Williamson County planning new trail connecting Leander and Round Rock

LEANDER, TEXAS (KXAN) -- Williamson County leaders are asking residents in Round Rock's Vista Oaks neighborhood to weigh in on plans for a new trail.

The trail would run through a greenbelt directly behind the neighborhood, eventually connecting Southwest Williamson County Regional Park in Leander with the Brushy Creek Regional Trail in Round Rock.

The two-mile route would cut through a greenbelt in Vista Oaks, adding a ten-foot-wide paved path.

The goal is to connect neighborhoods, parks and schools and be accessible to a variety of users.

"This trail is part of a long-term master plan for Williamson County to improve connectivity and accessibility for residents to get from some of our local parks to other trails in the area," said County Parks Director Russell Fishbeck.

That master plan includes a larger vision of connecting Georgetown, Cedar Park, Brushy Creek, Round Rock, and Hutto with a walking and biking path.

The county parks department plans to meet with Vista Oaks residents in a series of open-house events in the open-air pavilion at 3420 Vista Hills Drive in Round Rock.

Open houses will be held on:
Thursday, July 18, from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 20, from 9-11 a.m.
Tuesday, July 23, from 6-8 p.m.

"There's folks that have come to us to express some concerns about the proposed trail," Fishbeck said. "[The meetings will] educate and inform residents about the proposed trail and some of the elements of it. How it might be constructed. How it could align and fit with that environment and provide usability accessibility for those residents and others alike."

The money for the new trail is coming from voter-approved parks bonds from 2019 and 2023.

While a final price hasn't yet been determined, it's estimated it'll cost at least two million dollars.

More information about the trail and the open houses can be found on Williamson County's website.