Megan Navarro
SAN MARCOS — Hays County is expanding the team that supports its parks and natural resources.
At its June 10 meeting, the Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to direct the county’s budget officer to include funding in the proposed FY 2026 budget for the establishment of a standalone Hays County Parks and Natural Resources Department, which will include, but is not limited to, additional personnel and equipment.
This also comes on the heels of the county’s Parks and Open Spaces Bond that was approved in 2020, which allocated $75 million to expand parks, preserve natural areas and meet the county’s growing recreational needs.
Additionally, that same year, the Hays County Parks and Open Space Advisory Commission (POSAC) evaluated the 34 proposed projects and established funding and project priorities.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith sponsored the agenda item with commissioner Morgan Hammer, but it was also a project that he worked on alongside former commissioner Lon Shell.
“As the Hays Commissioner in Precinct 3, I strongly support the creation of a standalone Parks Department — a step that is not only long overdue, but also essential to preserving the natural beauty, recreational opportunities and community health of our rapidly growing region,” Hammer stated. “Precinct 3 overflows with natural resources and open spaces that will greatly benefit from this initiative. I am honored to be a part of this process.”
Smith explained that, similar to what happened with the health department last year, given the increased population and number of facilities within Hays County, the court felt strongly that it was time to create a standalone Parks and Natural Resources Department.
“A number of years ago, there was a reorganization in the county prior to me joining the county. There was a reorganization and those departments that weren’t standalone departments [were] all included into what was known as countywide operation,” Smith said. “Countywide operation handles our facilities management, our recycling, our grant department, our health department was in there until this last year … and the parks department is in there.”
The department will continue to oversee the parks and facilities that it currently does, along with newer ones that come on board, like Sentinel Peak Preserve, which is expected to open in the next year or two, Smith explained. Additionally, natural resources, such as the conservation banking of the Regional Habitat Conservation Plan, will be under the purview of the department.
Funding for the establishment of the department will come through the regular budgeting process, with budget discussions beginning this month and running through August and the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Following that, positions for the Hays County Parks and Natural Resources Department, including the director, will begin to be filled.
More information on the Hays County parks bond can be found at www.haysparksbond.com.
