Check out three Hays county government updates, including the opening of a new park preserve, the filing of grant applications for over $400,000 in emergency response equipment and training, and a major funding increase for a social services organization.
1. Hays County opens 175-acre park preserve
Hays County officials and parks department staff celebrated the opening of Karst Canyon Preserve on March 27. The 175-acre preserve features a stretch of Dry Cypress Creek, the Wimberley Bat Cave and a habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
The big picture
Karst Canyon is the biggest addition to the Hays County park system in a decade. The preserve is located in the Greater Jacob’s Well Natural Area.
The Watershed Association purchased the site in 2019, stopping the established plans for high-density development of more than 1,000 residential lots. Hays County purchased the land in 2025 with funding from the Parks and Open Spaces Bond.
How we got here
The two entities, in partnership with Hays County Master Naturalist volunteers, prepared the land for public access following the purchase. The efforts included:
Trail cutting and clearingInstallation of maps, signage and wayfinding markersConstruction of benchesCompletion of biological and karst surveysThe preserve features distinctive karst landscaping, shaped by soluble limestone that forms sinkholes, caves and springs. The terrain is essential for recharging the Trinity Aquifer and supporting regional water sustainability, according to the release.
2. Hays County applies for over $400K in emergency response grants
Hays County could gain up to approximately $411,000 in state funding to support emergency and incident response through six grant applications following approval March 10 from the Hays County Commissioners Court.
In a nutshell
The Hays County Office of Emergency Services, Hays County Sheriff’s Office and Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office will submit grant applications to programs supporting local threat and hazard preparation, terrorism and targeted violence prevention and expanded officer training.
Looking ahead
A date has not been set for when grant recipients will be announced.
3. Hays County approves one-time 400% funding increase to social services organization
Southside Community Center is getting a $100,000 boost to support housing security in Hays County, following approval from Hays County Commissioners Court on March 24.
The overview
The one-time stipend is financed by the Tobacco Settlement Fund, distributed annually by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The fund will support Southside Community Center’s home stabilization program.
Diving deeper
Commissioners emphasized that the $100,000 amendment is a one-time funding addition and will not set a new precedent for the organization’s budgeted annual funds from the county moving forward.
The original county contract with Southside Community Center provided $25,000 in funding. Additionally, the county committed $25,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the organization, bringing the total allocated funding to $150,000.