BY GRANT CRAWFORD & CLAIRE SHOOP
What they’re saying
A closer look
Williamson County Parks Director Russell Fishbeck categorized the projects in the parks proposition into three groups: shared-use paths, facilities and land acquisition.
“There’s going to be a great demand for open space, parkland [and] trail systems—places where people can go and get out of the urban environ- ment,” Hays said.
“The county is adding about 125 people a day, and people are driving here; they’re not walking, so there is signi cant need.”
BOB DAIGH , WILLIAMSON COUNTY SENIOR DIRECTOR OF INFRASTRUCTURE
Facilities
Shared-use paths
NOTE: THIS IS A NONCOMPREHENSIVE LIST OF PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE PARKS PROPOSITION. DOLLAR AMOUNTS LISTED ARE FUNDS FROM THE BOND AND DO NOT INCLUDE ANY CITY OR PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS. • Connection from Southwest Williamson County Regional Park to RM 1431/Sam Bass Road ($2.5M) • Connection from Lakeline Park to Twin Lakes Park, including a pedestrian bridge over Bell Boulevard ($1.8M) • Connection from Georgetown’s Westside Park to Berry Springs Park ($2.9M) • Study a connection from River Ranch County Park to San Gabriel Park ($100K) • Brushy Creek Regional Trail connection from Cedar Park to Round Rock ($3M)
• Construct a visitors center at Berry Springs Park & Preserve ($2M) • Construct a cover over the Williamson County Expo Center’s western arena; add showers and restrooms; acquire land for parking and future expansions ($16.7M) • Construct a zip line and adventure course at Twin Lakes Family YMCA; add parking ($3.9M)
“We’re trying to provide linkages and connectivity to more places where people
need to get to and where they’re able to recreate.” RUSSELL FISHBECK, WILLIAMSON COUNTY PARKS DIRECTOR
Land acquisition
• Acquire land for a future county park or assume responsibility and renovate park at Granger Lake ($25M)
What’s next
Additionally, the county said a 2016 law prevents governing bodies from issuing debt to fund projects included in a bond that was rejected by voters during the previous three years. “There was $6 billion of need identified of all good projects,” Daigh said. “I think that $6 billion number shows the magnitude of a problem that we would have if the bonds did not pass.”
Both Daigh and Fishbeck said if the bond passes, work on included projects will be underway shortly. Fishbeck said this is especially true of many of the trails projects because design for them is already in the works. However, he said if the parks proposition doesn’t pass, it means many of the projects would be delayed, and it may put some of the partner projects in jeopardy. Still, future planning would continue, he said.
Did you know? • The bond represents the largest package ever put before Williamson County voters by nearly double. • Additionally, it comes four years after the county’s last bond in 2019, while previous bonds were six to seven years apart. • Early voting runs from Oct. 23-Nov. 3, and Election Day is Nov. 7.
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