Curt Muniz of Buda is unable to block a shot by his stepson Deven Damerau, 14, on Tuesday at City Park in Buda. Nearby, young men were playing pickup hoops, a personal trainer was leading a fitness bootcamp, and parents gave batting practice to young baseball players well into dusk. (Photo by Wes Ferguson)
by WES FERGUSON
The city of Buda owns nearly 250 acres of public park land. What to do with that land is now up for discussion.
From walking trails to athletic facilities, city leaders are seeking public guidance as they plan for the next 10 years of park development in Buda. How should City Park be improved, for example, while still allowing for throngs of revelers at weekend festivals? Also, what should be done with an estimated 200 acres of privately owned, undeveloped property that developers have earmarked for parks?
It’s time for Buda residents to decide.
“The public needs to give us input on what improvements they want to see in the parks, what they want to see added, what they want to see changed,” said Jack Jones, the city’s parks and recreation director. “It’s public property, so obviously you want public citizens to tell you what they want to see, whether in neighborhood parks or community parks like City Park.”
Seeking that feedback as it develops a parks master plan, the city has scheduled an open house at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in the Kunkel Room of Buda Elementary School. A presentation and comment period will follow at 7 p.m.
Last month, City Council members discussed the need for walking and biking trails that connect City Park, Stagecoach Park and other public spaces, in addition to several other suggestions:
• Better parking for major events;
• The use of effluent to water the grass;
• Posting signs that tell park hours of operation;
• More play offerings for different ages, in addition to the skatepark in the planning stages;
• Whether to build a community swimming pool or “splash pad” for children;
• Whether to try to grow grass in City Park or “let it go to dirt.”
Councilwoman Cathy Chilcote also said City Park needs more forest cover and more bathrooms.
“The big open area is conducive to events, but we need more trees,” she said. “The grills are used almost every single weekend, and the upper pavilion is used all the time. We should rethink that whole structure.”
If you go
What: Open house to develop a master plan for Buda parks
When: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9
Where: Kunkel Room of Buda Elementary School, 300 San Marcos St.
