Buda buys land for new park east of I-35

BUDA, TEXAS (KXAN) -- The city of Buda is taking steps to add 30 acres of parkland on the east side of Interstate 35.

Last month, the city purchased the land off Hillside Terrace near the Green Meadows subdivision for $6.1 million.

Once opened, the aptly named "Eastside Park" will be the 15th park facility managed by the city's parks department.

Currently, just two of the city's 14 existing parks are located east of I-35. Those 14 parks cover 363 acres of parkland.

"We're experiencing quite a bit of population growth on the east side," Buda City Manager Micah Grau said. "It was really important that we preserve and dedicate that land now while we could before it was developed."

Grau said the next step is to work with city leaders, the public, and likely an outside consultant to plan the park.

The money to pay for it comes from an $89 million bond election for transportation and park improvements. Hays County is also contributing money from a parks bond passed in 2020.

"We don't have a timeline yet for what that transformation will look like," Grau said. "There is money set aside as part of the bond to do some initial planning and hopefully get it open so people can at least get over there and start enjoying it, maybe as a passive-use park."

The parkland is currently open space with just a few stock ponds on it. Grau said eventually the city would like to connect the park to nearby neighborhoods.