The City will celebrate the third phase of improvements to San Gabriel Park at 9 a.m. Aug. 29 at the San Gabriel Park Plaza, 445 E. Morrow St. Parking will be available in the large parking lot along Morrow Street next to the event lawn. Light refreshments will be provided.

The $7.5 million Phase 3 of the San Gabriel Park improvements project includes a large multi-use pavilion, a splash pad plaza, a new restroom building, a new skate park, event lawn, and roadway and parking improvements.

“We are excited to announce the completion of San Gabriel Park Phase 3, which introduces exciting new amenities such as the City’s latest splash pad and the event lawn,” Georgetown Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Garrett said. “The skate community has also been eagerly anticipating the opening of the new skate plaza, and we’re delighted to provide these recreational spaces. It’s incredibly rewarding to enhance our City’s greenspaces and offer new opportunities for the community to come together and enjoy the outdoors.”

Choice Builders LLC was the contractor for Phase 3, and RVi Planning and Landscape Architecture was the design firm.

Voters approved funding for the improvements in a 2008 bond package.

A future phase of the San Gabriel Park project includes improvements to the remaining areas of the park. The San Gabriel Park Master Plan, which was completed in June 2015, identified improvements to be completed in phases to limit park disruptions.

The Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate the opening of the Heritage Community Garden, 2100 Hutto Road, with a garden party at 9 a.m. June 16.

The event will feature the unveiling of a new mural by local artists Josh Eller and Emma Gottschalk on the garden’s cistern, as well as booths from local nature-related organizations. Light refreshments will also be provided.

The renovated community garden features 25 in-ground garden beds, 48 raised beds, and eight ADA-accessible beds, which are open for gardeners to begin planting flowers, vegetables, and fruit. Garden beds are available by reservation only, which may be renewed annually.

The garden will be open daily for gardeners from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The garden area is secured with a chain-link fence.

Other renovations to the community garden include a new restroom facility, concrete sidewalks, a lighted parking lot, and a dumpster with a designated area for green waste that will be recycled offsite.

The City has also partnered with the Williamson County Beekeepers Association, and hives will be constructed onsite in a separate area.

To find more information about the garden visit parks.georgetown.org/heritage-community-garden.

The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting reservations for plots at the Heritage Community Garden, 2100 Hutto Road.

The renovated community garden features 25 in-ground garden beds, 48 raised beds, and eight ADA accessible beds, which will open March 1, 2022, for gardeners to begin planting flowers, vegetables, and fruits.

Plots are on a first-come, first-served basis, and plots will be assigned by City staff. Leases run from March 1 through Dec. 31, 2022, and may be renewed annually. Fees are paid annually and are not prorated.

The garden will be open daily for gardeners from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. The garden area is secured with a chain-link fence.

Other renovations to the community garden include a new restroom facility, concrete sidewalks, a lighted parking lot, and a dumpster with a designated area for green waste that will be recycled offsite. The total project cost was $275,000.

The City is also partnering with the Williamson County Beekeepers Association, and hives will be constructed onsite in a separate area.

A grand opening celebration for the garden is expected to be held in March. More details will be announced when they are available.

To find more information about the garden, or to reserve a plot, visit parks.georgetown.org/heritage-community-garden.

The City will celebrate the grand opening of Garey Park on June 9 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

“We are excited to celebrate the opening of this green oasis within our city that is sure to become a regional destination for outdoor recreation and special events,” Mayor Dale Ross said. “We hope many of you are able to join us for this historic event.”

Park gates will open at 9 a.m. for the event that will feature tours of Garey House, food trucks, pony rides, a petting zoo, fly fishing demos from the San Gabriel Fly Fishers, information from the Good Water Master Naturalists about wildlife viewing and the nature trail along the river, a temporary tattoo station from the Georgetown Public Library and more. The Georgetown Animal Shelter and Ride On Center for Kids will also be at the park for the opening event.

The ribbon cutting will be at 10 a.m., and other activities will be available throughout the event. The park will remain open to visitors until 8 p.m.

Amenities at the park include a playground, a splash pad, a dog park, an equestrian arena, the Garey House event space, pavilions, two fishing ponds, 4.7 miles of hiking trails, and 4.2 miles of equestrian trails.

At 525-acres, Garey Park is one of the largest city parks in the state and is roughly 1.5 times the size of Zilker Park in Austin. To maintain and plan programs for the City’s largest park, Garey Park will be staffed with six full-time and three part-time employees, including a park foreman, recreation coordinator, recreation specialist and group sales and servicing coordinator.

To help offset some of the operating and maintenance costs, there will be an entry fee for residents of $5 for two people, and for nonresidents of $10 for two people. Each additional person will be $2. The City is also offering annual park passes for $100 for residents and $150 nonresidents. These fees only cover a portion of the City’s annual operating costs and will allow the City to run this regional park in a manner in which Georgetown and the Garey family can be proud.

Park entrance fees will be waived for the first two weeks of operations. Park admission fees will begin on June 25. No admission fees will be collected on Tuesdays from Sept. 1-May 31. Park hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. from April 1-Sept. 30 and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. from Oct. 1-March 31.

The park, which is located along the South San Gabriel River at 6450 RM 2243, was donated by Jack and Camille Garey in 2004 along with $5 million for park development. In 2008 Georgetown voters approved a bond for an additional $10 million for the park’s construction. The total project cost of $15 million included $1.5 million for design and $13.5 million for construction.

For more information about the park, visit parks.georgetown.org/gareypark.

The City will celebrate the grand opening of Garey Park on June 9.

At 525-acres, Garey Park is one of the largest city parks in the state and is roughly 1.5 times the size of Zilker Park in Austin.

The park, which is located along the South San Gabriel River at 6540 RM 2243, was donated by Jack and Cammy Garey in 2004 along with $5 million for park development. In 2008 voters approved a bond for an additional $10 million for the park’s construction.

“The City is thankful for this tremendous gift from the Gareys that has become a public park for all of us to enjoy,” Mayor Dale Ross said. “Garey Park will be a regional destination for outdoor recreation as well as a beautiful Hill Country setting for special events. With features similar to those found in state parks, this park is surely a gem for the City of Georgetown, and one that our residents and visitors will enjoy for many years to come.”

Amenities at the park include a playground, a splash pad, a dog park, an equestrian arena, the Garey House event space, pavilions, 3 miles of hiking trails, and 6 miles of equestrian trails.

Other facilities include an entry gate, restrooms, and a maintenance facility.

“I am looking forward to the seeing the finished project and enjoying the park,” Jack Garey said. “There is a lot for everyone to enjoy.”

The City broke ground on the park in March 2017. Construction was completed by Ritter-Botkin Prime Construction Co. of Pflugerville and Austin-based Halff Associates completed the park’s design.

Details for the grand opening celebration are still being finalized.

The City will host a reopening celebration at 6 p.m. on April 6 for VFW Park at 401 E. Second St.

The event will feature a presentation from Mayor Dale Ross, who also will throw out the first pitch in the reconstructed softball fields as well as unveil a “First Purple Heart City in Texas” sign and a plaque dedicated to Purple Heart Medal recipients.

Refreshments, including hot dogs and sodas, will be available.

The Georgetown Youth Girls Softball Association will play games at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. following the ceremony.

Smith Contracting of Austin completed the park’s reconstruction, which included a complete rebuild of the three softball fields, concession stand and restrooms as well as parking improvements, field lighting, a batting cage, bleachers and a playground.

The $1.4 million project took about a year to complete and was designed by Austin-based Luck Design Team.

The City will break ground on Garey Park on March 31 at 2 p.m. at Garey House, 6450 FM 2243.

The 525-acre ranch, which is located along the South San Gabriel River, was donated by Jack and Cammy Garey in 2004 along with $5 million for park development. In 2008 voters approved a bond for an additional $10 million for the park’s construction.

Upon completion, Garey Park will become the City’s largest park, which is roughly 1.5 times the size of Zilker Park in Austin.

Amenities at the park will include a playground, a splash pad, a dog park, an equestrian arena, the Garey House event space, pavilions, and more than 6 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

Other facilities include an entry gate, restrooms and a maintenance facility.

Construction of the park is expected to be completed in early 2018 with the park opening in spring 2018.

City Council approved a $10.7 million contract Feb. 14 with Ritter-Botkin Prime Construction Co. of Pflugerville for the Garey House renovation and park construction. Austin-based Halff Associates completed the park’s design. The total budget for the project is $13.5 million.

The Garey Park site is on FM 2243 approximately 6 miles west of I-35. The groundbreaking event will be near the Garey House. Parking is available near the groundbreaking site.