Commission Agenda Item 6
May 22, 2025

• Item Type: Action
• Presenter: Stan David

Disposition of Land – Williamson County – Approximately 56 Acres at Twin Lakes Park

I. Executive Summary:

Staff recommends disposition of 56 acres held by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), known as Twin Lakes Park. Williamson County currently leases the property from TPWD for park operations, and it will benefit both the county and TPWD if Williamson County takes ownership of the property and continues to operate the park. Williamson County has agreed to accept ownership of the property.

II. Discussion:

Twin Lakes Park is located in Cedar Park, Texas, and has been jointly operated by Williamson County and the YMCA for 30 years. Twin Lakes Park offers pavilions, a swimming pool/water playscape, multi-purpose sports fields, an archery range, a beach/swimming area, sand volleyball courts, a ropes course, and an outdoor education area. In 1994, after legislative direction, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) transferred 50 acres of what is now Twin Lakes Park to TPWD, with the requirement that TPWD allow Williamson County to operate the property as a public park.  In 2012, TxDOT transferred an additional 6 acres to TPWD, which was added to the park.

Williamson County and TPWD now seek to transfer full ownership of the property to the county. Transferring the property will reduce operational oversight responsibilities on TPWD. As a condition of the transfer, Williamson County will be required to continue to operate the property as a public park.

III. Recommendation:

Staff recommends that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts the Resolution attached as Exhibit A.”

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Exhibit A – Commission Agenda Item No. 6

A Resolution by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission

Regarding the Disposition of Land

Approximately 56 Acres of Real Property in Williamson County

Resolution

      Whereas, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) owns and leases Twin Lakes Park to Williamson County to provide a variety of recreation, historic, and conservation values; and,

      Whereas, Twin Lakes Park, consisting of 56 acres, has been jointly operated by Williamson County and the YMCA for the past 30 years; and,

      Whereas, Williamson County and TPWD seek to transfer full ownership of the property to the county; and

      Whereas, TPWD staff believe that transferring the property will reduce operational oversight burden on the agency; and,

      Whereas, Williamson County will be required to continue to operate the property as a public park; and,

      Whereas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) finds that as required by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code (PWC) chapter 26, notices of today’s hearing of this matter were published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation that is published at least six days a week in the communities nearest to Twin Lakes Park in which such newspapers are published (Austin American Statesman), with the last day of publication being not less than one week or more than two weeks before the date of today’s hearing; and,

      Whereas, the Commission finds, in accordance with PWC section 13.009, that ownership of the real property is no longer in the best interest of TPWD; and,

      Now, therefore, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the TPWD Executive Director to take all necessary steps to dispose of the subject 56-acre tract of land subject to the purposes and subject to the conditions described herein and in the motion approving this Resolution.

      Adopted and approved this 22nd day of May, 2025.

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Exhibit B – Commission Agenda Item No. 6

Location Map for Twin Lakes Park
Williamson County

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Exhibit C – Commission Agenda Item No. 6

Vicinity Map for Twin Lakes Park
20 Miles Northwest of Austin

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Exhibit D – Commission Agenda Item No. 6

Site Map of Land Disposition
Twin Lakes Park Outlined in Red