LCRA is exploring the possibility of creating a park in Blanco County and has entered into a conditional contract to purchase land there.

The 222-acre tract is known as Rainbow Trout Farm and has frontage on U.S. Highway 281 and the Pedernales River in Blanco County and Johnson City. It is near the Blanco County Fairgrounds.

A 90-day due diligence period has begun, during which LCRA staff is evaluating the land’s suitability for a park that will serve Blanco County residents and the region. Purchase of the land is contingent on approval by LCRA’s Board of Directors. A vote could come in September or October. The Board, through the approval of LCRA’s Business Plan and Capital Expenditures Plan for FY 2009 in June, has directed staff to pursue the acquisition of land for an LCRA park in Blanco County.

If the land is purchased, a master planning process would begin. Public input would be sought to help determine the types of outdoor recreation facilities and activities citizens would like to see in their county. The park would help meet community needs for additional opportunities to enjoy the out of doors.

“A new park would be wonderful for the community and certainly would create more opportunities for all the citizens of Blanco County to enjoy the out of doors,” said Blanco County Judge Bill Guthrie. “We look forward to working with LCRA on such a possibility.”

The land is centrally located in Blanco County and is only a 15-minute drive from Blanco. It meets all the basic site criteria established by LCRA for such a project, including accessibility to all citizens of Blanco County and major water frontage. LCRA parks must be located in the Colorado River watershed.

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 the Texas Hill Country 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 10 statutory counties along the river. The trail was intended to help conserve natural resources and provide recreational opportunities in the region. Currently, Blanco County does not have an LCRA park.