Onion Creek Metropolitan Park

Onion Creek Metro Park Map (PDF) here

Onion Creek Metropolitan Park Vison Plan

 In 2015, a Vision Plan for Onion Creek Metro Park was completed by the Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Austin Parks Foundation, and adopted by City Council. This plan provides a framework for the future development of 555 acres including the southern portion of the current Onion Creek Metro Park and the adjacent portion of the Onion Creek Greenbelt. The vision plan was developed through a series of four community workshops between March 2014 and March 2015. The plan available below is a culmination of this feedback to provide a vision for the park that reflects the activities and improvements desired by the community.

Onion Creek Metropolitan Park Master Plan Report
View Report (PDF, 26MB), Published on July 17, 2015

Onion Creek Metro Park, Phase 1 Vision Plan Implementation

 The Phase 1 development of Onion Creek Metropolitan Park was completed in 2019. This 50-acre section in the southern part of the park consists of approximately 30 acres of irrigated area including open playfields, a 50-space parking lot, trails, and a perimeter sidewalk. An additional 20-acre natural area to the north has improved nature trails for accessibility into the natural areas of the park and ecological restoration accomplished through selective clearing. The entrance to this portion of Onion Creek Metropolitan Park is at 8652 Nuckols Crossing Road. These 50-acres are maintained through a private service contract paid by the Onion Creek Metro Park District. See below for more information the Onion Creek Metro Park District.

 

Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, North Section Development

 Due to numerous devastating floods and as recommended by a 2006 Army Corps of Engineers watershed evaluation, the majority of homes within the Onion Creek Forest and Yarrabee Bend neighborhoods were purchased and removed. In 2019, approximately 100 acres of the Yarrabee Bend buyout area was developed into a recreation area by the Army Corps of Engineers. This recreation area contains a one-mile decomposed granite loop trail system, parking lot, restroom, large group pavilion and numerous smaller picnic pavilions. This 100-acre park development was added to Onion Creek Metropolitan Park shortly after its completion. The project also provided additional parking for the adjacent Onion Creek Greenbelt off-leash area and playground, trail creek crossing, and additional trail that leads to the Onion Creek Soccer Complex on the northeast side E. William Cannon Dr. The entrance to this north part of the metro park and the Onion Creek Greenbelt is located at 6800 Onion Creek Drive.

Onion Creek Metropolitan Park District

During the 2013-2014 session, the Texas Legislature created the Onion Creek Metro Park District (the District). The District is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors, and one primary purpose of the District is to fund, maintain and operate park improvements within the District boundaries (In District Improvements) and also agreed upon new recreational improvements within the 555 acres of the southern portion of Onion Creek Metro Park and the Onion Creek Greenbelt Corridor as defined by the 2015 Vision Plan (Out of District Improvements). See map below. As a result of the District creation, in 2014, a consent agreement was developed between the City of Austin, Onion Creek Metro Park District and Austin Goodnight Ranch, LP, the developer of the District property to the south of Onion Creek Metro Park. The consent agreement was amended in 2020 to provide clarification to the original consent agreement. The full consent agreement and amendment may be downloaded and viewed below. In addition, more information may be found by downloading the Onion Creek Metro Park District Operations and Maintenance Plan below.

Some of the basic responsibilities of each party set forth in the Consent Agreement are as follows:

 

Onion Creek Metro Park District

• Collect a resident district tax in part for the “planning, design, maintenance and operation, and phased construction, if, as, and when possible, of park and recreation facilities within the District and within [the portion of Onion Creek Metro Park south of Onion Creek].” (On going)
• Operation and maintenance of recreation improvements within the portion of Onion Creek Metro Park south of Onion Creek may be provided through a reimbursement to the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department or a private service agreement. Improvements within the south area of Onion Creek Metro Park are currently maintained by a private service agreement paid by the District. (On going)
• Nominate District Board of Directors for Places 4, 5, 6 and 7. (As Needed)

City of Austin, Parks and Recreation Department

• Nominate District Board of Directors for Places 1,2 and 3. (As Needed)
• Complete Onion Creek Metro Park base park improvements including a 50-space parking lot, 30 acres of irrigated improvements and 20 acres of un-irrigated improvements. (Completed in 2019)
• Fund agreed upon future improvements with parkland dedication fees collected within the District, other available parkland dedication fees, authorized bond funding or other authorized funds. Future improvements will be agreed upon by the City and District based upon the District’s capacity to fund maintenance and operation of the improvements. (On going)

Austin Goodnight Ranch, LP

• Advance funding on behalf of the District to the Austin Parks Foundation for the completion of the Onion Creek Metro Park Vision Plan. (Completed in 2015)
• Advance funding on behalf of the District for In-District park and open space improvements including a 3-mile loop that will provide access from the District to Onion Creek Metro Park. (Partially Complete/In Progress)

Onion Creek Metro Park Consent Agreement: Download (PDF) Consent Agreement with 2020 Amendment Onion Creek Metro Park District Operations and Maintenance: Download (PDF) District Operations and Maintenance Plan Additional information on Onion Metro Park District In-District recreational amenities may be found here: https://www.liveatgoodnight.com/community/park-district

Future Onion Creek Metropolitan Park Development

Future improvements at Onion Creek Metro Park will be funded through parkland dedication fees, voter approved bond funds and potentially grant funds. Any future improvements within the southern portion of Onion Creek Metro will be coordinated and agreed upon by the Onion Creek Metro Park District. Generally, amenities will not be added to the south area of the park until the Onion Creek Metro Park District tax revenue is sufficient to maintain additional items. Under special circumstances and in consultation with the District, the Parks and Recreation Department may add amenities to the southern section of the park that will be maintained by the City. 

Future Projects under Consideration (no funding has been identified)

• Phase 1 Area Completion: Future improvements that are part of the overall phase 1 design include an additional 25 space parking lot, an additional park entry drive off Nuckols Crossing near Tee Dr., pavilions, and additional trails.
• All-Abilities Playground: The Austin Parks Foundation is exploring the addition of an all-abilities playground and associated amenities such as restrooms and parking for the southern section of the park. This project is in early stages of feasibility study and would be funded primarily through a capital campaign to raise private donations. Grants and public funding such as parkland dedication fees may also contribute to the project.