Round Rock Progresses on Parks and Recreation Projects Following 2023 Bond Vote

Expanding the Sports Center

In Round Rock, roughly a year after voters approved a $274 million bond package aimed at improvements to parks, recreation, and public safety, progress is evident on several key projects. One of the notable initiatives includes a $22 million project expanding the Round Rock Sports Center at 2400 Chisholm Trail.

A significant investment into the city’s future, this expansion features two full basketball courts that can be geographically divided into four volleyball courts. The project also incorporates additional championship court seating, an auxiliary facility entrance, and an extension to the existing parking lot, according to Sara Bustilloz, a city spokeswoman. Funding stems from a combination of the $20 million from the 2023 bonds and $2 million sourced from the Sports Center Fund, maintained through venue taxes. Completion is projected for early 2026.

The Sports Center currently spreads over an 82,800 square foot area housing six basketball courts, convertible into twelve volleyball courts. The center is a prominent venue for both statewide and national events that cover an expansive range of sports, including judo, table tennis, and cheerleading.

New Fire Station for Efficient Response

An upgrade to the city’s emergency services, a $10 million fire station located at 1730 Old Settlers Blvd., is set to be finished this fall, as per Bustilloz. This strategic location will optimize response times across the city, particularly benefiting the growing eastern portion of the community.

Funds Allocated for Heritage Trail East and The Lawn

The City Council utilized a significant portion of the 2023 bond, $1.9 million, to procure land for Heritage Trail East and The Lawn at Brushy Creek. Additionally, $192,000 from the bond accompanied a $6.3 million grant from the
Texas Department of Transportation for the Heritage Trail East’s construction. Both the Heritage Trail East and The Lawn are currently in the design phase.

Heritage Trail East, a timeline of Round Rock’s history, will span from Mays to Georgetown Streets, along Brushy Creek. Simultaneously, The Lawn at Brushy Creek, a downtown park sprawling over twenty acres, will incorporate a pedestrian bridge and a canoe launch.

Constructing Old Settlers Park and Public Safety Training Center

Further bolstering Round Rock’s public amenities, design work is ongoing for the Old Settlers Park buildout project and the Public Safety Training Center Phase 2 project. The Old Settlers Park project, scheduled for construction commencement in the fall, will include additional water features, more parking spaces, a new larger structure replacing the Lakeview pavilion, a new playground, and six new fields, as well as an expansion of the Adult Recreation Complex.

The Phase 2 project will endow law enforcement with a high-speed driving track and an expanded classroom offering. This will allow the city to provide more training for first responders and eliminate travel expenses for mandatory driving school.