LCRA is exploring the possibility of creating a new park in the City of San Saba.

LCRA has under contract two tracts of land located on Mill Creek and the San Saba River. The land adjoins Riesen’s Park and is located across the street from Mill Pond Park. The two tracts total approximately 36 acres. During a 120-day due diligence period, LCRA staff is evaluating the land’s suitability for a park that will serve San Saba County residents and the region.

The LCRA Board, during its FY 2009 planning session, authorized funds to acquire park sites in Blanco and San Saba counties, the only two remaining counties in its statutory district without an LCRA park.

If LCRA were to purchase land for a new park, it would work in partnership with the City of San Saba and the local community to plan, develop and operate it. The intent is for the park to be easily accessible to city and county residents and add vitality to the ongoing improvement of historic downtown San Saba. It also would add a variety of recreational opportunities to existing areas such as Mill Pond Park.

Funding for the purchase would come from the LCRA Public Recreation and Conservation Land Acquisition Fund. It was created primarily of monies from the sale of non-essential, non-utility lands owned by LCRA.

LCRA owns 40 parks along the Colorado River Trail that runs 600 river miles from San Saba County to Matagorda Bay. More than 1 million people have access to the Colorado River and Highland Lakes annually through LCRA’s parks and recreation areas. The LCRA Colorado River Trail Master Plan, developed in 1991, envisions an LCRA park providing access to the river, lakes or a major tributary of the Colorado River in each of LCRA’s statutory counties. The trail was intended to help conserve natural resources and provide recreational opportunities in the region.