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Round Rock Spending $1 Million On Bathing Beach Project


The cascading water of Brushy Creek is an attraction all by itself, but now the City of Round Rock is investing $1 million to revitalize the old bathing beach area.

It's located on Brushy Creek, north of RR 620 and west of Chisholm Trail. We asked David Buzzell, Round Rock's park development manager, if it's worth the money. "Yes, because if you look at it from sheer economic revitalization, if some parcels turn over there, and commercial offices, businesses come in there it will basically pay for the project," he says.

The bathing beach project is part of an effort to boost the economy and bring in tax revenue, but contrary to its name, it's not being specifically built so people can swim in the creek. "We won't necessarily say this is for swimming, but obviously with a body of water there people usually decide to go into the water at that point," Buzzell says.

We talked to Round Rock residents about the new park.  Don Hebert moved to Round Rock two years ago and lives near the creek. He said his main concern is people bringing glass containers to the park. "People drop a beer bottle or something and somebody cuts their foot, it can get pretty bad," he says.

It's these concerns the city wants to hear about as they make plans for the park. The Parks and Development Department is having a public meeting for the project from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at the McConico Building - Community Room. "It's really an opportunity for citizens to come out and help us design the space and tell us what elements should go in it," Buzzell says.

By Lydia Pantazes