Kyle officially opened its all-wheels skatepark on Nov. 7, designed for riders of all ages and abilities. The park accommodates all non-motorized modes of transport, including skateboards, bikes, scooters, roller skates and wheelchairs.

The overview: At over 34,000 square feet, the city’s all-wheel skatepark is the fifth largest in the state of Texas. The park is big enough to accommodate the community’s continued growth and visitors from the region, said Mayor pro tem Michael Tobias.

The park’s development was funded through a 2020 Kyle bond and a $500,000 contribution from Hays County, totaling $3.4 million in project costs.

Many park features are designed to help community members in wheelchairs move around the space more easily and do more tricks, said Yann Curtis, co-owner of design‑builder SPA Skateparks.

The details: The skatepark has a skate zone, pool bowl, mini bowl and two-lane pump track. The pump track features an outer lane tailored to bike riders and a smaller inner lane, but all riders can use both lanes

On Nov. 7, Hays County Pets Alive! Opened a thrift store location in San Marcos. The store will support operations at the PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, or PAWS, animal shelters in Kyle and Dripping Springs.

The gist: PAWS Shelter of Central Texas and Austin Pets Alive! announced a partnership to support PAWS in September after the organization closed its Kyle shelter due to financial constraints, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

Austin Pets Alive! currently operates thrift store locations across Austin, Round Rock and Pflugerville. The new Hays County Pets Alive! Thrift will provide additional support to PAWS and the organization’s efforts to save animals in Central Texas.

Diving deeper: On Nov. 5, PAWS reopened its Kyle shelter through the partnership with Austin Pets Alive!, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

• 302 University Drive, Ste. B, San Marcos

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Ongoing projects

Kohlers Crossing water line project

Project: Crews will install a 24-inch water transmission line in Kyle from the FM 1626 tanks on the north side of the bridge over the train tracks to the water well at the corner of Benner Road and Kohlers Crossing.

Update: The right lane of westbound traffic on Kohlers Crossing between FM 1626 and Benner Road was closed on Sept. 21. The lane closure is expected to last through December.

• Timeline: August 2026-April 2027

• Cost: $6.4 million-$7 million

• Funding source: 2025 Certificates of Obligation Bonds

Completed projects

Wyoming Springs Drive extension

Project: The project includes construction of a four-lane divided roadway in Round Rock with shared-use paths, extending over Brushy Creek from Creek Bend Boulevard to Old Settlers Boulevard.

Update: The roadway opened to traffic Oct. 22.

• Timeline: November 2024-October 2026

• Cost: $29.7 million

• Funding sources: city of Round Rock, Williamson County

State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving woman and Black legislator in Texas history, said she has the votes to become Texas House speaker when the legislature convenes in January.

What to know: Thompson released a list Nov. 6 of 90 House members whom she said pledged to support her speaker candidacy.

The 87-year-old was first elected to the legislature in 1972 and took office the following year. She would become the first woman and the first Black lawmaker to serve as Texas House speaker.

The context: Thompson's candidacy comes after Democrats swept Texas' statewide seats in the Nov. 3 election, ending 24 years of Republican dominance. Rep. Eddie Morales, D-Eagle Pass, threw his hat in the ring for speaker on Nov. 5 before endorsing Thompson less than a day later.

Quote of note: "I know that with the colleagues that are being sent to the legislature, both Democrats and Republicans working together, we can make a difference in the state of Texas and the lives of the people that we represent," Thompson said.