Austin Parks Officials To Unveil Yarrabee Bend

AUSTIN, TX — Parks officials and dignitaries will gather at the Onion Creek Metropolitan Park on Saturday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the Yarrabee Bend featuring nearly nearly 300 acres of natural parkland and recreational space.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the ceremony in joining City of Austin officials, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and members of the U.S. Army Corpo of Engineers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, 8652 Nuckols Crossing Rd., on Saturday, June 22, at 10 a.m. In addition to Doggett, scheduled speakers include Col. Kenneth Reed of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mayor Steve Adler, Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza and officials from various City of Austin departments.

The new Yarrabee Bend Area of Onion Creek Metropolitan Park features 190 acres of parkland converted to its natural state and 100 acres designated for recreation. This includes 30 pavilions including a large gathering pavilion, in addition to numerous medium and small group pavilions with picnic tables and grills. The site also provides park patrons with granite loop trails of ¼ mile, ½ mile and 1 mile, a new restroom facility, and new parking lots.

Historical Background

After a 1998 flash flood in the area, the City of Austin invited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to partner with the City to address the flooding problem. This 20-year project was made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department, Office of Real Estate Services, and the Parks and Recreation Department.

The City of Austin bought 483 properties helping residents relocate to areas safe from flooding. With buyouts completed in 2017, park construction began in 2018.

This area will join the additional 400 acres under development to the south as part of the Onion Creek Metropolitan Park.

City of Austin map.