Local officials broke ground on John D. and Byrd Mims Garison Memorial Park on July 30, marking the beginning of the construction phase. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
On June 16, the Buda City Council approved a $13.9 million contract with SpawGlass Contractors Inc. for the construction of a new park, located on 40 acres along Onion Creek.
Officials from the company, city, Hays County and state broke ground on John D. and Byrd Mims Garison Memorial Park on July 30, marking the beginning of the estimated yearlong construction phase.
The first phase of park construction will include the completion of a variety of offerings, according to a news release, including:
A swimming hole with water access points
A kayak and canoe launch, with a washing station
Trails made of concrete and decomposed granite trail, connecting to the Onion Creek Trail
A canopy walk and bird blind
An overlook with elevated views of the creek
Restroom facilities, two parking lots and an open pavilion
Restoration of open prairie areas and native landscape
Garison Park Phase 1 will feature walking trails, water access points, picnic areas and more once completed. (Courtesy city of Buda)
“With the city's efforts to build this park, we're going to create the backdrop for countless memories for people today and generations to come,” Buda City Manager Micah Grau said. “The land we stand upon has deep history and represents a legacy that we intend on preserving and honoring.”
The details
The park has been a major objective for the city since the land was purchased in 2016, Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky said.
The project is being funded through Proposition B and supplemented by Proposition A of the 2021 Buda Bond, $6.9 million from Hays County and a $750,000 non-urban outdoor grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky spoke on the impact John D. and Byrd Mims Garison Memorial Park will make on the local community. (Michael Milliorn/Community Impact)
“You voted for this park, and today it becomes real,” Urbanovsky said. “Buda is one of the fastest-growing communities in Central Texas. It's projects like this that make sure families have room to get outside and enjoy what we cherish so much here in Buda.”
Quote of note
“This park is going to provide flood mitigation for people downstream,” District 45 state Rep. Erin Zwiener said. “It's going to provide aquifer recharge. It's going to provide wildlife habitat. Maybe the most important thing parks provide is a pathway for other people to fall in love with the outdoors. A park like this that is just yards from downtown Buda provides essential access to members of this community.”
Looking ahead
The first phase of construction on John D. and Byrd Mims Garison Memorial Park is projected to be complete by summer 2027.
Public access to the park will be restricted for the duration of the construction. Additionally, Garrison Park Road north of downtown will be an active construction zone.“We all remember COVID, and we all remember what it was like back in 2020. The one saving grace for our citizens was the availability of parks,” said Walt Smith, Hays County Precinct 4 commissioner.
