,000 for two new sports fields; and
• $366,000 for site work, markup and contingency.

Proposed improvements to Community Park, located at 514 S. Pauley Drive, total $473,000. The projects are broken down as follows:

• $115,000 for basketball court improvements;
• $230,000 for new restrooms; and
• $128,000 for site work, markup and contingency.

Funding for these projects will come from the park improvement fund. The balance of the fund is around $1.7 million, meaning the city will not be able to pursue all the proposed projects.

The parks board organized the proposed projects into several different priority levels. Priority A projects, the highest priority, include only restroom renovations for the parks and total $192,000.

Parks board Chair Perry Savard said although some are more necessary than others, the proposed improvements are all necessary because improving Hutto's parks will draw in more visitors and residents.

“Parks and recreation is where we’re severely lacking," Savard said. "There is nothing for kids to do in this town right now.”

The council directed city staff to put together a plan for moving forward with all restroom renovation projects, restroom construction at Community Park and lights at Hutto Lake Park. The council will vote on the plan at its next meeting Nov. 18.

"I have no doubt we want our parks to look amazing and be beautiful," Council Member Mandi Villarreal Salvo said. "We don't want people going to Round Rock's parks or Taylor's; we want them here."