Hays County Announces Position On Private Property Acquisition For Regional Trail System

“We want to assure them (property owners) that eminent domain acquisition for this project is not possible – and we will not support a trail forced on residents who don’t want it…”

Hays County Courthouse, TX – The Emerald Crown Regional Trail Work Group, formed to investigate the possibility of bringing a Buda-Kyle-San Marcos connected hike-and-bike trail system to Hays County, is holding three public meetings to gather input and answer questions from residents about their desire to have the proposed trail and the route it should ultimately take if approved.

The group initially presented its ideas to the Hays County Commissioners Court in January.

Emily Barber, Hays County government’s representative to the Work Group, explained that because the planning process is in its very early stages, now is the time for citizens to share their thoughts about the need for a trail and the routes it could take if the plan moves forward.

She also noted that Hays County only supports trails on public right-of-way, through public parks and open space, or through easements or property that has been willingly donated. Barber said, “We know that if this plan goes forward, landowners along the desired route may have concerns about property acquisition, but we want to assure them that eminent domain acquisition for this project is not possible – and we will not support a trail forced on residents who don’t want it.”

Meetings will be held March 27 at the San Marcos City Park Rec Hall, 170 Charles Austin Dr.; March 28 at Buda City Hall Council Chambers, 121 S. Main St.; and March 29 at Kyle City Hall, 100 W. Center St.

All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. with a presentation, followed by discussion of possible routes and trailhead locations.

Regional Trail Work Group members include the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance; Hays County; the cities of Buda, Kyle and San Marcos; the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University; the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust; the Hill Country Conservancy; the Texas State University Geography Department; and Take-a-Hike San Marcos.