A new park situated on 40 acres of natural area along Onion Creek is expected to break ground in Buda this summer.

John D. and Byrd Mims Garison Memorial Park is located just north of downtown, the Buda Amphitheater and City Park. Construction is scheduled to begin in late July, with completion slated for summer 2027, according to a news release.

Buda City Council took an important step toward beginning the project construction June 16 by approving a $13.9 million construction contract with SpawGlass Contractors Inc.

Quote of note: "Garison Park has been part of Buda’s vision for outdoor recreation since before the bond," Mayor Lee Urbanovsky said in the release. "Construction starting this summer means residents will soon have a place to swim, paddle, walk the creek, and connect with the land right in their own backyard."

On June 28, the Edwards Aquifer Authority, or EAA, celebrated its 30th year of serving the community. To celebrate the milestone, the EAA released an episode of its Recharge Zone Podcast detailing the agency’s history and future, is holding a "Rooted in Saving Water: Conserve and Share It" photo contest and released a celebratory and instructional YouTube video.

The gist: The EAA is a regional water management agency responsible for regulating the use of the Edwards Aquifer, a resource that provides water to a large number of Texans and municipalities.

In 1993, the Texas Legislature adopted the EAA Act, a piece of legislation that created the EAA as a political subdivision of the state to preserve and protect the aquifer, according to the EAA website. The act was passed to keep the federal government from taking control of the aquifer under the Endangered Species Act.

Also of note: The EAA’s photo contest aims to celebrate the history of the agency by highlighting community members’ efforts to preserve the aquifer.

Check out Austin area stories trending June 29-July 2.

1. Plans filed for proposed gas station, retail center near Hutto-Georgetown-Round Rock border

2. Developer of The Domain partners with legacy family on 1,200-acres

3. Dirty soda drink shop to open in San Marcos

4. Lagoon-anchored Leander Springs development advances to Leander City Council

5. Hopdoddy Burger Bar acquired by New York-based restaurant group

6. Closer to care: Bastrop explores path to full-service hospital

Blind and low vision travelers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport now have access to Aira Explorer, a free app that provides on-demand visual interpreting assistance throughout the travel process at AUS. 

How it works: The app connects travelers with a professionally trained visual interpreter and utilizes the traveler's smartphone camera and microphone to provide real-time assistance for a variety of travel-related tasks. Interpreters can: 

• Describe surroundings
• Read signs and information displays
• Help with navigation throughout the airport, including curbside drop-off locations, airline check-in counters, security checkpoints, and gates
• Locate amenities such as dining options, shops, bathrooms and pet relief areas