BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Why it matters
San Marcos
Future Quail Creek Regional Park
Providing access to green space is import- ant because it allows the city to reap not only the mental health benets but the economic benets of having natural areas and trails within the community, Case said. “We do have folks that travel from out of town … that come to our natural areas for hiking or mountain biking, and some of them are bird-watchers—so they’re coming to our community, enjoying our spaces and then as an additional benet going into our shops and our restaurants,” Case said. Case said the city has several items the community will have the opportunity to weigh in on. “I would just really encourage San Marcos residents to participate in these open houses and surveys so that we can make sure that we’re getting as much input from our community as possible,” Case said.
QUAIL CREEK COUNTRY CLUB RD.
Prioritizing parks, trails and open space looks dierent for the city of San Marcos compared to its neighbors in Buda and Kyle. Parks and Recreation Director Jamie Lee Case said acquiring natural areas has been a priority for the city over the last 20 years, and these land acquisitions allow the city to conserve as much natural area as possible to mitigate ooding and maintain water quality. Trails are also a component of various master plans the city of San Marcos is working on now. Case said the city is focused on gathering additional feedback regarding its riverfront parks system and will develop a master plan for Quail Creek, a new regional park located on a 176.5-acre property at Hwy. 21. The city acquired the property, totaling $8.5 million, in October 2022 through Hays County’s Parks & Open Spaces Bond, American Rescue Plan Act and parkland fee-in-lieu funds—or
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GARY SOFTBALL COMPLEX
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BLANCO RIVER
San Marcos
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21
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SOURCE: CITY OF SAN MARCOSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
parkland dedication fees, according to previous reporting by Community Impact . The city has also partnered with the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, or SMGA, for assistance in constructing trails within the Cottonwood Creek Natural Area. Case said they hope to start that process in early 2025. SMGA is a local nonprot that works to protect the quality of life through the creation of interconnected parks and natural areas.
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SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION
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